Cathay Pacific Uncovered: Moving Beyond? 解鎖國泰航空

I was given a rare behind-the-scenes tour of Cathay Pacific in Hong Kong. Explore cabin crew service training, operation control center, and B747-8 flight simulation.
Inside Cathay City, many new cabin crew are joining Cathay and I joined their training in the aircraft cabin mockup. Many experienced cabin crew members upgraded their skills to serve in First Class. Check out what it takes to be a First Class cabin crew…
Next, I toured Cathay’s Integrated Operation Center (IOC) where a team of professionals performed flight watch and made critical decisions to ensure the smooth operation of the airline. Captain Jon Toller explains how Cathay operates during adverse weather conditions like typhoon.
Then I went inside a full-motion flight simulator of Boeing 747-8F with Captain Obet. We simulated an engine fire during takeoff and how to fly the B747 back to safety. Check out my landing back in Hong Kong Int’l Airport.

[@wangarikaranja6422]

Here after watching video of Sam on his girlfriend's flight to see how they met 😊❤

[@SpoonfulOfTonkatsu]

Clearly I ain't the only one. Fast relationship development eh?

[@andrew-drew]

Who came back here from latest video to check out how they met

[@AbdallahSaleh-go8et]

Me

[@zhangalber9190]

me

[@TheTraveler2222]

what latest video?

[@Artisian12656]

Me too.

[@adioskiddo6172]

🙋🏻‍♂️

[@enjoypladecorrals]

My dad flew Cathay in the 1980s and he loved it. May the old glory days come back for this great airline. Glad to see the multinational crew trainers. I think this will definitely help improve the quality of the service.

[@MsGundbear]

Which route your dad flew? Mine was in Asia (especially in Philippines, then Taiwan and before he retired due to personal sickness. As Mr. Chui did a 747 plane review, it reminded when my dad brought me to the cockpit once and flew with the pilot and I still remembered the bed behind the cockpit. Unfortunately he passed away. he was able to ride and invited to ride once when CP purchased the A350-1000 some years ago as a flight consultant.

[@mirarshadurrahman755]

Air travel these days does not hold much of the glory, as it did in those years, when few people had the opportunity to board a plane. The decency of the crowd approaching the airport is diminishing, as the years keep adding on.

[@balisaani]

That was awesome of Cathay Pacific, to allow Sam to do this 747 simulation, and show him around their offices and operations. Very cool, lots of goodwill for a fellow Hong Konger, but also lots of goodwill spread to the rest of us out there in the world, looking to fly Cathay again. Live long and prosper Cathay Pacific!

[@Alex-ym7tr]

Yeah

[@tonyzhang1975]

很好的多元化 國際化，希望香港越來越好

[@jtr789310]

My best time flying has always been on Cathay Pacific. I think they have one of the best crew in the air and on the ground , from economy to business.Can't say enough how fun and good it is flying on Cathay Pacific. Thank for showing this video Sam they one of the best.

[@joechow3338]

Sam, being a HK citizen, I am proud of Cathay Pacific's achievements over the years. The past four years haxd been the toughest challenge for all commercial airlines. I am happy to see CX coming back to complete with everyone amidst all sorts of adversity. Thanks for the update and this video is a booster of confidence for people like us to continue support of our flag carrier.

[@HK_Aviator]

Same

[@林虤]

What's the meaning of HK citizen? People with HK Permanent Identity Card?

[@donolisting2319]

We are HKCitizen as well,I was lived many years in Hong Kong, I proud of Cathay Pacific airlines. ❤❤❤❤

[@canto_v12]

Same feeling for HK as for CX. ❤❤

[@A2KLAU]

I’m so happy to hear that they address the cabin crew as talent, not just staff or employees. It’s a simple word but actually for a Hong Kong company this word demonstrates a culture that values individuals with their own strengths and weaknesses. Talent is where a company is willing to nurture the best out of them, resource or staff is just squeezing the most out of them. This is the difference.

[@sensology]

Using the word talent instead of employees or people is a bit newspeak and feels disconnected to me. We had to fire 100 talents sounds a lot different than we had to fire 100 people...like it wasn't the Airlines decision but rather someone else's fault

[@A2KLAU]

@@sensology a good business with the right talent shouldn’t need to fire anyone unless they did something very wrong. It feels CX are finding their feet after the unprecedented impact of events from a few years ago, where as others seem to continue using it as an excuse for poor management and treat their “employees” as disposables.

