The 777X is Boeing’s new flagship aircraft, which is badly delayed. The jet was supposed to enter service in 2020, but has been delayed until at least 2025, due to certification issues. While Boeing is still officially hoping that the plane will enter service in 2025, it seems many airline executives now think 2026 is more realistic.
The 777X plays a crucially important role in the fleet planning of several airlines. For example, with Airbus A380 production having ended, the 777X will eventually be Emirates’ new flagship aircraft. However, I’d argue there’s one airline that’s most in need of the 777X, and that’s Cathay Pacific. I wanted to talk about that a bit in this post, since I haven’t taken a look at Cathay Pacific’s fleet planning in a long time.
In this post:
Cathay Pacific has 21 Boeing 777-9s on order
Back in 2013, Cathay Pacific placed an order for 21 Boeing 777-9s, with the plan being for them to all be delivered between 2021 and 2024. These are intended to be Cathay Pacific’s new flagship long haul aircraft, and replace older 777s. Cathay Pacific has otherwise modernized its long haul fleet with Airbus A350s, but they don’t feature first class.
It’s interesting to see how Cathay Pacific’s plans have evolved over time. Cathay Pacific has had a really rough several years. Hong Kong was already struggling before the pandemic, given the situation with China, and then Hong Kong went into full lockdown during the pandemic, bringing Cathay Pacific to a standstill.
In 2020, Cathay Pacific actually deferred its Boeing 777X order, which was a disappointing development. However, thanks to Boeing’s delays, that didn’t actually have any implications, and Cathay Pacific is still expecting to get its first 777X around 2026.
Cathay Pacific has recovered very nicely in the past year or two, and has returned to profitability. Now the airline is severely capacity constrained, not just due to a shortage of aircraft, but also due to a shortage of pilots.
The reason I think Cathay Pacific is more in need of 777Xs than any other airline is because these are the only wide body aircraft the airline has on order. Cathay Pacific shrunk considerably during the pandemic, in particular with retiring many of its 777s. Now the carrier’s entire ability to add long haul capacity relies on the 777X. Otherwise Cathay Pacific only has Airbus A321neos on order.
Cathay Pacific’s new jets should have amazing cabins
Not only does Cathay Pacific desperately need 777Xs in terms of long haul capacity, but the plane is also really exciting from the standpoint of passenger experience. That’s because the 777X will feature Cathay Pacific’s latest cabins.
For one, Cathay Pacific will install its new Aria Suites business class on 777Xs. The initial plan was for this to debut on 777Xs, but due to the delays, the airline is now starting to roll out these seats on 777-300ERs, which should enter service in the coming months.
While I’m excited for 777s to get this product, it’ll be even nicer when factory fresh 777Xs get the cabins, since the plane should otherwise feel more modern.
What’s perhaps most exciting about the 777X is that this is where Cathay Pacific will debut its new Halo Suites first class. We don’t actually know what this product will be like yet, but rumor has it that it will be spectacular.
Cathay Pacific filed for a patent for a new first class product back in 2019, and this appears to be based on Paperclip Design’s Peacock Suites concept. The below pictures should give you a sense of just how impressive this product might be (though I’d expect Cathay Pacific to have a customized version of this, so don’t expect it to be exactly like this).
Let me emphasize that it’s entirely possible that this isn’t the product that Cathay Pacific introduces, as something could have changed. However, I think odds are decent, especially with the direction first class is headed for those airlines choosing to keep it around.
Cathay Pacific intends to remove first class from its existing 777s, so in the long run the plan is for all 21 777-9s to feature first class, and no other aircraft.
Bottom line
While several airlines are relying on the Boeing 777X for fleet renewal, there’s no other airline that’s solely reliant on the jet for wide body fleet renewal. Cathay Pacific should be the fourth or fifth airline to start taking delivery of 777-9s, and assuming there are no additional delays, this should happen in 2026.
The 777Xs are exciting for the oneworld carrier not just because they will finally allow the airline to add capacity, but also because they’ll feature Cathay Pacific’s newest products, including a yet to be revealed first class product that should impress.
Anyone else excited about Cathay Pacific 777-9s?
Perhaps Swire has been overly cautious with Cathay Pacific because the Hong Kong's despotic overlords in Beijing, led by the megalomaniac "President for Life" who becomes more Mao-like with each passing day, are deeply authoritarian and unpredictable?
The international business culture in Hong Kong still has an uncertain future. The days of "one country, two systems" are over. The territory has a puppet government that fawns to Beijing at every turn. Many expats have...
Perhaps Swire has been overly cautious with Cathay Pacific because the Hong Kong's despotic overlords in Beijing, led by the megalomaniac "President for Life" who becomes more Mao-like with each passing day, are deeply authoritarian and unpredictable?
