Cathay Pacific to receive two more Airbus A321neos before the end of the year, as it prepares for the type’s inaugural flight to Shanghai Pudong in August.
Cathay Pacific’s new Airbus A321neo aircraft will make its commercial debut on August 4, 2021, when it flies from Hong Kong to Shanghai (Pudong) for the first time. According to the airline, during August, the airline aims to use the plane on flights to Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Qingdao, Kaohsiung, and Taipei. The new A321neos, according to the airline, provide “the world’s most pleasurable short-haul experience.
Read More: Cathay Pacific rebrands Dragonair as Cathay Dragon
This airline had 16 A321Neo as a firm order from which the four have already been delivered. The two other aircraft are expected to be soon delivered next month to increase their flight service to Shanghai. The other remaining ten aircraft will also be delivered by the end of 2023.
The carrier, based in Hong Kong, has been one among the most impacted by the coronavirus epidemic, which has resulted in the grounding of most of its planes due to a near-total drop in demand for air travel. As part of a “structural adjustment” to safeguard itself until it can resume regular flights, Cathay Pacific was compelled to remove thousands of workers, limit routes, and take other cost-cutting measures.
Due to the COVID 19 pandemic, Cathay Pacific has been losing as much as HK$3 billion a month recently due to the restrictions. The carrier last week warned it was set to post a first-half loss of HK$9.9 billion, and it has turned to the Hong Kong government for support in a HK$39 billion rescue plan.
Service of new A321Neo by Cathay Pacific
The A320 Family’s largest member, the A321, seats up to 240 passengers depending on cabin layout. The A321neo features the newest engines, aerodynamic advancements, and cabin enhancements, resulting in a 20% reduction in fuel usage per seat.
The A320 Family, which includes four variants (A318, A319, A320, and A321), is the world’s best-selling single-aisle product line, with seating ranging from 100 to 240 seats. To date, the Family has received over 13,200 orders and delivered over 7,700 aircraft to over 400 clients and operators throughout the world. Since the plane was originally painted in Cathay Dragon’s livery, Cathay Pacific has painted its first Airbus A321neo in Cathay Pacific livery in the last few months.
Cathay Pacific will offer 202 seats on these flights, with 12 in business class and 190 in the economy. It has 12 business class seats divided over three rows in a 2-2 configuration on A321neos, indicating that the airline has installed a new regional business class offering on this jet.
Although there will be no flatbeds, the seats will provide substantially more privacy than the previous model. This is the exact seat that Oman Air chose for its Boeing 737 MAX 8s, albeit airlines can tweak the finishes, so they aren’t identical.
Every seat on the plane will have a personal television (15.6′′ in business class, 11.6′′ in economy), as well as BlueTooth audio streaming, which is a beautiful feature. Power outlets and high-speed Wi-Fi will be available in every seat.
