Airlines

Cathay Pacific Eyes on Boeing 777-8F Order

According to reliable sources, Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. is about to place a $2 billion order for Boeing 777-8F freighters as the Hong Kong airline begins a partial fleet renewal of its fleet of dedicated 747 cargo planes.

The decision came after a protracted competition between the future Boeing 777X jet family’s all-freight variant and the impending cargo variant of the existing Airbus A350 for one of the top five freight airlines in the world. According to industry sources, the competition required the initial acquisition of about 12 aircraft, totaling about $2 billion at list prices before customary airline reductions.

Cathay Pacific finalises order for 32 A321neo aircraft(Opens in a new browser tab)

There was no immediate announcement to be made, according to Cathay Pacific. “We continue to invest in and grow our fleet with the addition of new, cutting-edge and fuel-efficient aircraft,” a Cathay representative told Reuters. “At this time, we don’t have any specific updates or fleet-related announcements to make.”

In January 2022, six months after Airbus started working on the A350 Freighter in an effort to loosen its hold on the market for freighters, Boeing introduced the 777-8F freighter with an order from Qatar Airways.

Cathay Pacific informed analysts in November of last year that it was considering expanding its freighter capacity and was “actively” negotiating with manufacturers to purchase some of the next freighters after 2025.

Airlines

Air India Rolls Out A350s for Delhi-New York JFK and Newark Routes

In a major development for North American travelers, Air India has announced the deployment of its state-of-the-art Airbus A350-900 aircraft on two key routes: Delhi to New York and Delhi to Newark.

The service on the Delhi-New York route will commence on November 1, 2024, while the Delhi-Newark route will see its inaugural flight on January 2, 2025.

The introduction of the air india a350 will bring significant enhancements to Air India’s offerings, particularly with the launch of its Premium Economy class. air india retrofit This new class will feature 24 wide seats arranged in a 2-4-2 configuration, providing passengers with extra legroom and a more comfortable flying experience.

Soon, Air India aircraft will feature onboard WiFi & all-new cabins: Click here

“We are encouraged by the positive guest feedback we have received from the domestic deployment of our air india a350 interior to offer our hero product on the Delhi-New York JFK and Delhi-Newark routes. This is a significant leap forward for our U.S. operations that also underscores our commitment to continuous improvement,” said Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director of Air India.

The A350’s Business class will set new standards with 28 private suites, each equipped with full-flat beds, direct aisle access, and personal wardrobes. Economy class will be configured to accommodate 264 passengers in a 3-4-3 layout. Across all cabins, passengers will enjoy the latest Panasonic eX3 in-flight entertainment system, offering over 2,200 hours of content.

Air India’s First A350-900: Interior, Routes, &Inflight Features: Click here

This strategic deployment marks a notable enhancement in Air India’s U.S. operations, with 60% of its flights to the U.S. now featuring new or upgraded cabin interiors. The air india new international routes currently operates 51 weekly flights to five U.S. destinations: New York JFK, Newark, Washington DC, Chicago, and San Francisco.

The revamped cabins, advanced in-flight entertainment systems, and improved service standards represent air india wifi commitment to providing a superior travel experience. “We believe this enhanced offering will solidify Air India’s position as a leading carrier and attract travellers seeking a world-class flying experience between India and the United States,” the airline stated.

Seats on these flights are now available for booking on Air India’s website, mobile app, and through travel agents, ensuring that passengers can easily plan their journeys on these newly upgraded routes.