Cathay Pacific Looks to Bolster Fleet with Boeing Orders

A Cathay Pacific 777-9X Artist Rendering. Courtesy of Boeing.

Cathay Pacific has spent this holiday season ramping up its fleet and preparing for the future. The first was announced on December 20th when the carrier announced its order for 21 777-9X's becoming the Asian launch carrier for the type.

"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 fot for long-haul destinations in North America and Europe, in particular those routes where we carry high volumes of passengers and cargo each day. Cathay Pacific is committed to modernizing its fleet to provide a superior experience to passengers."

The order, at list price, is valued at $7 Billion US, HK$58 Billion. Cathay Pacific expects to take delivery of the aircraft between 2021 and 2024.

"Cathay Pacific and Bowing share a long-term partnership that spans four decades," said Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Ray Conner. "We are honored to continue our tradition of launching new airplane models with Cathay Pacific in Asia, starting with the Rolls Royce powered 747-400 and the original 777-200, 777-300, 777-300ER and naturally, now with the 777X family."

Slosar added that, "the 777-300ER has done a superb job for us and Cathay Pacific is now the second largest operator of the type. We are now delighted to be an early customer for this next generation of the 777 aircraft."

A Cathay Pacific 777-300ER departs LAX.

Just a week later on December 27th the carrier announced an additional order for one more 747-8F and three more 777-300ER.

When delivered that will bolster Cathay Pacific's fleet of 747-8F fleet to 14 and its 777-300ER fleet to 53. The airline will take delivery of the 747-8F in 2016 and the three 777-300ER's in 2015.

A Cathay Pacific 747-8F Departs from ANC.