Cathay Dragon website to merge into Cathay Pacific website

by Shrutee K/DNS

The Cathay Dragon website (formerly www.dragonair.com) will soon be merged into the Cathay Pacific website (www.cathaypacific.com) in a move that will provide customers of both airlines with a more seamless online experience.

The merger, which will be in effect from Wednesday, 29 March 2017, means that customers will enjoy the convenience of being able to book flights from all departure points across the airlines’ combined network through a single, shared website –www.cathaypacific.com. Other functions – including booking management and online check-in services – in addition to a wealth of travel-related information, including flight timetables, flight status, baggage information and inflight entertainment options for both airlines will also be available through the enhanced website.

Furthermore, four new country sites for Cathay Dragon customers in Bangladesh, Cambodia, Myanmar and Nepal will be made available through cathaypacific.com.

The website merger is the latest development in Cathay Dragon’s rebranding process, which officially commenced in November 2016 in order to bring the award-winning airline closer to Cathay Pacific.

Designed to provide customers with a more seamless travel experience, the rebranding has the added benefit of introducing both airlines to a wider audience: from the growing inflow of overseas travellers who are more familiar with the Cathay Pacific brand, to the increasingly large numbers of Cathay Dragon customers from Mainland China who seek the convenience and assurance of an internationally-recognised premium airline with global connectivity.

The business of connecting customers through each other’s networks has been an overwhelming success for Cathay Dragon and Cathay Pacific, with many millions of passengers choosing to fly on both airlines each year. By being more closely aligned, the airlines are better equipped to deliver on their brand promise of a Life Well Travelled, ensuring that all customers enjoy a consistently premium experience at every stage of their journey.

Since the rebranding took effect, travellers have been greeted with Cathay Dragon’s new identity at check-in desks, boarding gates and on board across the airlines’ networks, while aircraft livery changes continue apace. Customers have also been able to enjoy a more unified brand experience, from cabin interiors and inflight services, such as pillows and blankets, seating, entertainment and meals, to the Marco Polo Club loyalty programme.

Regional Sales and Marketing Manager – South Asia at Cathay Pacific Airways, Mr. Rajesh Menon said, “The Cathay Dragon rebranding exercise was implemented last year, to provide customers with a cohesive brand experience and it has been well received. All our initiatives are focused to create maximum value for our customers and with the merged website they can enjoy a seamless experience throughout their booking process."

Customers who try to access www.dragonair.com (or www.cathaydragon.com) from 29 March onwards will be automatically redirected to www.cathaypacific.com.

About Cathay Pacific Airways: Cathay Pacific is a Hong Kong-based airline offering scheduled passenger and cargo services to nearly 200 destinations in Asia, North America, Australia, Europe and Africa, using a fleet of more than 140 wide-body aircraft. Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon currently operate 48 weekly departures from 6 cities in India to Hong Kong. Cathay Pacific operates 10 flights a week from Mumbai, 14 flights from Delhi, daily flights from Chennai and 4 weekly flights from Hyderabad. Whereas sister airline Cathay Dragon operates daily flights from Bengaluru and 6 weekly flights from Kolkata. Cathay Pacific Cargo is also one of the biggest air cargo operators in India with 25 scheduled freighter services to and from Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru and Hyderabad.

Cathay Pacific and UNICEF HK have been running the Change for Good inflight fundraising programme since 1991. Travellers on Cathay Pacific flights are encouraged to donate any spare change they have – in any currency – to UNICEF when returning from their journeys. The money collected is used to fund UNICEF’s programmes helping deprived women and children in more than 150 developing countries around the world.

About Cathay Dragon: Hong Kong Cathay Dragon Airlines Limited, an affiliate member of oneworld, is a Hong Kong-based international airline, and a member of the Cathay Pacific Group. Established in 1985, the airline now operates a fleet of 42 passenger aircraft and serving 53 regional destinations. Cathay Dragon has been recognized for its product and service quality, and has been named the “Best Regional Airline” at the TTG Travel Awards for six consecutive years since 2010, and voted "World's Best Regional Airline" in the annual Skytrax World Airline Awards™ in 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2015. Cathay Dragon and Cathay Pacific Airways currently operate 48 weekly departures from 6 cities in India to Hong Kong. Cathay Dragon operates daily flights from Bengaluru and 6 weekly flights from Kolkata to Hong Kong whereas Cathay Pacific operates from Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai and Hyderabad.