For jetsetters, an elevated way of travelling is just part of the deal. Whether it’s a long or short-haul flight, if it amps up the comfort and luxury, we’re all in. That’s exactly what Cathay Pacific has done with its revamped business class cabin, called the Aria Suite that launched on Oct. 18, 2024. It’s like the hotel stay before the actual stay, and it’s rolling out to Cathay’s fleet over the next three years.
A New Way to Fly
Cathay Pacific debuted the Aria Suite during its inaugural flight from Hong Kong to Beijing. The luxury airline announced that it plans to invest HK$100 billion ($12.8 billion USD) in upgrading its fleet, cabin products, lounges, and digital and sustainability leadership. That includes its business class section with improved comfort and privacy. Cathay Pacific will eventually add the new cabin seats to planes on other regional and long-haul routes.
Prime Personal Space
Personal space is not understated in the new setup. The wraparound seats on Cathay Pacific’s Boeing 777-300ER aircraft come with sliding partitions to create your own designated space. You can adjust the seats to lay completely flat for sleeping or upright for eating. They feature a supportive, premium leather headrest and a lining of rohi’s soft, ethically sourced wool for added comfort. Plus, you can read, work or rest with optimal lighting, using the ambient lighting you can control from your touchscreen.
Entertainment in the Sky
In-flight entertainment is a must, especially on hours-long journeys. As you wirelessly charge your phone mid-flight, you can check your socials, send emails or listen to a playlist with complimentary WiFi. If you want to watch all the award-winning movies you missed last year, you can use your own Bluetooth-enabled, 24-inch 4K touchscreen monitor. You can also admire curated artwork from artists with a connection to Hong Kong.
A Dining Adventure
Finally, Cathay Pacific did not forget about the menu (which often feels like an afterthought for some airlines). The refreshed menu is created with the help of leading Hong Kong chefs and Michelin-star restaurants. Pair the dishes with a beverage from Cathay Pacific’s award-winning Business cellar, which will make you reconsider your feelings about airplane food. Think dim sum to wake up your senses at breakfast, and seasonal claypot rice to keep you warm this winter at dinner.
FAQs
Q: Which Michelin-star restaurants has Cathay Pacific partnered with to curate their menus in the Aria Suite?
A: Cathay Pacific has partnered with three Michelin-star Hong Kong-based restaurants to bring traditional and seasonal flavors on board. They are Yat Tung Heen, Duddell’s and Louise.
Q: What can I watch on my personal touchscreen on a Cathay Pacific flight?
A: On a Cathay Pacific flight, with your 4K touchscreen monitor, you can catch new film releases, Asian cinema classics, HBO Max, award-winning TV box sets, live sports and select Disney+ Original titles. If you’d prefer resting your eyes, you can listen to the latest albums and podcasts.
Q: What other luxury features does the the Aria Suite include?
A: Each seat comes with a personal storage compartment lined in Ultraleather. It has an embroidered inlay tray, a sliding console and a drawer to store your valuables for whenever you need to leave your seat and freshen up.
