Hong Kong flag carrier Cathay Pacific Airways has apologised and removed an episode of the animated American series Family Guy that references Tiananmen Square's "Tank Man" from its in-flight entertainment system.

In its reply to the Post on Tuesday night, Cathay Pacific apologised to affected customers after an internet user made a complaint on a social media page about content on the system that could potentially breach national security legislation.

"We emphasise that the programme's content does not represent Cathay Pacific's standpoint and have immediately arranged to have the programme removed as soon as possible," a spokesman for the carrier said.