The -1000 is a different aircraft ‘type’, and although it shares many of the characteristics of its smaller sister aircraft, the planning, ordering, specifying, inspecting and certification processes were just as detailed as they were for the -900. Cathay Pacific will be the first airline to operate the -1000 into and out of Hong Kong.

Prior to the aircraft delivery in Hong Kong, Cathay Pacific flight test pilots performed a test of handling and systems at the Airbus headquarters in Toulouse, France. The aircraft was then held at the delivery centre for around 10 days, to attend to work that needed to be carried out as a result of a painstaking inspection.

Only then was the aircraft released for the flight home to Hong Kong – but there will be no respite for the onsite team. The inaugural Airbus A350-1000 is one of a continuous stream this year, with one or two new aircraft joining the fleet each month.

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