Hong Kong-based airline Cathay Pacific has ordered an additional 14 Boeing 777-9 passenger aircraft, bringing the total number of this type in its fleet order to 35. The 777-9, while still awaiting certification, is the world’s largest twin-engine aircraft and offers significant improvements in fuel efficiency, emissions, and noise reduction.
According to Boeing, the new generation 777-9 consumes 20% less fuel and emits 20% less CO₂ on average compared to the aircraft it is designed to replace, while also reducing noise levels by 40%. These features make it a key asset for Cathay Pacific in meeting growing demands in air travel, particularly on intercontinental routes.
Ronald Lam, Chief Executive Officer of the Cathay Group, stated that the new aircraft will support the company’s continued growth and fleet renewal, as well as strengthen Hong Kong’s role as a global aviation hub. He added that Cathay Pacific aims to deepen its partnership with Boeing and leverage the outstanding capabilities of the 777-9 to fulfill its ambition of becoming the world’s best premium airline.
Cathay Pacific has been operating Boeing 777 aircraft for over three decades, and the introduction of the latest model is expected to reduce the airline’s operational costs further while boosting its capacity for both passenger and cargo transport on long-haul and ultra-long-haul routes.
Boeing also expressed satisfaction with the continued collaboration. Brad McMullen, Boeing’s Senior Vice President of Commercial Sales and Marketing, emphasized that this order confirms the value of the 777-9 and reflects Cathay Pacific’s commitment to delivering exceptional comfort and global connectivity to its passengers.
The 777-9 has a range of up to 7,295 nautical miles (13,510 km), enabling Cathay Pacific to connect Hong Kong directly to distant global destinations. Worldwide, more than 550 aircraft from Boeing’s 777X series have been ordered to date, supporting thousands of jobs at the manufacturing facilities in Everett, Washington, and throughout the global supply chain.
