Cathay Pacific says it will begin the rollout of its new business class product on its long-haul fleet from March, and the airline has also announced new international routes for next year.
The carrier says it will introduce the new business class seats and cabin design on an Airbus A330-300 in March, which will be used on the carrier’s Sydney route. They will first appear on a Boeing 777-300ER in April. The lie-flat seats are longer and wider than those they replace.
New deliveries of Boeing 777-300ERs and long-haul A330-300s will be fitted with the upgraded seats, and the rest of these fleets will be retrofitted. By February 2013, the 30-strong fleet of 777-300ERs and 20 long-haul A330-300s will be equipped, Cathay says.
The upgrade will cost more than HK$1 billion ($128.7 million). Older long-haul aircraft, such as Cathay’s 747-400s, will not receive the new business class product, a Cathay spokeswoman says.
Meanwhile, Cathay says it will launch two new routes next year, to Chicago and Abu Dhabi.
The daily flight from Hong Kong to Chicago will use a 777-300ER, and will begin Sept. 1. The airline says it will launch new codeshare services with Oneworld partner American Airlines through Chicago O’Hare International Airport.
The Abu Dhabi flight will be four times a week from June 2, using an A330-300. Cathay already serves Dubai with double daily flights.
In addition, Cathay plans to boost two existing North American routes. Three more Hong Kong-New York flights will be added for a total of 24 flights per week between March 27 and May 1. From May 2, frequency will be four times daily. Toronto will have two more flights a week from May 1, which will give it double-daily service.
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