I don't get this "CX has short term directors" meme. It looks like only the IT director and the finance director haven't been with CX/ Swire pretty much their whole working life.
I think that is also a problem, that without enough outsiders to challenge, Cathay is too conservative. The big US airlines are now making much higher profits, after being forced to re-invent themselves - e.g. charging for check in bags & inflight meals, make more use of internet etc. A director having dinner with his friends though wants to hear them praise the great service - despite evidence that most people just want the cheapest ticket. The fastest growing airlines in Asia are Air Asia/ Lion Air/ Jetstar, not Singapore Airlines/ Cathay/ JAL.
Employee owned airlines haven't had a good track record (United/ VARIG)