Qatar Airways now has four ex-Cathay Pacific B777-300ERs, although only three are operational as the fourth was delivered recently. They come as 21 A350s remain grounded due to surface degradation issues. The B777s are unique for Qatar Airways as they still have first-class cabins which will be used. The aircraft are expected to be fully deployed from mid-March.
Qatar Airways' four ex-Cathay B777-300ERs
Qatar Airways now has four ex-Cathay Pacific B777-300ERs, with the initial three arriving in November and December. They were followed by three A330-300s wet-leased from Oman Air, which are used to Colombo, Dhaka, and Tunis.
All the aircraft are used because of Qatar Airways' ongoing aircraft shortage, driven by the problems with its A350s. The reason also saw the A380 return to service. Cathay Pacific currently does not need the B777s given the huge difficulties still afflicting Hong Kong.
The fourth Cathay B777 (registered B-KPP) arrived in Doha on January 6th. It hasn't entered service with Qatar Airways yet but will do so soon. When it does, it is believed it'll adopt the registration A7-BOC, as shown below.
- A7-BOA: previously B-KPL with Cathay, delivered in October 2009
- A7-BOB: ex-B-KPM, delivered in December 2009
- A7-BOC: ex-B-KPP, delivered in February 2010
- A7-BOD: ex-B-KPN, delivered in December 2009
These B777s have 296 seats, up to 28% fewer than Qatar Airways' own examples. That's because the ex-Cathay aircraft have a four-class layout, with six first class seats, 53 business, 34 premium economy (which will be sold by Qatar Airways as economy), and 203 in standard economy.
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They currently mainly operate freight flights
The three operational aircraft primarily operate freight services. When writing, A7-BOA is en route from Doha to Europe as Qatar 8864, A7-BOB arrived home on February 1st from Chongqing as Qatar 8353, and A7-BOC last flew on January 27th from Hangzhou to Doha as Qatar 8479.
It's not all freight, though, with the B777s operating limited passenger services in the past week to Paris and Milan. However, things will begin to change in March, when all four aircraft are expected to be fully deployed on passenger services.
They'll be used to Malé and Hong Kong
According to Qatar Airways' booking engine, the first-class-equipped B777s will operate regular passenger service from March 1st, with two daily flights to the Malé, the Maldivies capital. To ensure maximum connectivity over Doha, they'll spend many hours in the Indian Ocean destination.
From March 16th, they'll operate three-daily (!) to Malé and once-daily to Hong Kong, as shown below. Thanks to the Maldives' relaxed entry policy, Malé has recently been a standout performer for Qatar Airways and other airlines. Note that it's highly likely that there will be further changes, especially to Hong Kong.
- B777 one: Doha to Malé, QR676, 01:00-07:40; back, QR677, 20:05-2255
- B777 two: Doha to Malé, QR672, 02:00-08:40; back, QR675, 20:25-23:15
- B777 four: Doha to Hong Kong, QR818, 02:45-15:05; back, QR817, 19:10-23:40
- B777 three: Doha to Malé, QR674, 08:20-15:00; back, QR673, 23:20-02:10+1
What are your views on this development? Let us know in the comments.