[@travelmystery3273]

But why their talent’s salary lower than a dish washer. So I don't think New Cathay Pacific still values employees.

[@A2KLAU]

@@travelmystery3273 if we only look at a job purely on salary then we miss out on seeing the full package. A dishwasher doesn’t get anywhere near the benefits a cabin crew would, including sustenance allowances and hotel accommodation, whenever they are away. These are just the immediate monetary benefits, but what about the opportunities it opens for future career progression, the experiences gained that opens many doors to other careers? Don’t forget it costs a significant amount to train up a cabin crew member, the training centres make up a significant amount of that cost. A dishwasher would probably get a better starting salary, but would they be able to see the world and experience other cultures as often as a cabin crew would? Do they get better future career prospects?

[@A2KLAU]

@@travelmystery3273 1 word, holistic. If you just look at salary then you’re missing the opportunity to experience other countries and cultures, stay at hotels and sustenance paid for. Plus not to mention future career prospects and professional training on hospitality skills. Dish washer doesn’t get these as part of the whole package. All this training and running of facilities isn’t cheap, so these lovely people will understand it’s an investment into their future.

[@dumboelefunt4690]

Hearing Sam talk about Cathay in Cantonese makes my HKer brain feel so at home. About to fly business with Cathay this December for the first time and I can't wait to see their new business seats!

[@NJay380]

I really like the captain who is in charge of operations control area.. he is a legend ❤

[@janetmariaburke4208]

Sam, Excellent program of events. Yours is unique, plenty fly on planes, boats, trains, review, but you go deep into the whole system of air plane companies. You go behind the scenes. This was Excellant. Thank you.

[@russellatwell784]

I recently flew Cathay Pacific from Melbourne to HongKong and apart from lack of smiles from the crew it was fantastic some of the best inflight food l have had in my travels plenty of room great seats overall very impressive.

[@Rayal1979]

Wow! Sam Chui amd Captain Obet: the crossover episode we never knew we needed! 😂

[@Jeeve_Stobs]

Absolutely loved to see this!

[@hakingoye2335]

As soon as I saw the Cathay 748 Freighter sim I knew he was close by😂

[@ItzChickenYall]

Yea I was excited too

[@Bostonn8]

Outstanding post, informative, clear, and sooooo much fun to watch!! Cathay Looks Amazing!!!

[@ManlyHK1]

Amazing in what sense? Have you tasted the shxt they serve in all classes?!

[@Bostonn8]

@@ManlyHK1 yes and I have no complaints

[@ManlyHK1]

@@Bostonn8 then you haven’t tried the best yet - don’t blindly support businesses that don’t show progress!

[@doubleskinmilk]

Wooow glad to hear u speak in Cantonese❤

[@RoaringKitKat]

Sam is less wierd in Catonese.

[@Insecurity119]

@GamingWithMaddog64 Cantonese specifically...it's not mutually intelligible with Mandarin.

[@personperson143]

​@@Insecurity119written they're almost identical. Spoken they're 2 completely different languages

[@RoaringKitKat]

Sam's Mandarin is also wierd, but definitely a southern china accent. His command of Anglo/ American English is also strange, and doesnt reflect the amount of time he spent in the states. 🤔

[@TracyJackson23]

His parents are from HKG, even though he lived in China as a child. Cantonese is basically his native language with Mandarin.

[@MikeCharlieQWE]

Hi Sam, Thank you for bringing the attention to the public that we have been short of cabin crew since COVID-19. Compared to most other well-known and 5-star airlines, we are generally short of 2-3 crew for different types of aircraft. We really appreciate you or other passengers writing up a report to address this issue for every flight, no matter in the Business class or Economy class, with a longer service lead time, I do believe passengers should have received a better experience given the price they had paid. As an HK local cabin crew, I really appreciate you addressed the question of whether we are transforming into a Southeast Asia airline or not in the last video. The management has recruited a lot of international crew instead of local HK crew post-COVID. They would rather pay an extra ~7.5K HKD for housing allowance to the international crew, instead of paying more to recruit for HK-based crew, that is ridiculous. On most recent flights, some of my friends even share that you would only expect to see ONLY 1 crew who can speak Canto. Appreciate if you could pin this, thanks

[@sararaftery3729]

i flew cathay in the 1990s...best flights ever...british flight crew. international cabin crew, amazing food and just a hands down winner

[@Mik-ly9sp]

When you get to see a video like this with new cabin crew trainees working hard you begin to appreciate how hard all cabin crew work. All airlines all over the world try their best to give us the passengers the best experience while flying with them. And on a personal level the individual cabin crew are working so hard to give you the best possible experience. And as can be seen in this video most of what we receive comes directly from the heart of the individual cabin crew. This is why every time we fly we should always show a very high level of respect back to the crew who do such a beautiful job of looking after us on a flight.

