Another day, and another A350 takes to the sky for a new customer.
This time the customer is Cathay Pacific.
Cathay Pacific Airbus A350-900, Image – Airbus
Cathay Pacific has 48 Airbus A350 aircraft on order, split with 22 A350-900 and the 26 A350-1000.
The A350-900s will be used to replace older A340-300s and Boeing 777-200s, replacing them on medium to long haul services.
Delivery of the A350s will commence in the 2nd Quarter of 2016 (which we’re rapidly heading into).
In terms of routes (like other carriers), they will be using them on regional routes first, before stretching them to longer segments.
According to Airlineroute these include:
- Hong Kong – Manila flying as CX901/900
- Hong Kong – Taipei Taoyuan CX400/409
Initial entry to service is projected to be 1st June 2016 – although as with all new aircraft joining any fleet – these dates can and will change.
Eventually, plans for the A350 will include operation from Hong Kong to:
- July 2016
- Bangkok
- Ho Chi Minh City
- Singapore
- 2nd September – London Gatwick on a four times a week service
- 3rd September 2016 – Hong Kong – Bangkok – Singapore
The planes are due to be flowing in a three class configuration, split as:
- 38 Business Class seats in a 1-2-1 configuration
- 28 Premium Economy seats in a 2-4-2 configuration
- 214 Economy Class Seats in 3-3-3 configuration
There’s plenty of work to be done, with cabin completion, ground checks and further test flights – but the future is looking bright for the upcoming member of the Cathay Pacific fleet.
Welcome to Economy Class and Beyond – Your no-nonsense guide to network news, honest reviews, with in-depth coverage, unique research as well as the humour and madness as I only know how to deliver.
Follow me on Twitter at @EconomyBeyond for the latest updates! You can also follow me on Instagram too!
Also remember that as well as being part of BoardingArea, we’re also part of BoardingArea.eu, delivering frequent flyer news, miles and points to European readers
