Actually, Cathay Pacific started service with the A340-211 in 1994. Their first A330 was delivered in February, 1995, and their first 777 was delivered in May, 1996.

Why do you say that Air France would certainly go for the A340-500/-600 instead of the B77-200LR/-300ER if the Airbus offered a GE option? They seem to be quite happy operating both the A340-300 and the 777-200ER. I actually agree that a four-engine plane is a better idea when flying long routes over areas with extreme conditions, but there are very few possible routes out of Paris that go over such areas that Air France hasn't already flown over with 767's or A310's.

Also, what makes you think that Cathay Pacific was unhappy with their TriStars? After they took delivery of the two TriStar 100's they bought new, they went on to buy 17 used TriStar 1's. Their first RR-powered 747 didn't arrive until five years after the first TriStar was delivered, so they didn't have a major commitment to the RB211 at that time. Was their experience with the GE-powered Convair 880's and PW-powered 707's so bad that they would only consider planes with RR engines? They also don't seem to have needed higher weight capacity or longer range since they didn't convert their planes to Tristar 200's or 250's as Delta and TWA did.