Cover Cathay Pacific has launched its new Aria Suite Business Class—here’s everything you need to know
Cathay Pacific has launched its new Aria Suite Business Class—here’s everything you need to know
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Cathay Pacific unveiled its new Business Class in an exclusive hangar event on the 16th of October—here’s everything you need to know about the new Aria Suite
On October 18, 2024, Cathay Pacific debuted their newest and most impressive Business Class to date: the Aria Suite. Boasting state-of-the-art enhancements in comfort, privacy, and technology, the Aria Suite is the main attraction of Cathay Pacific’s retrofitted Boeing 777-300ER, which additionally highlights their new Premium Economy and refreshed Economy cabins. But to Vivian Lo, general manager for customer experience and design, the true allure of their new Business Class all boils down to one thing: human-centric design.
“Design has always been a very important part of the Cathay DNA,” Lo explained in an interview with Tatler, “but I stress a lot about human-centric design because I think in this day and age, it’s no longer a competition between just features.” She expounds: “A lot of airlines can have doors, they can have a big TV, but it’s actually [about] the whole execution: whether you understand the needs of the customers, and how you ensure those needs are taken care of…it’s the execution that makes the difference.” As great as the Aria Suite looks on paper, there’s nothing quite like the real deal—and as Lo suggests, it’s in these experiential details that Cathay Pacific truly shines. Thus, on the 16th of October, Tatler Philippines joined Cathay Pacific at Hong Kong International Airport's HAECO hangar to be among the first to experience the brand-new Aria Suite.
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Above Cathay Pacific chief executive officer Ronald Lam (right) with special guest Hollywood actress Fala Chen (left)
Cathay Pacific chief executive officer Ronald Lam (right) with special guest Hollywood actress Fala Chen (left)
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Guests from all corners of the world were buzzing with anticipation as we entered the hangar for the exclusive preview. It didn’t take long for the Boeing 777-300ER to grab our attention: all eyes turned towards the imposing aircraft as the sky turned a warm orange beyond the mountains of Lantau Island. Armed with champagne and other refreshments, we explored the installations across the hangar, including the deconstructed gallery. Here, guests learned all about Cathay Pacific’s Gallery in the Skies: a new initiative featuring 30 purchased and commissioned artworks by 15 artists, each with a deep and sincere connection to Hong Kong. These transportive pieces will welcome guests as they enter the Business Class cabin on the retrofitted Boeing 777-300ER, complete with QR codes that reveal more about the artist.
Eager for the big reveal, we huddled beside the aircraft. “At Cathay, we believe in moving people forward in life,” declared chief customer and commercial officer Lavinia Lau, kicking off the ceremony. “This purpose goes beyond simply flying customers to their destinations; we are deeply woven into Hong Kong’s identity as a global aviation hub. To solidify our role in both the industry and the community, we’ve committed a significant investment of over HK$100 billion over the next seven years into our fleet, cabin products, lounges, and digital and sustainability leadership, reflecting our confidence in Hong Kong’s long-term growth and its position as a key player in global aviation.”
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Above Paramita 0002 by Victor Wong, one of 15 works in Cathay Pacific’s Gallery in the Skies
Paramita 0002 by Victor Wong, one of 15 works in Cathay Pacific’s Gallery in the Skies
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Lau added: “As part of this evolution, we are excited to introduce new seat products over the next three years, each designed to elevate the inflight experience for our customers. First, we are launching our all-new Business and Premium Economy cabins, and a refreshed Economy cabin on our retrofitted Boeing 777-300ER.” Alongside chief executive officer Ronald Lam, special guest Hollywood actress Fala Chen, and top executives from the Cathay Group, Lau unveiled the Aria Suite in the centre of the stage, answered by roaring applause from the audience.
“I’m beyond excited,” exclaimed Lo, who spearheaded the six-year project. She jests, “I’ve been pregnant for a very long time, but my baby is finally born!” Onstage, Lo was joined by Edward Bell, general manager of brand, insights, and marketing communications, who revealed the inspiration behind the name, Aria. “You know that experience when you go to the theatre,” Bell illustrates, “everything is around you, and it’s a perfect performance. There’s a great word that describes this: it’s called an Aria. That gave us inspiration because we think in Business Class, perhaps in the Aria Suite, when everything comes together just right—the service, the F&B, the comfort, the materials, the colours—it makes it feel like it’s all a performance, just for you.
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Above Cathay Pacific’s new Business Cabin, featured in their retrofitted Boeing 777-300ER
Cathay Pacific’s new Business Cabin, featured in their retrofitted Boeing 777-300ER
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With the ceremony concluded, there was only one thing left to do: board the aircraft, to experience the Aria Suite first-hand. “It was the seventh of October,” shared Lo in our interview, recalling the first time she boarded the retrofitted Boeing 777-300ER aircraft herself. “I’ve seen the mock-up many times, I’ve seen the product before, but on the seventh of October when the aircraft arrived in Hong Kong, when all the seats of all the cabins were installed and everything was integrated…I literally almost cried.”
