Cathay Pacific vs Qantas:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Cathay Pacific and Qantas were level in searches among airline brands worldwide, with an estimated 1.5M branded searches each, at 4.7% of the total each. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about airline brands, Cathay Pacific appeared in two of the five answers and Qantas in none.
Who do people search for more?
Cathay Pacific and Qantas are searched for about as often as each other.
Who does AI mention more?
Cathay Pacific, mentioned in 2 of 5 answers, Qantas in 0
Who does AI recommend more?
Cathay Pacific, the only one of the two named
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Top airline brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Cathay Pacific was mentioned in two out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Qantas did not appear in any of the five answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
United Airlines3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Emirates3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Southwest Airlines3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Delta Air Lines3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Qatar Airways3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Singapore Airlines3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers- Cathay Pacific2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
British Airways0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Qantas0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Air New Zealand0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about airline brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which airline brand should I book?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best airline brands?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best airline brand for long haul travel?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“cheap flights”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best airline”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 19, 2026.
Is Cathay Pacific or Qantas more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Cathay Pacific and Qantas by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all ten airline brands we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Cathay Pacific, Qantas. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | United Airlines | British Airways | Emirates | Southwest Airlines | Delta Air Lines | Qatar Airways | Singapore Airlines | Cathay Pacific | Qantas | Air New Zealand |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 17.9% | 12% | 14.6% | 14.6% | 9.8% | 12% | 6.5% | 5.3% | 5.3% | 2% |
| Nov 2025 | 19.1% | 10.4% | 15.6% | 12.7% | 10.4% | 12.7% | 7% | 4.7% | 5.7% | 1.7% |
| Dec 2025 | 20.1% | 11% | 13.4% | 13.4% | 11% | 13.4% | 6% | 4.9% | 4.9% | 1.8% |
| Jan 2026 | 16.4% | 13.4% | 13.4% | 13.4% | 11% | 13.4% | 7.3% | 4.9% | 4.9% | 1.8% |
| Feb 2026 | 18.1% | 12.1% | 14.8% | 14.8% | 9.9% | 12.1% | 6.6% | 4.4% | 5.4% | 1.6% |
| Mar 2026 | 16.2% | 10.8% | 19.7% | 10.8% | 8.8% | 16.2% | 7.2% | 4.8% | 4% | 1.5% |
| Apr 2026 | 18.8% | 12.6% | 15.4% | 12.6% | 10.3% | 12.6% | 6.9% | 4.6% | 4.6% | 1.7% |
| May 2026 | 18.8% | 12.6% | 12.6% | 15.4% | 12.6% | 10.3% | 6.9% | 4.6% | 4.6% | 1.7% |
| Jun 2026 | 18.8% | 12.6% | 12.6% | 15.4% | 10.3% | 12.6% | 6.9% | 4.6% | 4.6% | 1.7% |
| Jul 2026 | 18.4% | 12.3% | 12.3% | 15% | 12.3% | 12.3% | 6.7% | 4.5% | 4.5% | 1.7% |
| Aug 2026 | 18.6% | 12.4% | 12.4% | 15.2% | 12.4% | 10.2% | 6.8% | 4.6% | 5.6% | 1.7% |
| Sep 2026 | 19.3% | 15.7% | 12.9% | 12.9% | 10.5% | 10.5% | 7% | 4.7% | 4.7% | 1.7% |
How has the Cathay Pacific and Qantas comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands 2 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: Cathay Pacific took it in March 2026, Qantas took it in August 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Cathay Pacific’s share of searches among airline brands worldwide moved from 5.3% to 4.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1.8M to 1.5M.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Qantas’ share of searches among airline brands worldwide moved from 5.3% to 4.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1.8M to 1.5M.
How did search popularity change for airline brands worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Qantas lost share of searches among airline brands worldwide, from 5.6% to 4.7%.
In September 2026, Cathay Pacific rose from 9th to 8th among airline brands worldwide.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Cathay Pacific’s and Qantas’ names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Cathay Pacific
1 branded search term
- cathay pacific
Qantas
1 branded search term
- qantas
Other head-to-heads among airline brands
- United Airlines vs British Airways: compare popularity
- United Airlines vs Emirates: compare popularity
- United Airlines vs Southwest Airlines: compare popularity
- United Airlines vs Delta Air Lines: compare popularity
- British Airways vs Emirates: compare popularity
- British Airways vs Southwest Airlines: compare popularity
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