Cathay Pacific is Hong Kong's flag carrier and a founding member of oneworld. All Nippon Airways (ANA) is Japan's largest airline and a Star Alliance member. Travellers compare them mainly on Hong Kong–Tokyo and on transpacific trips that connect through Hong Kong or Tokyo.
Quick verdict
Both are full-service airlines with business and premium economy cabins, and First on some Boeing 777-300ERs. Cathay suits travellers who want Hong Kong as a hub for Southeast Asia, Europe and Australia, or who collect oneworld status. ANA suits anyone heading into Japan, especially with onward domestic flights, or anyone building Star Alliance status. On the Hong Kong–Tokyo route, pick by airport and timing, and by which alliance you earn miles in.
Choose Cathay Pacific if…
- You are connecting through Hong Kong to the rest of Asia, with more than 190 destinations across the Cathay Group and its partners.
- You earn or use oneworld status, including Marco Polo Club lounge access with guests at Diamond and Gold tiers.
- You want the newer Aria Suite and Premium Economy seats on refurbished 777-300ERs, or a flight using The Wing's redesigned lounge in Hong Kong.
Choose All Nippon Airways if…
- Your trip continues inside Japan, since ANA has a large domestic network from Haneda and Narita plus Osaka hubs.
- You want a checked-baggage allowance of two 23 kg bags on international Economy, with higher limits in premium cabins (check basic fares).
- You collect Star Alliance miles through ANA Mileage Club.
At a glance
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Key differences
Network and hubs
Cathay has one hub, Hong Kong, and the wider group serves more than 190 destinations including codeshares and joint ventures. That makes it strong for connections between Asia, Europe and Australasia. ANA runs Tokyo Haneda and Narita as main hubs, with Osaka Itami and Kansai as secondary hubs. It adds a dense domestic network and services to Asia, North America and Europe. For Japan itineraries, ANA usually offers easier onward connections.
Hong Kong–Tokyo flights
ANA's Hong Kong office lists, for the FY2026 winter season, a daily Narita service plus double-daily Haneda flights, including a midnight departure. Cathay also flies Hong Kong to Tokyo, with fares and schedules on its Tokyo page. Compare arrival airport and time first, as Haneda is much closer to central Tokyo than Narita.
Cabins and seats
Both offer First on selected 777-300ERs, plus Business, Premium Economy and Economy. Cathay is refitting 777-300ERs with Aria Suites and new Premium Economy, and A330s are due to get Aria Studio and new Economy seats. ANA's best business product, The Room, is on refitted 777-300ERs; 787s have a staggered seat without a door. Seat type depends on the aircraft, so check the exact flight.
Baggage
Cathay's allowance varies by route and fare, so check the booking. On international flights ANA's allowance is, per Upgraded Points, two 23 kg bags in Economy and Premium Economy, two 32 kg in Business and three 32 kg in First. Some basic fares include none. ANA's domestic flights use a weight-based system, which matters on connecting itineraries within Japan.
Lounges and loyalty
In Hong Kong, Cathay has The Wing, The Pier and The Deck, and announced a redesigned The Wing in April 2026. Marco Polo Club Diamond members may bring two guests, Gold one, and Silver enter alone. ANA is part of Star Alliance and has the ANA Mileage Club. Skytrax named it Best Airport Services in the World in 2024. Your alliance choice is often decisive if you already hold status.
Punctuality
Cirium data reported by the South China Morning Post gave Cathay a 78.13% on-time arrival rate in April 2025, ninth among Asia-Pacific airlines. Single-month figures move around, so treat this as a snapshot and allow generous connection times on either airline.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cathay Pacific better than ANA?
Neither is better for every trip. Cathay is stronger for connections via Hong Kong and for oneworld members. ANA is stronger for Japan, including domestic connections, and for Star Alliance members.
Does ANA include checked baggage?
On international routes ANA's Economy and Premium Economy generally allow two 23 kg bags, but some basic fares include none. Check your ticket before travelling.
Which alliance are Cathay Pacific and ANA in?
Cathay Pacific is a founding member of oneworld. ANA joined Star Alliance in October 1999, so miles and status do not carry over between them.
About Cathay Pacific Read more
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.
About All Nippon Airways Read more
Overview
All Nippon Airways (ANA) is a Japanese airline headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, and, according to Wikipedia, Japan's largest airline, ahead of Japan Airlines. Its earliest predecessor, Japan Helicopter and Aeroplane Transports, was founded on 27 December 1952, and services under the All Nippon Airways name began in December 1957. ANA is the main operating company of ANA Holdings, which is listed in Tokyo, and joined Star Alliance in October 1999. Its group includes ANA Wings, Air Japan and Peach Aviation.
Network and hubs
The main hubs are Tokyo Haneda and Tokyo Narita, with Osaka Itami and Osaka Kansai as secondary hubs. Fukuoka, Nagoya Centrair, Naha and Sapporo Chitose are focus cities. ANA flies a large domestic Japan network and international services to Asia, North America and Europe. Regional services are partly flown by subsidiary ANA Wings.
Fleet
The fleet is built around Boeing widebodies and Airbus narrowbodies. According to Simple Flying, citing ch-aviation (2025), ANA operated 88 Boeing 787s (34 787-8, 44 787-9 and 10 787-10), the world's largest 787 fleet. The Wikipedia fleet page also lists Boeing 777-300ERs and Airbus A320neo, A321-200 and A321neo aircraft, with further 787-9s, A321neos and 18 Boeing 777-9s on order. A reliable current total for the mainline fleet was not confirmed.
On board
- Cabins: international aircraft have Business, Premium Economy and Economy; First class is fitted on some Boeing 777-300ERs.
- Domestic: 787-9s in domestic configuration carry up to about 395 seats, with a small premium cabin.
- Meals, seat pitch, entertainment and Wi-Fi: not verified from official sources for this profile; check ANA's website for the route and aircraft.
Good to know
- Baggage: third-party summaries (for example Upgraded Points) report two 23 kg bags in Economy and Premium Economy on international routes, two 32 kg bags in Business and three in First. Basic fares may include none, so check the ticket. Domestic flights use a weight-based system.
- Cabin bag: one carry-on plus a personal item, 10 kg combined, according to The Travel Tinker.
- Loyalty: ANA Mileage Club; Star Alliance status gives reciprocal benefits.
- Awards: Skytrax named ANA Best Airport Services in the World in 2024, per Wikipedia.
Sources (4)
Ranking
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