Cathay Celebrates 80 Years With 10-Minute Epic Tribute Film Via Leo Hong Kong

Cathay has premiered ‘The Journey Home’, a short film inspired by the stories of its passengers, and Cathay milestones to celebrate its 80th anniversary. 

The film follows a daughter who parts ways with her mother in Hong Kong to chase her dreams and study abroad.

Being apart makes the bond between mother and daughter tighter, an insight that inspires the film’s tagline, ‘What takes us further, brings us closer together’.

Cathay general manager brand, insights and marketing communication, Edward Bell said: “As Cathay marks its 80th anniversary, it is a moment to reflect on the role the brand has played in people’s lives across generations.”

“For eight decades, Cathay has connected people to what matters most – family, friends, opportunities, and aspirations – supporting them through every stage of their life journey. This milestone is also a tribute to Hong Kong and its people, whose spirit and history are inseparable from Cathay’s own legacy,”

Directed by David Tsui, ‘The Journey Home’ doubles as a visual tribute to Cathay’s brand evolution since 1946, when its first aircraft, ‘Betsy’, took flight.

From retro boarding passes to Cathay uniforms and the airline’s ‘lettuce leaf sandwich’ livery, Tsui worked closely with agency Leo Hong Kong. He also worked with a team of archivists and engineers at Cathay.

The film is peppered with ‘easter eggs’, designed to be unearthed by locals and aviation enthusiasts around the world. These include plane-spotting locations in Hong Kong, and the film’s anthem, inspired by an instrumental piece written by Barry White that featured in Cathay advertisements in the 1970s and 80s.

The last line in the film is a PA announcement that said: “Welcome to our home, Hong Kong”. It was inspired by a topic on social media about how emotional Hong Kongers feel when they hear this on Cathay flights.

Leo Hong Kong chief creative officer, Christopher Lee said: “This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create a short film that aims to celebrate the ups and downs Cathay has shared with its passengers throughout eight decades.

“The film is quiet and contemplative – an invitation to reflect on all the journeys that people take in their lives. We want to stir up something inside our viewers and remind them that the most meaningful journeys are the ones that bring you closer to the moments and people who matter most to you,”

Tsui adds: “I’ve been directing for 40 years, and I’ve always believed that the most powerful stories are the ones that feel lived-in. This one does. It’s not just about Cathay history, it’s about Hong Kong’s emotional memory.”

“This film is my thank-you letter to Cathay, the city, and to the enduring love between parents and children.” Tsui added.

Cathay is rolling out a year-long calendar of activations and events to celebrate its anniversary.

Throughout 2026, Cathay’s cabin crew will wear vintage uniforms to bring the evolution of the brand to life in true Cathay fashion.

CREDITS
Client: Cathay
General Manager, Brand, Insights and Marketing Communications: Edward Bell
Head of Marketing Communications: Vivian Chan
Marketing Manager, Global: Anthony Wu
Assistant Marketing Manager, Global: Maria Ng
Assistant Marketing Manager, Global: Jessica Siu
Marketing Specialist, Global: Simba Leung

Creative Agency: Leo Hong Kong
CEO, Publicis Groupe Hong Kong: Tom Kao
Chief Creative Officer, Leo Hong Kong: Christopher Lee
Global Executive Creative Director, Leo Hong Kong: Joao Braga
Executive Creative Director, Leo Hong Kong: Halo Cheng
Head of Art, Leo Hong Kong: Stratos Efstathiou
Creative Director, Leo Hong Kong: Soenar Santoso
Creative Director, Leo Hong Kong: Helen Yuen
Creative Director, Leo Hong Kong: Wai Wong
Associate Creative Director, Leo Hong Kong: Sam Wong
Senior Copywriter, Leo Hong Kong: Ethan Chu
Senior Copywriter, Leo Hong Kong: Abbie Chan
Copywriter, Leo Hong Kong: Bernice Chin
Head of Creative Service, Leo Hong Kong: Pelie Kwok
Managing Director, Leo Hong Kong: Rhys Taylor
Managing Partner, Leo Hong Kong: Dennis Yeung
Director of Client Services, Leo Hong Kong: Kenneth Poon
Senior Account Director, Leo Hong Kong: Kale Ng
Associate Account Director, Leo Hong Kong: Holie Ko
Senior Account Manager, Leo Hong Kong: Stephanie Chu