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Cathay Pacific to purchase 30 A350XWBs

Originally published on www.businesstraveller.asia 04/08/2010 - Filed under: News »

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Cathay Pacific (CX) has confirmed it will acquire 30 Airbus A350-900 aircraft, worth HK$75 billion (US$9.6 billion), for use on non-stop routes to Europe and North America.

Media reports in June (see news) quoted CX chief executive Tony Tyler admitting they were “evaluating the new-generation A350 and Boeing B777”.

The new A350XWB (extra-wide body) will form the backbone of the airline’s future mid-size wide-body fleet. Deliveries will be made between 2015 and 2019. Tyler described the purchases as “fuel efficient, environmentally friendly and provides the capacity, range and operating economics that we need to complement and enhance our existing fleet.

From Airbus’ rival Boeing, CX is planning to order six more B777-300ER aircraft in addition to 30 of this aircraft type that is already on firm order. The B777-300ERs will be deployed on ultra long-haul and long-haul routes in North America and Europe.

The investment in intended aircraft purchases is in addition to significant sums that CX will make between now and 2013 that includes aicraft already on firm order, the new cargo terminal at Hong Kong International Airport and enhanced products in the cabin and on the ground.

For more, visit www.cathaypacific.com

Margie T Logarta

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COMMENTS » 

Swissdiver - 04/08/2010 09:25

I hate to read this. For me, one of the airline selection criteria is what they fly. And for now, I see none of the Airbus as good planes, the worse being certainly the A330 immediately followed by the A340... God knows what the A350 will be... Long live the 747 and the 777 (in that order)!

christopheL - 04/08/2010 12:29

Dear Swissdiver, Could you just give us one of the reasons for which you consider the A330 as the worst airliner in the world immediately followed by the A340 ? This could give me the opportunity to learn something. I use to fly either Airbus or Boeing longhaul planes and I'am unable to make such a difference between airbus's and Boeing's with only 1 exception : the A380 is 1 step ahead...

DylanHawkes - 04/08/2010 18:09

Just frankly here..who cares if they have A330 or A340 or A380 or B747 or B777..the far more important issue for paying pax are to have better seating options rather than those dreadful regional C seatings..even TG has learned its lesson and implementing A330 with at least lie flat seatings..now CX is one of those airlines who offers inferior C products in medium haul sectors ! That is an issue !

LPPSKrisflyer - 04/08/2010 22:16

I think there are differences, the 747 is old and out of date, the 777 is about the most noisy experience you can have in the air, I put in ear plugs straight after take off. The A330 and A340 are both relatively new and so quiet.

BA319131 - 05/08/2010 07:14

Good for CX, I'm sure these planes will be great replacements for the existing fleet. If the A350 is as quiet as the current Airbus planes, then it's mother bonus for passengers.

wanula1 - 05/08/2010 08:42

I agree with PPSKrisflyer, the Boeing aircraft are generally much more noisy than Airbus, although your still can't beat up deck 747.

CX medium haul does depend on the route and day so India has the new seating and Indonesia can have both depending on day and time of flight.

Swissdiver - 05/08/2010 17:24

Dear christophelecamus,

There are a number of reasons IMHO: - 777 offers much nicer volumes. Quite important in 300+ passengers planes. There is space and air. - On 330s and 340s, the first row is to be avoided since the window seats have less space because of the shape of the plane - 330 and 340 cannot properly serve a 3 class (F C Y) service as the galley is far too small for the C service (crews, when asked, are in general admitting this) - Level of noise is the same, I feel. - Toilets are larger in 777. Sounds stupid but I am 1.95 tall and it counts :-)

There is more, but not in my mind right now...

DylanHawkes: Fully agree. Seat comes first. seatguru.com & flatseats.com

But, as wanula1 mentioned, nothing is beatting the 747 upper deck :-)

PeterThompson4 - 12/08/2010 04:19

Having recently flown the A340 from germany to the US and B777 back, to be honest there is not much to choose between them, and the expericence is enhanced or otherwise depending on the operating airline and the seat types/pitches. I do agree however that the A380 is streets ahead of anything else in the air with commercial operators in terms of space, facilities and quietness....even "up the back"!!

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