Boeing & Cathay Pacific Donate 1st 777 To Aerospace Museum

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Boeing and Cathay Pacific, a Hong Kong-based airline, donated the first Boeing 777 ever built to the Pima Air & Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona, in mid-September. The aircraft first flew in June 1994. (Photo courtesy of Boeing.)

The Pima Air & Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona, recently gained a notable addition to its collection in the form of the first-ever Boeing 777, which Boeing and Chinese airline Cathay Pacific donated. The museum, known as one of the world’s largest devoted to celebrating aerospace, took possession of the 777 (line number WA001 and registered B-HNL) on Sept. 18 and will display it permanently at its 80-acre site, which features more than 350 historical aircraft.

“Tremendous Success”

Reportedly, the 777-200 the museum received completed roughly 20,520 flights and recorded about 50,000 flying hours across 18 years of commercial service. The aircraft first flew in June 1994, joined Cathay Pacific’s fleet in 2000, and was retired this year. Cathay Pacific, one of the 777’s initial customers and operator of one of the world’s largest 777 fleets (reportedly 70), transported the 777 to Tucson from its home airport in China. Boeing says it received 1,600-plus orders for the twin-engine, twin-aisle airplane over the years.

“Cathay Pacific has been instrumental in the tremendous success of the 777 program,” says Kevin McAllister, Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and CEO. “The airline contributed greatly to the airplane’s original design and has been one of its biggest ambassadors ever since. And now they are a launch customer for our new 777X airplane.”

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The 777-200 that Boeing and Cathay Pacific recently donated to the Pima Air & Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona, joined Cathay Pacific’s fleet in 2000. The airline was one of Boeing’s original customers for the aircraft and is a Boeing launch partner for the upcoming 777X. (Photo courtesy of Boeing.)

Making Requests

During the 777’s design phase in the 1990s, Cathay Pacific provided Boeing input, including suggested refinements suitable for its needs. In addition to a cabin cross-section similar to the Boeing 747, Cathay Pacific requested a modern glass cockpit, fly-by-wire system, and lower operating costs, Boeing says. “As the world’s very first 777, B-HNL holds a very special place in the history of both our airline and that of commercial aviation, and we are very pleased it will soon bring enjoyment to enthusiasts at its new home in Arizona,” says Cathay Pacific CEO Rupert Hogg.

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Source: Boeing

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