The Cathay Group has ordered 14 additional Airbus aircraft, including 11 A330-900s and three A321neos, extending its fleet renewal program even before the first A330neo has been delivered to Cathay Pacific.
Announced on November 11, the agreement increases the group's firm commitment for the A330-900 to 41 aircraft, compared with the 30 ordered in August 2024. The three A321neos will join HK Express, the group's low-cost subsidiary, which already operates 17 aircraft of the type.
The additional A330neos represent a further step toward replacing Cathay Pacific's aging A330-300 fleet. The airline currently has approximately 42 of the earlier-generation widebodies, making its new A330neo order almost equivalent in size to the existing fleet.
However, the airline has not announced a one-for-one replacement plan. The new aircraft are intended to support both fleet renewal and growth, particularly on regional and medium-haul routes from Hong Kong.
A330neo fleet takes shape
Cathay Pacific has operated the A330-300 for decades, using the twin-engine widebody extensively across its Asian network. The aircraft remains an important part of its fleet alongside the larger A350-900 and A350-1000, which serve a greater proportion of its long-haul operations.
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The airline has yet to receive an A330-900, although its first aircraft is already associated with a production serial number, MSN 2214. Its precise assembly status has not been confirmed. The initial batch was scheduled for delivery between 2028 and 2031, with the newly ordered aircraft expected between 2031 and 2035.
The A330neo will therefore become an increasingly important part of Cathay Pacific's fleet over the next decade. Although its 41 firm orders closely match the number of A330-300s currently operated, the airline could retain some older aircraft during the transition or use additional capacity to expand its network.
HK Express adds more high-density A321neos
The three additional A321neos are destined for HK Express, which operates an all-Airbus narrowbody fleet of 42 aircraft, including 17 A321neos, ten older A321-200s and 15 A320-family aircraft.
The low-cost carrier uses its A321neos in a high-density, single-class configuration. Most have 236 seats, although an aircraft delivered in September 2026, registered B-KKR, introduced a 239-seat layout.
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By comparison, Cathay Pacific operates 18 A321neos of its own, delivered between November 2020 and October 2026. These aircraft have two-class cabins with 195 or 202 seats, reflecting the different business models of the group's two passenger airlines.
The latest A321neo purchase builds on the Cathay Group's previous order for 32 A320neo-family aircraft in 2023. It will help HK Express replace older jets and accommodate additional passenger demand, although the group has not specified which existing aircraft, if any, will be retired as a direct result.
