Cathay Pacific vs Air Busan

Overview

Cathay Pacific is the flag carrier of Hong Kong. According to Wikipedia, it was founded in 1946 by Roy Farrell and Sydney de Kantzow, and its head office is Cathay City at Hong Kong International Airport. As of May 2026 its major shareholders are Swire Pacific and Air China. It is a founding member of the oneworld alliance. The wider Cathay Group also includes HK Express and Cathay Cargo.

Network and hubs

The sole hub is Hong Kong International Airport. The airline and its subsidiaries serve more than 190 destinations in over 60 countries, including through codeshares and joint ventures. Cathay Pacific's January 2026 traffic release reported 11% more passengers than January 2025, and a single-day record of 100,747 passengers on 14 February 2026.

Fleet

According to the Cathay Pacific fleet page on Wikipedia, as of December 2025 the airline operates 159 passenger aircraft and 20 Boeing 747 freighters:

• 16 Airbus A321neo
• 43 Airbus A330-300
• 30 Airbus A350-900 and 18 A350-1000
• 52 Boeing 777-300 and 777-300ER

Orders include more A321neo, 30 A330-900, 8 A350F freighters and 35 Boeing 777-9, with 777-9 deliveries due from 2027.

On board

Cabins vary by aircraft. Business, Premium Economy and Economy are widely offered, and some Boeing 777-300ER aircraft have First class. Refurbished 777-300ERs have the new Aria Suites and Premium Economy, and A330s are due to be refitted with Aria Studio and new Economy seats. Seat pitch, meal and entertainment details vary by aircraft and route, so check the airline's website for your flight.

Good to know

• Punctuality: Cirium data reported by the South China Morning Post gave a 78.13% on-time arrival rate for April 2025, ninth among Asia-Pacific airlines.
• Lounges: In Hong Kong the business lounges are The Wing, The Pier and The Deck. Cathay Pacific announced a redesigned The Wing in April 2026.
• Loyalty: The Marco Polo Club programme gives lounge access by tier. Diamond members may bring two guests, Gold one guest, and Silver members enter alone.
• Baggage: Allowances depend on route, cabin and fare, so check the booking before travelling.

Overview

Air Busan is a low-cost airline based in Busan, South Korea. According to Wikipedia, it was established on 31 August 2007 as a joint venture between the city of Busan and Asiana Airlines, and began flying in October 2008. Asiana was its largest shareholder and, after Asiana's merger with Korean Air, Air Busan became part of the Korean Air group's low-cost carrier consolidation. It is not a member of an alliance.

The airline remains in operation, but a merger is planned. CAPA reports that Air Busan, Jin Air and Air Seoul signed an agreement on 24 August 2026 to merge under the Jin Air brand, with launch expected on 17 March 2027. Shareholder votes are planned for December 2026, and regulatory approval is also needed. Until then, Air Busan tickets are sold under the Air Busan name.

Network and hubs

Gimhae International Airport in Busan is the main hub, and Air Busan uses its expanded international terminal. Wikipedia lists about 35 destinations, with domestic services such as Busan to Seoul Gimpo and Jeju, and international routes in Japan and elsewhere in Asia. International flights from Busan to Fukuoka began in 2010. Jin Air and Air Busan began a domestic codeshare on 6 January 2026 covering Gimpo-Busan, Jeju-Busan and Jeju-Ulsan (ch-aviation).

Fleet

The fleet is all Airbus A320 family. As of August 2025, Wikipedia lists 20 aircraft: five A320-200, seven A321-200, six A321neo and two A321LR. Flightradar24 currently lists 21 aircraft, so the count varies by source and date.

On board

Air Busan is a low-cost carrier with a single-class layout on most aircraft. Simple Flying reports a seat pitch of 31-32 inches on its A321s. Details of meals, entertainment and Wi-Fi were not confirmed in the sources reviewed, so check the airline's website before travelling.

Good to know

• Cabin baggage: third-party sources state one bag of up to 10 kg is allowed (55 x 40 x 20 cm). Checked baggage allowances vary by fare and route, so confirm on airbusan.com.
• Safety: on 28 January 2025 an A321 caught fire at Gimhae before departure, and all 176 people on board were evacuated (Aviation Herald).
• Loyalty: Wikipedia lists Asiana Club as the frequent-flyer programme. This may change with the merger.
• Merger: bookings and policies may change after the planned March 2027 integration into Jin Air.