Cathay Pacific and Boeing have donated the first-ever 777 produced to the Pima Air & Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona.

The aircraft, a 777-200 with the line number WA001 and registered B-HNL, was flown non-stop from its home base in Hong Kong to Tucson and will be permanently displayed at the museum alongside more than 350 other historic aircraft.

WA001 was first flown by Boeing on June 12, 1994, and continued to be used as a test airplane for several years. The aircraft was delivered to Cathay Pacific in 2000 and was withdrawn from service in May 2018. During its time with Cathay, B-HNL operated 20,519 flights, recording 49,687 hours of flying time.

“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,” said Rupert Hogg, chief executive officer of Cathay Pacific. “Our 777-200 aircraft have served us exceptionally well over the last two decades, and as we progressively retire these over the months ahead, we eagerly look forward to welcoming the state-of-the art 777-9 aircraft into our fleet from 2021.”

In the 1990s, Cathay Pacific was one of a handful of airlines to provide input for the 777 at the design stage, which gave the airline a unique opportunity to refine the aircraft’s features to suit its needs. Among the requests were a cabin cross-section similar to the 747 Jumbo Jet, a modern cockpit, a fly-by-wire system and lower operating costs.

Cathay currently operates one of the largest 777 fleets in the world, with four 777-200s, 13 777-300s and 53 777-300ERs. The airline also placed an order for 21 777-9s in December 2013.

“Cathay Pacific has been instrumental in the tremendous success of the 777 programme,” said Kevin McAllister, CEO and president of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “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. We are thrilled to partner with Cathay on this donation to the museum as a way to share the remarkable story of the Boeing 777 for years to come.”