Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. is doubling down on its long-haul expansion with the first purchase of Boeing Co. widebody aircraft in a dozen years, while it struggles closer to home with its HK Express unit suffering from a sharp drop in regional demand.

Cathay Pacific is betting on the growth of premium, long-haul travel with a deal for more Boeing 777-9 planes.

Boeing (BA) and Cathay Pacific (CPCAF) (CPCAY) said on Wednesday that the Hong Kong-based carrier is ordering 14 more 777-9 passenger jets, bringing its order book to 35 of the world's largest twin-engine airplanes.