[@edwardwong3074]

I love watching these vlogs Sam. Keep it up. I love flying CX, but it’s so expensive really hope they bring there airfares down a bit next year. I love to fly with CX hopefully twice a year.

[@islandcactus1508]

Obet and Sam! Legends!

[@obedamoabeng8070]

Captain Obet! Sam meeting Captain Obet is wonderful!

[@FabioLPH]

After all the ups and downs of Cathay in the pass years, is glad to see them getting better and better 🎉🇭🇰 Is also very surprising to see so many new Japanese cabin crew😊

[@Dreamer10888]

Better pay?

[@mohammadaadil144]

Cathay was my favourite Airline when i was kid got lot of gifts, toys from them. Best Airline from Hong Kong

[@V1Rotate380]

Great Video Sam!

[@thebetterayaan]

been binging on your older videos this whole week, pure nostalgia!!

[@SamChui]

Thank you, old is gold!

[@raisa_cherry35]

@@SamChuiHuge fan of your channel and you of course ❤❤

[@42wilwson12]

Hope Cathay would be great again! 🔥🇭🇰

[@Rubbersofree]

My kids returning from the States or Canada, compared to other airlines they have taken before like AC, Emirates, Eva, CX is still their most preferred airline, making their flight time more comfy. Also, CX ground staff in US, and Canada have always shown they understand the needs of HK citizens, I recalled during the covid years, they had been helpful to our kids figuring out all those covid rules for entry to HK. Thanks CX. thanks Sam for your coverage.

[@omarkhadeer]

Excellent video. It's great to see Captain Obet. He is now the face and poster boy of Cathay. I still have memories of the late Captain Ian Summerfield. If I am not mistaken, he was the IOC manager before his untimely passing. 😭

[@wy5432]

A very informational video. I am hoping Cathay Pacific can be a world leading airline again. Thanks Sam.

[@peteckrlui]

Key word is “AGAIN”!!! I doubt CX can ever regain its footing. Before too long, it will be “merged” with Air China. MARK MY WORD!!!!

[@lanfrancopignoli5553]

Cathay looks amazing

[@lorachel]

So fun to watch Sam in the simulator with Captain Obet! “Don’t raise the flap” 😂

[@bubblemummy1]

Another fantastic video Sam! You always interview the most interesting people and so the most plane geeky questions! Wonderful stuff! Xxx

[@SSKK-y6f]

What a terrific video Sam. Your content is getting better and better. Love the stories behind the planes. And thanks to Cathay for their assistance in doing this. Hoping and Wishing for Cathay to come back stronger than ever.

[@bartbuiring98]

Nice video. Love Cathay Pacific.

[@edmilsonsoares3105]

Hi Sam. Congrats for the awesome video. You are the best worldwide youtuber.

[@asianverse7313]

OMG, The Spirit of Hong Kong 1997! I was there witnessing this VERY plane! I remember I was around 15 back then!!! The good old days!

[@romeo--07]

Still Miss the flight, in 90's got 3 opportunities to fly With Cathay Pacific they always give me Great experience I can't forget And makes the best impression ..love it, Hope one day reunion ❤❤

[@operaman12000]

Captain Obet!!! Love him.

[@swiftie_aviation]

So happy that you posted this, as I am flying Cathay Pacific from LAX-SIN roundtrip in business class on their 777 and a350!

[@mvaldman2001]

Nice to see how you have grown, Sam… you probably don’t remember flying 20 years ago in a Cessna 172 with Derek and me taking pictures of planes over LAX and Victorville… I’m super happy for your success, @SamChui 😊 Next time you pass by DOH, first round is on me!

[@andydrivesanastra]

Love CX. I am Tokyo-based but always tend to use CX for long haul to Europe and to destinations in Asia. The little detour to HKG from Tokyo is totally worth it! That's how good CX are!

[@Mazeboxx]

Always love the little thank you note Cathay Crews give you in First :)

[@bobbysup]

The service level in Southeast Asia is on a whole different level. Great content!

