The purchasing policy of the premium airline from Hong Kong was cast into some confusion with the acquisition of the A340. Because contrary to Cathay Pacific’s usual practice of placing handsome orders at Boeing and Airbus, only three examples of the A340-600 were bought. The first two with the registrations B-HQB and B-HQA were added to the fleet in 2002, with B-HQC following in June 2003. Nevertheless, the -600 will most likely be short-lived at Cathay since management has in principle opted for the Boeing 777-300ER as the standard airplane on the airline’s routes.