Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific Airways is ordering 14 new Boeing 777-9 passenger aircraft as it expands and updates its fleet, raising its total order to 35 of the still-to-be-introduced twin-engine jets. Neither Boeing nor its customer indicated the value of the booking, but it would be worth $6.19 billion based on list prices and raise the total order to roughly $15.48 billion.
The 777-9 will be the larger of two passenger variants of the new 777X series jets, and with a length of 251 ft 9 in. (76.7 m) it will be the largest twin-engine jet ever built, according to Boeing.
Cathay Pacific also committed to the GE9X high-bypass turbofan engines to power the new jets, adding roughly $980 million to the total cost of the new order, based on list prices. The order also includes maintenance, repair, and overhaul of the GE9X engines.
"Combining the world's largest twin-engine commercial passenger jet and the most powerful commercial aircraft engine will enable Cathay to reach destinations across the globe," according to Mahendra Nair, GE Aerospace group vice president for commercial programs.
The Boeing 777X series is a new version of the 777 high-capacity long-range jets due to be introduced in 2026 after several delays in development and certification. The OEM has logged 555 total orders for the 777X – 453 for the larger 777-9 variant, 43 for the 777-8, and 59 for the 777-8F cargo jet version. The passenger jets are designed for up to 426 passengers, such as those routes long-served by Boeing’s 747 aircraft.
Boeing emphasizes that the 777X aircraft are designed to reduce fuel consumption and emissions by an average of 20%, and noise by 40%, compared to the current long-haul aircraft models.
"We plan to expand and renew our fleet with the additional 777-9 aircraft, enabling us to continue our rich history of connecting the world with our Hong Kong hub," stated Ronald Lam, CEO of the airline group. "Cathay Pacific aims to further strengthen our ongoing partnership with Boeing and leverage the world-class features of the new 777-9 as we strive to become the world's best premium airline."