The 777X is Boeing’s new flagship plane, which is badly delayed. The jet was imagined to enter service in 2020, however has been delayed till a minimum of 2025, because of certification points. Whereas Boeing continues to be formally hoping that the aircraft will enter service in 2025, it appears many airline executives now assume 2026 is extra life like.
The 777X performs a crucially necessary position within the fleet planning of a number of airways. For instance, with Airbus A380 manufacturing having ended, the 777X will finally be Emirates’ new flagship plane. Nevertheless, I’d argue there’s one airline that’s most in want of the 777X, and that’s Cathay Pacific. I wished to speak about {that a} bit on this publish, since I haven’t taken a have a look at Cathay Pacific’s fleet planning in a very long time.
Cathay Pacific has 21 Boeing 777-9s on order
Again in 2013, Cathay Pacific positioned an order for 21 Boeing 777-9s, with the plan being for them to all be delivered between 2021 and 2024. These are meant to be Cathay Pacific’s new flagship lengthy haul plane, and exchange older 777s. Cathay Pacific has in any other case modernized its lengthy haul fleet with Airbus A350s, however they don’t characteristic first-class.
It’s fascinating to see how Cathay Pacific’s plans have developed over time. Cathay Pacific has had a very tough a number of years. Hong Kong was already struggling earlier than the pandemic, given the scenario with China, after which Hong Kong went into full lockdown in the course of the pandemic, bringing Cathay Pacific to a standstill.
In 2020, Cathay Pacific truly deferred its Boeing 777X order, which was a disappointing improvement. Nevertheless, due to Boeing’s delays, that didn’t even have any implications, and Cathay Pacific continues to be anticipating to get its first 777X round 2026.
Cathay Pacific has recovered very properly prior to now 12 months or two, and has returned to profitability. Now the airline is severely capability constrained, not simply because of a scarcity of plane, but in addition because of a scarcity of pilots.
The rationale I believe Cathay Pacific is extra in want of 777Xs than another airline is as a result of these are the one large physique plane the airline has on order. Cathay Pacific shrunk significantly in the course of the pandemic, specifically with retiring lots of its 777s. Now the provider’s whole capacity so as to add lengthy haul capability depends on the 777X. In any other case Cathay Pacific solely has Airbus A321neos on order.
Cathay Pacific’s new jets ought to have wonderful cabins
Not solely does Cathay Pacific desperately want 777Xs when it comes to lengthy haul capability, however the aircraft can be actually thrilling from the standpoint of passenger expertise. That’s as a result of the 777X will characteristic Cathay Pacific’s newest cabins.
For one, Cathay Pacific will set up its new Aria Suites enterprise class on 777Xs. The preliminary plan was for this to debut on 777Xs, however as a result of delays, the airline is now beginning to roll out these seats on 777-300ERs, which ought to enter service within the coming months.
Whereas I’m excited for 777s to get this product, it’ll be even nicer when manufacturing facility recent 777Xs get the cabins, for the reason that aircraft ought to in any other case really feel extra trendy.
What’s maybe most enjoyable concerning the 777X is that that is the place Cathay Pacific will debut its new Halo Suites first-class. We don’t truly know what this product will probably be like but, however rumor has it that it is going to be spectacular.
Cathay Pacific filed for a patent for a brand new first-class product again in 2019, and this seems to be primarily based on Paperclip Design’s Peacock Suites idea. The beneath photos ought to provide you with a way of simply how spectacular this product is likely to be (although I’d anticipate Cathay Pacific to have a custom-made model of this, so don’t anticipate it to be precisely like this).
Let me emphasize that it’s completely attainable that this isn’t the product that Cathay Pacific introduces, as one thing may have modified. Nevertheless, I believe odds are first rate, particularly with the path first-class is headed for these airways selecting to maintain it round.
Cathay Pacific intends to take away first-class from its current 777s, so in the long term the plan is for all 21 777-9s to characteristic first-class, and no different plane.
Backside line
Whereas a number of airways are counting on the Boeing 777X for fleet renewal, there’s no different airline that’s solely reliant on the jet for large physique fleet renewal. Cathay Pacific ought to be the fourth or fifth airline to begin taking supply of 777-9s, and assuming there aren’t any extra delays, this could occur in 2026.
The 777Xs are thrilling for the oneworld provider not simply because they are going to lastly permit the airline so as to add capability, but in addition as a result of they’ll characteristic Cathay Pacific’s latest merchandise, together with a but to be revealed first-class product that ought to impress.
Anybody else enthusiastic about Cathay Pacific 777-9s?