Our enthusiasm was uncontainable as we stepped onto the plane, greeted by their friendly stewardess who welcomed us to Business Class. At the front of the aircraft, Victor Wong’s Paramita 0002, an AI-generated artwork on rice paper, set the mood, perfectly matching the mystical hues of blue and purple that filled the cabin. Without further ado, we settled into our plush Aria Suite.
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Above Cathay Pacific’s new Aria Suite Business Class
Cathay Pacific’s new Aria Suite Business Class
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In a battle of specs, the new Aria Suite can easily go toe-to-toe with other top-of-the-line business-class cabins and confidently come out on top. Employing natural, tactile materials like leather and woven wool, the Aria Suite provides a comfortable oasis further enhanced by the new privacy door—a first-ever for Cathay Pacific. Each suite is equipped with secure compartments and a convenient slide-away drawer to store your passport, watch, and other essential belongings all within arm’s reach. When it’s time for a snooze, simply toggle ‘Do Not Disturb’, activate sleep mode, and watch in awe as the lights dim and your seat converts into a lie-flat bed, all with one touch of a button on the new digital interface.
Those after in-flight entertainment will not be disappointed, either. Browse Cathay Pacific’s award-winning entertainment system on their new 24-inch 4K ultra-high-definition screen and watch the latest films using your personal headphones through Bluetooth connectivity. Optimise your viewing with movie mode, adjusting the lighting and seating to pre-set configurations for the perfect cinema experience. Want to make an adjustment? Go ahead—you can easily save these new settings, tailor fit to your comfort. That’s not all: the new Business Class also features a built-in wireless charger (as a supplement to USB-A, USB-C, and AC power outlets), and complimentary Wi-Fi connectivity.
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Above Set the mood with a quick touch of a button in the new Aria Suite
Set the mood with a quick touch of a button in the new Aria Suite
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As Lo herself has said, it’s no longer a competition between just features, it’s the execution that makes the difference—and Cathay Pacific knocks it out of the park with the Aria Suite. By putting the customer experience at the forefront of its design, Cathay Pacific achieves a product that is innovative yet intuitive, comfortable yet sophisticated. The fancy new features are easy to use and access, all carefully engineered to create a seamless travel experience. Their human-centric design reveals itself subtly, in the thoughtful details that make you wonder, Why didn’t I think of that before?
The long-haul flights on the Aria Suite are further enriched by skincare products, 400-thread-count sheets, and other amenities from Bamford, a British lifestyle brand celebrated for its commitment to sustainability. Likewise, First and Business Class passengers on selected routes have the option of Cantonese meals from Duddell’s or Western meals from Louise by Julien Royer, both of which are Michelin-starred establishments—the perfect meals to pair with Cathay Pacific’s award-winning cellar. “Next year we will also introduce a new suite of signature equipment that will further dial up that experience as well, so watch this space,” Lo teases.
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The retrofitted Boeing 777-300ER and the new Aria Suite debuted on the Hong Kong — Beijing route on October 18
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In addition to the new Aria Suite, Cathay Pacific’s retrofitted Boeing 777-300ER aircrafts feature a new Premium Economy experience and a refreshed Economy cabin, as well as nifty new lavatories with a touchless flush, infrared-activated toilet, and even live lavatory availability status displayed on the screen of each seat.
With the launch of its new Aria Suite Business Class and retrofitted Boeing 777-300ER fleet, Cathay Pacific does well on their promise to solidify their position as one of the world’s best premium airlines, and in turn, strengthen Hong Kong’s reputation as Asia’s World City. Initially, the aircraft will be seen on regional routes, including Beijing, Shanghai, Taipei, Singapore and Tokyo, before progressively being deployed on long-haul routes to destinations in Europe, Southwest Pacific and North America from early next year.
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Learn more about Cathay Pacific’s new Aria Suite here: flights.cathaypacific.com
Credits
Images: Courtesy of Cathay Pacific
About
Lauren’s love for food came much later in life than one would expect— an obsession awakened in the streets of Melbourne’s multicultural dining scene. Armed with this newfound passion, she returned to the Philippines determined to discover the best eats in her home country, with a personal advocacy to champion local cuisines and homegrown talent. Nothing is off-limits; if it’s delicious, it’s worth celebrating.
Work
As Tatler Dining associate editor, Lauren covers all things food and drink, from listing the latest openings in our monthly Dining Radar to interviewing chefs and bartenders about the biggest obstacles crippling the industry today. Beyond the digital space, she also organises Tatler Dining’s tentpole events, including Off Menu and Tatler Dining Kitchen, as well as the annual Tatler Best Philippines awards night and guide launch, detailing the best restaurants in the country.
For leads and event invites, contact her via lauren@tatlerphilippines.com or follow her on Instagram at @laurengolangco.
Photo: Ralph Mendo
