In the present article, we introduced a new model of the equations of general ized thermoelasticity for unbounded orthotropic body containing a cylindrical cavity. We applied this model in the context of generalized thermoelasticity with phase-lags under the effect of rotation. In this case, the thermal conductivity of the material is considered to be variable. In addition, the cylinder surface is traction free and subjected to a uniform unit step temperature. Using the Laplace transform technique, the distributions of the temperature, displacement, radial stress and hoop stress are determined. A detailed analysis of the effects of rotation, phase-lags and the variability thermal conductivity parameters on the studied fields is discussed. Numerical results for the studied fields are illustrated graphically in the presence and absence of rotation.