Cathay Pacific’s First A350-900 Flies Maiden Flight

Cathay Pacific’s A350-900 makes first flight. Photo: Airbus

[Avionics Today 03-29-2016] The first A350-900 for Cathay Pacific Airways has completed its maiden flight in Toulouse, France. The aircraft will now enter the final phase of production including cabin completion, further ground checks and test flights before being prepared for delivery in the second quarter of the year.

The aircraft will be the first of 48 A350 XWBs acquired by Cathay Pacific. The airline’s A350 XWB fleet will include 22 A350-900s and 26 of the larger A350-1000s, for operation on long- and medium-haul services.

Asia-Pacific airlines have placed 241 firm orders for the new aircraft already total, representing more than a third of total sales for the A350 XWB to date.