"All images are handled sensitively with strict access controls," Jarratt said. She added that Cathay Pacific's inflight entertainment systems do not have any cameras, microphones or sensors to monitor passengers.
Cathay Pacific records passengers via closed-circuit video surveillance on aircraft and in its airport lounges.
The Hong Kong-based carrier revealed the existence of the cameras in its customer privacy policy, which it updated online on July 23.
In a statement, Cathay spokeswoman Julie Jarratt said the cameras are used to protect customers and frontline staff. On aircraft, the lone camera is positioned near the cockpit door for security purposes.
"All images are handled sensitively with strict access controls," Jarratt said. She added that Cathay Pacific's inflight entertainment systems do not have any cameras, microphones or sensors to monitor passengers.
Airlines, including Delta, United and American, found themselves tamping down an uproar in February and March after it was revealed that their in-flight entertainment systems provided by vendor Panasonic Avionics were equipped with cameras. The airlines said they never enabled those cameras.