Compare / SQ vs CX
Singapore Airlines vs Cathay Pacific
Two very different offers for the same job. Here is what actually separates Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific for cabin crew — pay, roster, rules and who each one suits.
Singapore Airlines
SQ · Singapore
8.0
crew score
Cathay Pacific
CX · Hong Kong
7.4
crew score
Choose Singapore Airlines if…
- ✓Starting pay is higher — about 2% more per month
- ✓Better layovers and lifestyle (8.4 vs 7.9)
- ✓Easier life at base (8.2 vs 7.6)
- ✓English alone is enough — no Cantonese requirement
Choose Cathay Pacific if…
- The two are closely matched on the measures we track.
Side by side
| Singapore Airlines | Cathay Pacific | |
|---|---|---|
| Entry pay / month | $2,400-$2,900 | $2,300-$2,900 |
| Senior pay / month | $4,400-$5,600 | $3,800-$5,100 |
| Tax-free | No | No |
| Housing | Not provided | Not provided |
| Base | Singapore | Hong Kong |
| Type | Full-service | Full-service |
| Fleet | ~145 | ~180 |
| Destinations | ~75 | ~90 |
| Alliance | Star Alliance | oneworld |
| Minimum age | 18 | 18 |
| Reach / height | 158 cm | 208 cm reach |
| Visible tattoos | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Language beyond English | None required | Cantonese |
Crew scores compared
Singapore Airlines
Cathay Pacific
Apply
Singapore Airlines
Regular recruitment rounds in Singapore plus periodic drives in Malaysia and around the region through 2026 as the network and A350/777-9 fleet grow.
Cathay Pacific
Large-scale recruitment continues through 2026 across Hong Kong and mainland China, with rolling online applications and periodic overseas assessment events.
Still torn? Let the data decide.
Tax-free money or home every night? Fast promotion or a calm roster? Seven questions, ranked against pay, lifestyle, career and hiring data.
Frequently asked questions
Does Singapore Airlines or Cathay Pacific pay cabin crew more?
Singapore Airlines pays more at entry level: about $2,400-$2,900 a month against $2,300-$2,900. Remember to weigh tax status and housing before comparing headline figures.
Which is easier to get into, Singapore Airlines or Cathay Pacific?
Singapore Airlines is actively hiring (Regular recruitment rounds in Singapore plus periodic drives in Malaysia and around the region through 2026 as the network and A350/777-9 fleet grow.) while Cathay Pacific is actively hiring (Large-scale recruitment continues through 2026 across Hong Kong and mainland China, with rolling online applications and periodic overseas assessment events.) Requirements differ too — check both requirement pages before deciding where to spend your effort.
Singapore Airlines or Cathay Pacific — which is better for a first cabin crew job?
Singapore Airlines scores higher overall in our index (8.0 vs 7.4), but "better" depends on what you want: money, roster, promotion speed or where you live. The reasons listed above split it by priority.