http://www.airbus.com/dynamic/media/press_releases.asp#0

Cathay Pacific is the 1st Asian airline to operate Airbus A340-600, the largest aircraft of Airbus.

What's the best is the cabin is ultra spacious, having only 8 First Class seats of 80" seat pitch and 4-abreast, 60 Business Class seats of 60" seat pitch and 6-abreast, and 220 Economy Class seats. But all these are in expense of very low seating capaity, only 286, even fewer than Virgin Atlantic A340-600 of 313 passengers, and Cathay Pacific A330-300 of 303 passengers in 2-class short haul layout.

These A340-600 enables Cathay Pacific to operate year round direct flights between Hong Kong and Toronto / New York, which is not feasible with A340 and B747 right now. These direct routings and reliable, ETOPS-free quad engine design of A340 would make the 2 Cathay Pacific routes even more attractive, and maximum passenger safety, no need to land at polar aiports with an engine failed in flight.

Hope more Cathay Pacific A340-600 and A380 enter service in the future, so providing more comfortable long haul trips, especially for business class passengers, so they no longer need to suffer middle seat in B747!