[@SarahDavis-h1r]

Sam, I really appreciate this video, we can see how this airline is working behind the scene, it is very instructive, thank you. Your cantonese is excellent, you speak like Hong Kong people.

[@cjsimulations9]

Much love for Cathay from Melbourne!!!!

[@bonebreaker280]

Thank you for making this video, Sam! Really liked it! 👍🏼👍🏼

[@viralgary]

Hello Mr Sam, it's Charles Elom from Togo, great video, love this

[@rmd4209]

Hi Sam, fantastic insight into how Cathay Pacific train their cabin crew members. Nice to hear you speak your native language as well. Thanks for sharing, Keep it up! 😍

[@hassanrehanfarooq1512]

What a great Video it was Sam! The crew, the trainers and everything is so professional at cathay. Thanks for the detailed video.

[@baraclude]

I took cathay on a 15 hour flight. There was a baby crying for 15 hours and the parents was always demanding something. The cathay members always kept their smile on dealing with crazy passengers.

[@sohelchowdhury1010]

This video helped Sam to find his girlfriend 😊

[@OntarioAndrews415]

This was so cool. Thanks for posting/sharing it. Cheers!

[@PatrickSBellSr]

Been flying Cathay for 20+ years - love them!! 😎👍

[@wagnerbejaranocarvalho9971]

Good afternoon Mr. Sam Chuí, you do not have an idea how marvelous ans pleasant see your Vlog, its a fullfill history and after see this we say yes, Cathay Pacific can be strong again in the market place. Thank you so much for bring to us this awesome VLOG.

[@andersfant4997]

These instruction videos are beneficial for all of us with a special interest in the Hospitality industry. Great Sam🙂.

[@LetsgowithHyro]

Great one with Flight Simulator at the end :-) Would love to fly Cathay Pacific again one day and visit Hong Kong.

[@CaptainJNT]

Sam got Seven Four Sevened by that engine fire lol. Great content Sam, that was really awesome seeing you land safely!❤

[@yixiao9243]

just came back to thsi video to see the scene when Sam meeting his wifi for the first time 😂 very romantic

[@Au_relia.]

Omg same 😂😂

[@maywong4027]

I'm always fascinated about aviation especially when the aircraft goes up and landing. 🛫

[@JunLeido]

For all its issues and shortcomings, I love @CathayPacific and will stay loyal. Hoping things will get better.

[@samjones4327]

Wow! This is an awesome video! Thanks so much for sharing another great adventure with us Sam!! That simulator was so cool and great job! I always appreciate yor time and effort you put into bringing us wonderful aviation experiences and I'm looking 4ward 2 more and more!! Cheers!

[@salpirwani]

Sam caught Feelings! ❤

[@nurrizadjatmiko21]

Such an awesome video this one. I have never flown this airline before and i hope Cathay Pacific can make a full recovery soon.

[@looktaochanel7475]

From (Thailand) ❤ proud all of you🎉

[@bellabam8]

Marvellous behind the scenes report at Cathay Pacific Sam. Best wishes to all the flight crew with their aviation careers. I think it's a positive for Cathay to have flight crew from 13 different nations. I'm looking forward to flying Cathay in the future.

[@1990edc]

Captain Obet!!! Im so glad you got to meet you

[@metatoad]

I love flying Cathay Pacific, they're the Best!!!!

[@gabrielcreed2449]

So great to see pilot obet!!

[@becsterbrisbane6275]

Ahhh, Sam, way to make me homesick for Hong Kong again :( ! I've travelled Cathay a few times between Australia & HK when I was working in China. Great airline, hopefully they can fully bounce back after the pandemic!

[@sonofbulldozer]

i flew with them twice in July - Manchester to Hong Kong and back ......they were fantastic!!

[@gloomydog2]

I took cathay in 2019 right before the world shut down. At the end of the flight I realized I lost my sim card. 2-3 FA pretty much turned my seat inside out to dig it out for me. If they resume enough flights to my destinations I 100% choose them first just because of how awesome their crew is.

[@LovieSje]

I love Cathay ❤ i always fly with Cathay to Hong Kong, very clean chairs. I am from the Netherlands

[@MsGundbear]

Compare to pre-pandemic, CP is coming back again and there a lot of caught up to deal with. Compare it to 10-15 years ago, pilots and flight attendants were not like before, service is well trained and customers' review at half and half. Prior to 1997, the CP is the probably the best airline just behind Singapore and above ANA and JAL.

