Johannesburg, South Africa – 3 November 2025:– In a landmark announcement for the aviation industry, Cathay Pacific has become the first full-service airline to earn the prestigious 7-Star PLUS Safety Rating from AirlineRatings, setting a new global benchmark in passenger safety and operational excellence.
Building on its existing 7-Star status — awarded for maintaining the highest operational and regulatory safety standards — Cathay Pacific’s new PLUS rating reflects the successful completion of AirlineRatings’ comprehensive 70-point onboard safety audit, which evaluates real-world inflight performance across six separate flights.
“For many years, our 7-Star Safety Ratings have guided millions of travellers in assessing which airline they choose to fly with for both value and safety,” said Sharon Petersen, CEO of AirlineRatings. “Now, we are taking this a step further by evaluating onboard safety — where passengers experience it most.”
The audit, conducted independently by AirlineRatings, examines 70 measurable criteria including cabin checks, safety briefings, inflight announcements, lithium battery procedures, and overall customer service. These detailed assessments enable airlines to identify areas for improvement while recognising those that demonstrate exceptional safety performance.
“Cathay Pacific not only makes safety a top priority in the flight deck, but also goes above and beyond to maintain world-class and consistent safety protocols,” said Josh Wood, Safety and Service Quality Manager at AirlineRatings.
“From enforcing a strict lithium battery policy to delivering professional safety briefings and maintaining high service standards, Cathay Pacific excelled on every flight.”
Accepting the accolade, Alex McGowan, Chief Operations and Service Delivery Officer at Cathay Pacific, said:
“Safety guides everything we do at Cathay. It is a deep commitment we make to each other, our customers and our business partners to ensure their time with us is safe, healthy and secure — as well as thoroughly enjoyable. This recognition reflects the dedication of our teams around the world, and we will continue to strengthen safety across all aspects of our operation.”
The 7-Star PLUS Rating is reserved for airlines that already hold the 7-Star rating and successfully complete anonymous onboard audits across a mix of domestic, international, long- and short-haul flights. Conducted without airline influence, these assessments reflect authentic passenger experiences and focus on how safety is communicated and enacted onboard.
With nearly 40% of passengers reporting anxiety or fear of flying, the 7-Star PLUS system provides an added level of reassurance, shifting safety evaluation from purely technical metrics to the human experience of safety in the cabin.
AirlineRatings’ mission remains clear: “Guiding you to the safest and best value airline for every journey.”
For more information on AirlineRatings’ safety assessments, contact Tekanyo Selatela at tekanyos@tribecapr.co.za or visit www.tribecapr.co.za
