Bound for Australia: Cathay unveils new business class, premium economy

Sliding privacy doors, bigger entertainment screens, preset movie and meal modes, and an art gallery in the skies.

Those are just some of the features Cathay Pacific’s Australian customers can expect in the coming months, as the airline begins a global roll-out of its redesigned cabins – and much-hyped new business-class suites – from Friday.

Cathay Pacific’s all-new flat-bed Aria Suite business-class replaces both existing first and business class.

The airline unveiled the first of its refurbished three-class Boeing 777-300ERs in a hangar at Hong Kong International Airport on Wednesday – part of a major fleet overhaul conceived seven years ago – but all eyes were on its reimagined business-class Aria Suites.

Traveller had a sneak peek at the new-look aircraft – which also features a redesigned premium economy and refreshed economy – ahead of the first commercial flight to Beijing on Friday.

The airline is on track for an Australian roll-out within the next six months, but is tight-lipped on which city – Sydney or Melbourne – will be first off the rank.

But the number of Australians travelling to Hong Kong remains well below pre-COVID levels, with just 110,000 visitors to August this year, compared with more than 160,000 for the same period in 2019 – a decline of 46 per cent.

Cathay has struggled with a pilot shortage and is not yet back to its pre-pandemic capacity. It aims to reach that level by early 2025. The airline announced a first-half decline in profit of 15 per cent in August, citing lower airfares.

As part of the multimillion-dollar refurbishment, the airline’s first-class cabin has been removed, replaced with 45 flat-bed Aria suites; 48 premium economy seats (an increase of 16); and 268 economy seats. The airline is one of several that have ditched first-class seats in favour of upgraded business-class offerings, with the luxury of first-class travel increasingly a rarity in the sky.

The mastermind behind the new premium suite, Cathay Pacific’s general manager for customer experience and design Vivian Lo, said she was most excited about the Aria Suite’s new customisable activity-based chair and lighting presets.

Instantly adjust lighting and seat position with new presets for dining, sleeping, take-off and more.

“There are all sorts of airline advancements in terms of the seats or suites, everyone has a door and big TV, but [for Cathay] it’s the execution that makes the difference,” said Lo.

“With one touch, I can choose Movie [mode]. In two seconds, the seat, the lighting is optimised to be the best experience.”

The touchscreen controls feature an array of presets for lighting and seat position, which passengers can adjust at the press of a button by selecting taxi, take-off, landing, meal, reading, lounge or bed.

With cream and caramel tones and a stylish wrap-around seat design, the Aria comes with a lie-flat bed, a marble-style side console with built-in wireless charger for smartphones and other devices, multiple storage spaces, charging ports and sliding privacy doors.

Cathay’s new premium economy features the same generous recline and seat dimensions.

Passengers can also pair Bluetooth-enabled headphones and access a screen app for checking lavatory status from the comfort of their suite, to save lining up for the loo.

Another novelty is the “Gallery in the Skies” at the business class cabin’s entrance, featuring works from artists with a connection to Hong Kong, ranging from urban landscapes to vivid dreamscapes.

The revamped premium economy seats, which come in a palette of brown leather and cool blue, feature a seat pitch of 40 inches (102 centimetres) and a width of 21 inches (53 centimetres), with a swing-up leg rest.

The 4K high-definition touchscreens with Bluetooth connectivity are 15.6 inches (40 centimetres) and feel enormous.

Passengers can enjoy added privacy thanks to an adjustable wing with an integrated reading light.

Each seat has a leather headrest with adjustable privacy wings and an integrated reading light, a press-button tray table and an additional cocktail table with extendable surface.

The economy refresh includes new dress covers, enhanced ergonomics and additional overhead bin space. It features the same flexible headrest, tablet holder, USB charging ports and power outlets as the previous design.

Starting October 18, one of 30 refurbished 777s will be rolled out each month until 2027.

As part of the fleet overhaul, Cathay will be taking delivery of 22 new Boeing 777-9 jets from 2026, featuring a new first-class seat.

There are also plans to launch new cabins on its A330s, along with a new flat-bed business class.

The writer travelled to Hong Kong as a guest of Cathay Pacific.