Flying start for Cathay’s vintage programme

Cathay Pacific Airways and concessionaire Inflight Sales Group (ISG) are to extend the airline’s Beyond Duty Free programme to its July magazine after a strong debut month, in which ISG sold what it believes is the most expensive item ever sold on board an airline.

The luxury goods programme was launched on board on April 1, and ISG Hong Kong managing director Tony Detter reported that within the first 30 days the company had sold 70% of its initial product range and all the vintage Rolex watches on offer. Among these was a Rolex Explorer II, known as the Rolex Steve McQueen model, which sold for $25,000.

Detter added: “We have secured additional stock to support the current program, and with the early success of our first Beyond Duty Free offering, we have already planned and designed a second program scheduled for Cathay’s July 2008 inflight magazine. We will continue to expand on our early success with new items, brands, and hopefully can beat our own record for most expensive item sold inflight”