Cathay Pacific bets demand for luxury, long-distance travel will continue to grow in more than a decade with the first order of new Boeing aircraft.
The Hong Kong-based airline ordered 14 Boeing 777-9s on Wednesday, making a total of 35 company commitments for the aircraft. Cathay Pacific expects to receive its first 777-9 in 2027 if the certification of new models that are already five years late does not face more delays.
When the 777-9 was delivered, Cathay Pacific had a large dual racing jet plan for part of Boeing’s delayed Boeing 777X family. The airline’s aim is to launch its new long-distance best-in-class products on the plane, executives said. It debuted its new business-grade product, ARIA Suite, earlier this year.
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The ARIA suite features wraparound seating design with reclining chairs, privacy doors, a 24-inch personal touchscreen TV and other high-tech features.
Lavinia Lau, chief customer and business officer of Cathay Pacific, said Wednesday that the 777-9S will arrive in two layouts: one with four classes – first, business, advanced economy and economy – and a higher density configuration with three categories.
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The 777-9 is one of the largest aircraft of Cathay Pacific. Boeing listed the aircraft as 426 passengers in a standard two-level layout. Cathay Pacific may have fewer seats on its 777-9 due to a more advanced configuration than Boeing’s universal specifications.
Cathay Pacific’s largest aircraft is the Boeing 777-300ER, which can accommodate up to 438 seats in a high-density layout, while the most luxurious four-level configuration has only 294 seats. Cathay Pacific’s second largest aircraft is the Airbus A350-1000, which provides seats for 334 passengers in three classes – commercial, advanced economy and economics.
In addition to the new aircraft order, Cathay Pacific has moved to growth mode after it recovered slowly from the COVID-19-19 pandemic. The airline began flying to Fort Dallas Worth International Airport (DFW), its sixth destination and the largest hub for its partner American Airlines. Additionally, it plans to move to the new terminal 6 of John Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York, where it will open a new premium lounge sometime in 2026.
“Cathay Pacific’s travel demand remains strong and in addition to introducing more customer experience enhancements, we will continue to add more flights and destinations to our customers,” said Patrick Heaily, chairman of Cathay Group.
As part of Cathay Pacific’s latest Boeing order, the airline also has the right to buy seven aircraft, which can increase its 777-9 fleet to 42 aircraft if it is exercised.
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