Cathay Pacific has become the first Asian airline to order Boeing’s newly launched 777X, placing an order for 21 777X-9s on Friday.
“The 777-9X promises us improved payload range capability and reduced operating costs, in addition to a significant reduction in environmental emissions,” said John Slosar, chief executive of Cathay Pacific Airways. “We think it will be an ideal fit for long-haul destinations in North America and Europe, in particular those routes where we carry high volumes of passengers and cargo each day.”
The Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific already operates 55 777s, including 38 777-300ERs.
Meanwhile, a 747-8F handed over to Cathay Pacific on December 18 was the first 747-8 delivered with the latest standard GEnx-2B engines, a key element in Boeing’s Performance Improvement Package (PIP) for the type to improve fuel efficiency by 1.8 per cent.
Boeing says the two other PIP components, flight management computer (FMC) software upgrades and reactivating the horizontal tail fuel tank on the 747-8 Intercontinental, are expected to enter service later in December and in early 2014, respectively.
J
says:Excellent decision
K
says:Excellent decision. Hope more airlines soon get on to the 777X bandwagon.
L
says:Maybe Qantas should invest in some of these to rebuild its international business so they’re not trying to fill an A380 for every flight.
L
says:Excellent decision. Hope an Australian airline (especially the one which needs an international fleet renewal) gets on the 777X bandwagon.
Mick
says:Where do I sign up for a gig? 🙂
Ben
says:Looks like Boeing’s big twin is here to stay. Pity ‘Triple 7’ is still seems to be a swear word in the halls of QF HQ.
G.Pesenti
says:Had J. Dixon managed Qantas properly he would have ordered the 777 as any other Boeing airliner. So for a few years Qantas financial results looked sexy ….whilst the company’s fleet was run down . Even worse was the failure to order the last and amazing 300ER version . Had they done so Qantas would be able to compete with the likes of Emirates or Cathay or BA. Every time I bought Qantas tickets to oz from Europe , I ended up on BA 777’s who made money for the company where Qantas aging 747’s could not . What sort of business is that ?