Cathay Pacific’s Retro A350 Spotted Ahead Of 80th Anniversary Celebrations

Aviation enthusiasts have been buzzing this week after images and videos emerged showing a Cathay Pacific Airbus A350 wearing what appears to be a striking retro-inspired livery — marking the airline’s upcoming 80th anniversary.

While Cathay Pacific has yet to make a formal public announcement, the aircraft has already been photographed and filmed on the ground, giving fans a clear look at a scheme that deliberately harks back to some of the airline’s most iconic historic designs.

For spotters and classic livery fans, it’s shaping up to be one of the most exciting heritage paint schemes seen in recent years.

A Modern A350 With Vintage Influences

The newly spotted aircraft is Airbus A350-900 B-LRJ

It features the heritage livery worn by Cathay Pacific from 1971-1994, commonly known as the “Lettice Leaf” scheme. While applied to a state-of-the-art Airbus A350, the design unmistakably references the airline’s earlier identity — long before the current brushwing logo became globally recognisable.

This is the livery worn by Cathay Pacific’s classic long-haul aircraft such as the Boeing 707, Boeing 747, and Lockheed L-1011 TriStar. During that era, Cthe airline was rapidly establishing itself as a major Asian long-haul carrier, linking Hong Kong with Europe, Australia, and North America.

The contrast of a modern composite widebody wearing a throwback design has made the aircraft an instant hit on social media — especially among enthusiasts who value aviation heritage as much as cutting-edge technology.

Cathay Pacific is going retro.

Ahead of its 80th anniversary in 2026, an Airbus A350-900 (B-LRJ) has emerged from the HAECO Xiamen hangar wearing the iconic green-and-white “Lettuce Leaf” livery.

That legendary green stripe — which ruled Cathay’s fleet from 1971 to 1994 is… pic.twitter.com/dVGwnddHrP

— Turbine Traveller (@Turbinetraveler) January 1, 2026

Three Retro Aircraft Planned

According to reports circulating alongside the leaked images, the Airbus A350 will be one of three aircraft to receive special retro-themed liveries as part of Cathay Pacific’s 80th anniversary celebrations.

The others are thought to include a Boeing 777-300ER and Cathay Cargo Boeing 747-8F.

Each aircraft is expected to reflect a different chapter of the airline’s visual and operational history, offering a flying tribute to the types, routes, and eras that shaped Cathay Pacific into the global carrier it is today.

If confirmed, this would place Cathay Pacific alongside a growing number of airlines that have used milestone anniversaries to reconnect with their past — but few have done so using flagship long-haul aircraft like the A350.

Why This Anniversary Matters

Communi core by S.Fujioka, CC BY-SA 3.0 <http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/>, via Wikimedia Commons

Founded in 1946, Cathay Pacific has evolved from a small regional operator into one of Asia’s most recognised international airlines. Over eight decades, it has flown everything from piston-engined transports to early jets, widebody icons, and today’s advanced Airbus fleet.

The airline’s 80th anniversary is more than a marketing milestone — it represents:

• The growth of long-haul travel from Asia

• Hong Kong’s rise as a global aviation hub

• The transition from classic jetliners to ultra-efficient modern aircraft

A retro livery programme is a fitting way to celebrate that journey, especially for an airline with such a rich visual and operational history.

What Enthusiasts Should Watch For Next

Until Cathay Pacific makes an official announcement, several key questions remain:

• When will the retro A350 enter scheduled service?

• Will the aircraft operate a ceremonial first flight, or offer any enthusiast flights?

• What eras will the other two retro liveries represent?

Once flying, the aircraft is likely to become a must-catch target for spotters, particularly at Hong Kong International Airport and on Cathay’s major long-haul routes.

A Perfect Moment For Classic Airline Liveries

The resurgence of interest in historic airline branding has been growing steadily, and Cathay Pacific’s apparent anniversary scheme fits perfectly into that trend. For aviation fans, it’s a reminder that while fleets modernise and logos evolve, an airline’s past remains a powerful part of its identity.

For those interested in exploring more of Asia’s classic airline designs, our book Lost Airline Colours of Asia delves into many historic liveries from across the region — including several former Cathay Pacific schemes — capturing an era when airline branding was bold, elegant, and instantly recognisable.

Order Your Copy Here