As Cathay Pacific approaches its 80th anniversary in 2026, aviation watchers believe the airline may be preparing a nostalgic nod to its past. A recently spotted aircraft suggests the return of Cathay’s historic green-and-white livery on one of its Airbus A350s, although no formal announcement has been made.
Often referred to as the “Lettuce Leaf Sandwich”, the livery first appeared in the 1970s and remained in service until mid-1990s. It became closely linked to the golden age of flying in Hong Kong, when wide-body jets made low approaches into Kai Tak Airport.
Interest was sparked over the weekend after aviation enthusiasts shared images of a Cathay aircraft undergoing maintenance at a company facility in Xiamen. Photographs taken from outside the hangar appeared to show parts of the classic livery visible behind scaffolding, fuelling speculation that a retro repaint is underway to mark the anniversary year, the Executive Traveller reported.
Earlier this year, Cathay had already tapped into local nostalgia during a special commemorative flight on 30 March, marking 100 years of Kai Tak. An Airbus A350 flew low across Victoria Harbour, passing landmarks including Central, Wan Chai, North Point and the former airport site. The flypast offered residents a rare view reminiscent of Kai Tak’s famous final approach.
Today, the old runway is home to Kai Tak Stadium, which has quickly made headlines of its own. The venue was recently ranked third worldwide for ticket sales in its debut year, underscoring how the area continues to shape Hong Kong’s cultural story, even as Cathay looks back to its aviation roots.
Header Image Credit: Cathay Cargo