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Cathay Pacific takes delivery of first A350-1000
June 22nd 2018
Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific Airways took delivery this week of the first of 20 on-order A350-1000s. Read More » In doing so it became the second operator of the stretched A350XWB after Qatar Airways.
Cathay’s -1000s are configured with 334 seats in three classes: 46 business, 32 premium economy and 256 economy class seats. The airline will debut the -1000 on the Hong Kong-Taipei route on July 1. Other crew familiarization flights will be to Bangkok, Manila and Singapore.
Cathay’s first -1000 long-haul route will be from Hong Kong to Washington which will be launched on September 15. It will be Cathay’s longest route as well as the longest route performed by any airline out of Hong Kong International Airport. Hong Kong-Amsterdam will see the -1000 daily from December 1 followed by daily Hong Kong-Zurich flights from March 31.
The carrier expects to take delivery of eight more -1000s this year. It already operates 22 smaller A350-900s with another six of the type on order.
“We already have one of the youngest long-haul fleets in the sky. With the arrival of the A350-1000, our fleet is only going to get younger. The aircraft follows the successful entry into service of the A350-900 variant that has enabled us to expand our long-haul network at a near unprecedented rate. The A350-1000 has an incredible range, is remarkably fuel efficient and quiet, provides customers with an unsurpassed cabin environment and has extremely attractive operating economics,” said Cathay Pacific chief customer and commercial officer, Paul Loo.
“We are proud to deliver the A350-1000 to our long-standing customer Cathay Pacific. Bringing major advantages in fuel and cost efficiency along with unrivalled passenger comfort, the A350-1000 is the perfect platform for Cathay Pacific to increase capacity on some of its longest routes,” said Airbus Commercial Aircraft chief commercial officer, Eric Schulz.
Cathay will introduce an upgraded business class experience, to be launched in July on its Hong Kong-Chicago route. The airline will gradually introduce “restaurant-style” dining on its long-haul network and eliminate trolleys during meal services.
Appetizer and entrée choices will be increased and food will be plated in the galley rather than pre-plated and heated.
Cathay Pacific Airways CEO, Rupert Hogg, recently told staff: “The way we serve our customers in Business is set to change. With increased competition and changing customer expectations, it’s time to evolve to ensure we offer an experience that meets and exceeds those expectations.”
Cathay Pacific general manager for in-flight service delivery, Ed Higgs, said: “The focus will be more on the interactions cabin crew have with customers during the service and the memorable experiences that come from those.
“The change is in response to feedback from our customers. They told us they wanted to see an improvement in food quality, better presentation, more choice and more personalisation of service.”
Hong Kong-Chicago will be followed by London Gatwick (August), Frankfurt, Manchester and Washington (September), Amsterdam, Paris and Johannesburg (October), Madrid, Brussels and Barcelona (November) and London Heathrow from December.
