Just two days ago, Cebu Pacific’s very first Airbus A330neo took its very first test flight. This is indeed an exciting time for Cebu Pacific, being the only airline in the Philippines who took delivery of brand new aircraft since the start of the pandemic. This last quarter of the year, Cebu Pacific is bound to take in their very first Airbus A330-900neo?
Now the question some have been asking is how did Cebu Pacific secure its A330-900 in time when airlines have deferred the delivery of their ordered A330neos such as AirAsia X? Some are also asking if Cebu Pacific will begin flying long-haul low-cost flights between Manila and the United States West Coast.
Here are some things to know about Cebu Pacific’s Airbus A330-900neo.
Cebu Pacific does not intend to use this A330-900neo for scheduled United States West Coast flights
The airline ordered the A330-900neo at a time when airport congestion was a problem and adding capacity was a challenge. The primary intention why Cebu Pacific ordered 16 A330-900neo is to be able to increase capacity in congested airports without having to request additional slots. This would save them for gate rental, landing fees, and additional costs with adding another flight to increase capacity. The logic is simple. Instead of having two Airbus A321 flights to accommodate 400 passengers, they would rather have one A330neo flight which could take in the same number.
Flying between Manila and the US West Coast was the least of their priority for the moment. Even if you will look at the proposed seat configuration, this is not meant for ultra-long-haul flights.
The Cebu Pacific A330-900neo will be the most densed A330 in the world
Originally, Cebu Pacific was planning to configure this aircraft with 460 all-economy seats. If this would still be followed, Cebu Pacific will once again hold the record for the densest Airbus A330 in the world. Previously, Cebu Pacific held this record on their A330-300 aircraft with 436 all-economy seats. However, this record was overtaken by Lion Air after they configured their A330-300 with 440 all-economy seats.
Now, having a very dense seating of 460 all-economy seats is an obvious sign that Cebu Pacific does not intend to use the aircraft for US West Coast flights. Instead, it takes the job of 2 aircraft by taking in almost the same capacity, which will allow the airline to save on costs and to continue to provide low fares for passengers.
Cebu Pacific’s very first A330-900neo was originally intended for AirAsia X
While the back-order of Airbus A330-900neo of Cebu Pacific is still at 16 based on the Airbus database as of August, it is said that three A330-900s originally intended for AirAsia X will be going to the former. Other aviation media sites now say that the total back-order is now at 19. So two things may happen. Either Cebu Pacific will be taking in 19 of the three are part of the 16 orders.
These A330-900neo frames supposedly intended for AirAsia X are MSN 1970, 1973, and 1976 according to industry sources. AirAsia X is still negotiating its debt restructuring at the moment so all plans are now on hold.
The Airbus A330-900neo can actually fly Manila to Los Angeles non-stop
Unlike its predecessor, the A330-900neo has a range of 13,334km. Flights between Manila and Los Angeles are within the range of the A330-900neo depending on the seat configuration. This would be possible if the aircraft were to be configured with perhaps 260 to 300 seats in a 3-class configuration. However as mentioned above, with Cebu Pacific’s supposed 460 all-economy seat configuration, flying Manila to Los Angeles non-stop would be very unlikely. Maybe in the future yes, but then again on Cebu Pacific’s number crunchers.
Philippine Airlines has been the dominant force for the Manila to the United States mainland non-stop flights, being equipped with ultra-long-range aircraft such as the Airbus A350-900 and Boeing 777-300ER.
However, for Cebu Pacific, their concentration, for now, is to build higher capacity within its network of domestic and regional destinations.
We can’t wait to finally see Cebu Pacific’s first A330-900neo in Manila!
