In the 1950s, DC-6s and DC-6Bs were introduced into service. Then, turboprop Locheed Electras went into service. In the same year, CPA absorbed the second airline at that time, called Hong Kong Airlines.

First pure jets were used in 1960s, which were Convair CV880s. At that time, CPA was one of the most successful airlines in the region. B707, Lockheed Tristar followed to go into service afterwards.

Cathay Pacific received the first Boeing 747-200B in 1980, which is powered by Rolls-Royce RB211 engines. At the same time, CPA introduced the first long haul flight to London. With the introduction of B747s, this brought Asia closer to Europe and North America. In 1989, B747-400s went into service. This made long haul non-stop flights come true. Flights to London, Frankfurt and Vancouver can then have no technical stops.

In 1994, Cathay Pacific changed its coporate identity to the existing one. A340-200s were intorduced to service at the same time, serving Rome and Zurich. CPA then announced a fleet replacement programme involving orders and options for more than 60 wide-bodied aircrafts valued at US$9000 million up to year 2000.

Next year, Cathay Pacific received A330-300s from Airbus. The A330-300s would be used for replacing the aged L1011s. In May 1996, Cathay Pacific received the first B777-200. B777-200 is now the largest twin-engined aeroplane in the world. In May 1998, Cathay Pacific will have its B777-300s in service.

Cathay Pacific now has code-sharing with Ansett New Zealand to Christchurch; British Midland to Belfast, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Teesside; Vietnam Airlines to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Cathay Pacific has other agreements with Air Hong Kong, Dragonair, Japan Airlines, Korean Airlines, Lufthansa and Singapore Airlines.