Cathay Pacific eyeing new widebody order, considering Boeing 787 or 777X series  

Cathay Pacific Airways is reportedly considering both the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and the Boeing 777X series of airplanes for its next widebody aircraft order. In a report published by Bloomberg, the Hong Kong-based carrier has already engaged in talks with the US manufacturer about numbers and timescales concerning both types.  

Any new planes will be earmarked to replace older Boeing 777-300s and -300ERs as well as Airbus A330s currently operated by the airline. Taking on new aircraft is just one part of the carrier’s strategy to reach net zero by 2050. According to the Bloomberg report, a final decision as to the order’s exact breakdown will be announced sometime in 2025.  Speaking to the publication, Alex McGowan, Cathay’s Chief Operations and Service Delivery Officer, detailed the carrier’s plans and what types the evaluation process is considering.  

McGowan advised that Cathay’s review is considering both the Boeing 787 Dreamliner family as well as the yet-to-be-certified 777X series, and the 777-9 variant in particular. Cathay may consider placing an order with Airbus as well as Boeing, said McGowan, which could include orders for more A330neos, A350-900s, and A350-1000 widebodied twin-aisle aircraft.  

The widebody order will mark “the final component” in a series of recent aircraft acquisitions, adds McGowan, following the airline’s orders for 30 Airbus A330neos and 30 options in August 2024 to replace aging A330-300s, plus 32 A320neo family aircraft placed in October 2023, and six A350Fs for its cargo division. Additionally, it already has 22 Boeing 777-9s on order from an earlier order.   

AirbusCathay Pacific’s current fleet makeup consists of a range of Airbus and Boeing types, which operates on a traditional hub-and-spoke network based around Hong Kong International Airport (HKG), its home base. The existing fleet comprises of 180 aircraft – 15 A321neos, 43 A330-300s, 30 A350-900s, 18 A350-1000s, 17 777-300s, and 36 777-300ERs, with the balance being made up of all-cargo aircraft.  

While the airline is already familiar with the 777 family, the carrier has never before operated the 787 Dreamliner in its fleet so opting for this type would be a departure for the airline.       

Elsewhere, Cathay Pacific recently showcased its brand-new business class product, the Aria Suite, along with a refurbished premium economy and economy product, on a retrofitted Boeing 777-300ER. The carrier has begun a program of refurbishment of its 777 long-haul fleet as part of an overall company-wide investment program which will encompass its fleet, cabin products, lounges, and digital and sustainability leadership offerings. 

Lee Yiu Tung / ShutterstockApart from operating the latest in airplane technology, Cathay Pacific is pushing for the adoption of more sustainable practices as it supports Hong Kong’s aviation development. Alongside expanding its use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), the airline is focusing on fleet modernization, operational efficiency, emerging technologies, and high-quality carbon offsets and removal to reach its goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050. 

Cathay Pacific was one of the first airlines globally to set a target of 10% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) for total fuel use by 2030. Since then, the airline has completed SAF uplifts at Hong Kong International Airport and other international locations. 

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