The international business culture in Hong Kong still has an uncertain future. The days of "one country, two systems" are over. The territory has a puppet government that fawns to Beijing at every turn. Many expats have permanently departed. Hong Kong is slowly being destroyed, and the fanatics who run the CCP don't understand that they're garroting the goose that lays the golden eggs.
Pete, you have not added an iota to this discussion. Go back to reading your CIA brainwashing manuals.
It may have been unprompted, but it's certainly not wrong. The great city of Hong Kong is being strangled by China.
My brother, you are woefully ignorant of basic Asian geopolitics.
Either that, or a 卑微的党奴.
Pointing out the ever encroaching, vice like, stranglehold China exerts week on week whilst also stripping away rights they signed a treaty to uphold for at least 50 years isn't the stuff of "CIA brainwashing manuals". If you've spent any time there in the last 5-10 years it is an undisputable fact that is not only overtly visable on the streets but it's steady ramp up is so obvious that even those trying not to...
Pointing out the ever encroaching, vice like, stranglehold China exerts week on week whilst also stripping away rights they signed a treaty to uphold for at least 50 years isn't the stuff of "CIA brainwashing manuals". If you've spent any time there in the last 5-10 years it is an undisputable fact that is not only overtly visable on the streets but it's steady ramp up is so obvious that even those trying not to see it cannot deny it's presence.
Perhaps you may have read 'The little red book' too many times.
Both business and the people live the dread of uncertainty as they watch their changing before their eyes.
FYI If your wondering why there isn't a wealth of articles, stories or reporting about such. It's because free press was abolished some time ago now and printing anything that questions the Party or State is liable, and has, to get you a free holiday in a, very literal, re education camp
The local dialect of Hong Kong; 'Cantonese'; is fast DYING!! Replaced by the official CCP sanctioned 'Mandarin/Putonghua'.
A few years ago; Cathay FAs decided that 'Cantonese' should be used first, with all in-flight PA announcements.; not 'Mandarin'. Contravening diktats from the CCP.
Although it is true that the 777X is the only remaining widebody passenger aircraft on order, the mid-size aircraft order is coming, in which the CX CEO says the decision will come later this year - mainly to replace the aging A330-300s. CX could go with A330-900, B787-10, more A350-900 or a combination of A330/A350.
Now, i frankly don't understand why CX took the decision to retire so many planes early. Today i read that their final plane (an A330) in Storage in Alice Springs has been reactivated was about to leave for Hongkong.
Those 777s now fyling for QR and Air New Zealand surely have some life left in them. CX should have taken a more conservative approach with retiring these planes.
SQ had planned to lease a...
Now, i frankly don't understand why CX took the decision to retire so many planes early. Today i read that their final plane (an A330) in Storage in Alice Springs has been reactivated was about to leave for Hongkong.
Those 777s now fyling for QR and Air New Zealand surely have some life left in them. CX should have taken a more conservative approach with retiring these planes.
SQ had planned to lease a few B777-300ERs to Air India but the latest reports indicate that this is no longer the case and will instead use them themselves. LH brought back their A340s and A380s as they needed the capacity and especially First class seats.
EK is retroffiting more of their older B777-300ERs and apparently want Boeing to pay for that as they would have retired them by now.
The 777X won't be delivered till earliest 2027.
Very surprised that CX chosed a round shaped first class suites, is this a world first......? CX used to be very conservative, innovation isn't their thing....
Funny to read this a day after I book HKG-JFK in F for next year at this point I'm impressed Cathay is hanging on as well as they are, with significant competition, a few scandals, and the mentioned downsizing and lack of pilots.
CX does have a fleet of 4 dozen A350s, some of which are -1000s, all of which are less than 10 years old.
The A350-1000 is somewhat smaller but has longer range than the 777X will have - and the same is true for many of the -900s.
CX clearly bought the 777Xs with the intention of that being their flagship so didn't put FC on their A350s but they do have modern widebodies.
What is this comment telling us that the article didn't already explain? All of these points are already covered in Lucky's write up.
AI Tim-Bot posts about A350-1000 regardless. You cannot stop the AI Tim-Bot.
sorry if you fail to grasp it but CX has taken delivery of alot of A350s - botht the -900 and -1000 - and they are as modern and fuel-efficient as the 777X will be.
Because CX has not chosen to put FC on their A350s does not change that they have had the opportunity and modern aircraft to do so.
If the concept goes past your head, just move on.
YOU not only...
sorry if you fail to grasp it but CX has taken delivery of alot of A350s - botht the -900 and -1000 - and they are as modern and fuel-efficient as the 777X will be.
Because CX has not chosen to put FC on their A350s does not change that they have had the opportunity and modern aircraft to do so.
If the concept goes past your head, just move on.
YOU not only contributed absolutely nothing but you missed the point of what was said because you are fixated on me and incapable of discussing the subject.
Tim, have you just been on vacation? I thought u've been missing for a week or so
Ok, but where’s the Delta angle?