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Cathay Pacific vs Korean Air
A side-by-side comparison of pilot careers at Cathay Pacific (CX) and Korean Air (KE) — covering salary, fleet, requirements, and more.
Head-to-Head Comparison
Cathay Pacific
Korean Air
Country
Hong Kong
South Korea
Airline Type
Major International Airline
Major Airline
IATA Code
CX
KE
Regulatory Authority
FAA
FAA
First Officer Salary
HK$500,000 - HK$900,000
₩60,000,000 - ₩100,000,000
Captain Salary
HK$1,200,000 - HK$2,000,000
₩120,000,000 - ₩200,000,000
Fleet
Airbus A321/330/350, Boeing 777
Boeing 737/747/777/787, Airbus A220/330/380
Requirements Comparison
Cathay Pacific
- ICAO ATPL
- 2,500+ hours total
- 1,500+ on multi-crew jets
- Class 1 medical
- Hong Kong resident or willing to relocate
Korean Air
- ICAO ATPL
- 2,500+ hours on jets
- Class 1 medical
- Korean language helpful
Pros & Cons
Cathay Pacific
Pros
- +Simplified fleet — fewer type ratings needed
Cons
- –High cost of living in Hong Kong
Korean Air
Pros
- +Modern fleet with 787 Dreamliner
- +Simplified fleet — fewer type ratings needed
Cons
- –Local language proficiency preferred
About Each Airline
Cathay Pacific
Hong Kong's flagship carrier offers tax-efficient compensation and access to one of Asia's premium aviation networks.
Full Cathay Pacific career guide →Korean Air
South Korea's largest airline operates an extensive network across Asia, the Americas, and Europe from its Seoul-Incheon hub.
Full Korean Air career guide →Calculate Your Salary
Model your earning potential at Cathay Pacific or Korean Air based on your experience, ratings, and career stage.
Salary Calculator