Cathay Pacific Reportedly Plans Talks for Up to 50 More Widebody Jets

October 15, 2026 — Bloomberg reports that Cathay Pacific plans to talk with Airbus and Boeing next year about ordering up to 50 more widebody aircraft. The report cites people familiar with the matter.

What’s reported

Size: Up to 50 additional widebody aircraft. Specific models have not been reported.
Timing: Talks with both manufacturers are planned for 2027. Separately, Cathay is close to deciding whether to take more single-aisle and widebody jets using options and purchase rights it already holds. That decision could come as soon as November.
Current backlog: Just over 100 aircraft, worth about HK$150 billion (around US$19 billion) at list prices. The backlog includes 35 Boeing 777-9s and 30 Airbus A330neos, with deliveries scheduled from 2027 to 2034.
Current fleet: The Cathay group, which includes Cathay Pacific and HK Express, operates 235 Airbus and Boeing aircraft.
Drivers: Record passenger numbers, partly from travellers avoiding Middle East connections, plus strong cargo demand linked to AI-related equipment.
Cathay’s response: The airline said it “reviews its fleet requirement on an ongoing basis” and does not comment on market rumours.

What it means for non-revs

No short-term change. Any new order would deliver years from now. The near-term question is whether Cathay takes up existing options, with a decision possible in November.
Hong Kong flights are full. Cathay’s record passenger numbers mean high loads, especially with travellers routing around the Middle East. If you are using ZED or interline travel to Asia through HKG, give yourself extra flights to fall back on.
Cathay is growing. A long-haul fleet of this size points to more frequencies and destinations later this decade. That would mean more seats over time on oneworld routes through Hong Kong.