Cathay’s new A350 fleet spreads wings

New aircraft deployed on more long-haul routes


Mark Elliott  - Travel News - Cathay’s A350 in Dusseldorf

Cathay Pacific has deployed its brand new fleet of Airbus A350 on two of its European routes.

The launch of the airline’s inaugural A350 flight to Dusseldorf on 1 September 2016 marked the new long-haul aircraft’s European debut. This was followed a day later by the launch of A350 flights to London Gatwick – a brand new destination for Cathay.

The Hong Kong-based carrier has ordered a total of 48 A350s, comprising 22 280-seat A350-900s and 26 330-seat A350-1000s. So far, the airline has taken delivery of four of the smaller version, but eventually these new twin-aisle jets will form the backbone of Cathay’s long-haul fleet, replacing its Boeing 747s and Airbus A340s.

The A350-900s operating to Dusseldorf and Gatwick can seat 38 passengers in business class, 28 in premium economy and 214 in economy. All seats also come equipped with touchscreen in-flight entertainment systems, in-flight Wi-Fi, power outlets and USB ports.

Future destinations for Cathay’s expanding A350 fleet will include Auckland, Paris, Rome and Vancouver.