[@FuNkYyBoY]

I enjoyed the flight simulator clip !! well done to you and Captain Obet !!

[@mahyarrafe]

Cathay pacific is my favourite airline

[@davidsolis6691]

Fantastic/Interesting Video(as always) Sam! Didn't realize their crew were so diverse in ethnic background! Really enjoyed it! Thanks so much Sam!

[@Planty3125]

Sam, excellent video and very informative. I have just returned from Mel - Hkg - Icn Korea of about 10 days. Flying Cathay Pacific business class 777 and A 350, good service and food both ways. I think some of your 777 are looking a little tired. Surprised to see a lot of Japanese recruited as flight attendants. Cathay Pacific now back on its feet and they amount of construction at Hong Kong is astounding. How about complimentary or free wi fi for business class. Good connections from Australia to Asia, I will fly you again.

[@PimpNameSlickBack-vp9pw]

Love this I took Cathay from Canada🇨🇦 to Jakarta it was fun experience.

[@ykeria986]

WoW another good one. The moment in the simulator was cool, you managed it like a champ! Maybe next time in the CATHAY PACIFIC headquaters we can see flywitheva!

[@arthurgimba1310]

Wow! What a day!! What an experience!

[@vcnou66jjg]

Cathay is always great!

[@davidbruce7244]

I lofed Cathay back in the 1970s when I was a kid. It was great travelling through Hong Kong too. During that time many airlines were very good, but Cathay was my favourite. I think the problem wast that they over-expanded.

[@robissonwillard7266]

Welcome Sam Good To See You Thanks For Planning Your Visit At Us Cathay Pacific Glad To Have You Here In Us 🇸🇦

[@smorris7713]

I was so excited for you to fly in the Sim!! Awesome, I would loooove such an experience!

[@allanm9678]

My favorite airline ❤

[@NYC-2-BKK]

Wow this was a nice video! I have flown on Cathay Pacific many times between nyc and BKk

[@Borkagork]

I have an interview there today! Thanks for the video, the content is super good and gives me a better idea on what to expect!

[@davidcheung8595]

Finally and always, it's the people that make it great!

[@Yashvardhanvashisht]

One of the first viewers 😅🎉🎉❤❤ Was watching ur old video 😊😊 just as this video came and called me up ❤❤❤❤

[@islandmerchandise3017]

Just flew Cathay long and short haul. awesome service and efficiency. Good food. great lounge.

[@vnse725]

Thanks for the vid Sam! As a Cathay frequent flyer it hurts me to see Cathay suffered so much from external factors (Covid+political unrest in Hk) in the past few years. But I definitely can feel the service and catering has much improved since late 2023. I now see much happier crew onboard who are truly proud of their job. The lounges of Cathay are good as always. Onboard catering has more varieties and tastes better. A well deserve No.5 in Skytrax this year and I certainly hope they can move further beyond in the future! ❤❤❤

[@T.S.1020]

Sam, another great video. Although there are other wannabes on yt but your program is the only one of its kind that I watch.😊

[@CaptainConstand]

My fav Episode Captain Obet and Sam chui 😍😍

[@davefrommelbourne1237]

I always remember the 80’s Cathay tv ad. “There’s a new world arriving on Cathay” 🛫

[@royskidubai]

Great job Sam in having this CX feature! OMG, you have CAPT. OBET - the legendary pilot of 747-8F! Wow!

[@waiming333]

Fuuyoo, I just love Cantonese Chinese! I'm a Malaysian Chinese who can understand & speak Cantonese but not reading. I know English, Malay, Indonesian, Mandarin, Cantonese & a little bit of Nihongo. I've been to HK many years ago via Cathay Pacific flights. The cabin crew's service was superb & food is oishi ne. You're very leng chai & your girlfriend is totemo kawaii ne! Cheerz!

[@donstravelsandrants.]

Cathy Pacific is a lovely airline. 👍😊💙🇮🇪🇭🇰

[@justanotherERdoc]

Would love to see how the US airlines differ in terms of their operations systems. Also it was great to see Captain Obet in your video.

[@anniechang2808]

Absolutely cool for all of us to see BTS!

[@enolaCanola]

Beautiful video, hats off to Cathay crew

[@kelvinchan1839]

Great to see they are focusing on service again, last few years their quality has really deteriorated a lot especially their economy