Cathay Pacific's New First Class is 'Mindblowing' Says Chairman

22.10.2024 - 12:45 / skift.com / Cathay Pacific / Gordon Smith / Vivian Lo / Kelly Ortberg

Last week was an important one for Cathay Pacific. The Hong Kong carrier unveiled its new business class cabin, known as the ‘Aria Suite’. The product represents a significant leap forward in passenger comfort and design for some of the airline’s most lucrative customers – but the launch presented questions about future of first class.

Cathay’s ambition is to be the world’s best premium airline. The carrier already competes strongly with international rivals, but there’s no room for complacency in this industry – especially at the top end of the market.

As work begins on rolling out Aria to 30 of Cathay’s Boeing 777-300ERs, attention (and speculation) now turns to first class. This ultra-exclusive cabin is part of the airline’s DNA. In 1983, it became the Asian carrier to offer first, business, and economy services on every flight.

More recently, it has trimmed back its first class offering to a select fleet of 777-300ERs – as pictured above. These typically operate to global centers including London, Paris, and New York. However, even these planes are due to lose their first class seats when they enter the maintenance hangar to have Aria fitted. So what’s going on?

Speaking exclusively to Skift onboard the first Aria-equipped jet, Patrick Healy, the Cathay Chairman, reinforced the airline’s commitment to first class. “If you aspire to be one of the best – or ultimately, hopefully, – the best premium airline in the world, then having a world-leading first class is part of that. I think it’s difficult to claim that you’re really up there without an outstanding first class product.”

Healy’s comments confirm that first class will play an important role in supporting Cathay’s premium ambitions. However, the logistical reality is more complex. 

The airline is awaiting Boeing’s new 777X aircraft before launching a new first class cabin. Earlier this month, Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg announced a further delay to an already troubled program. The first 777Xs were due to arrive in 2020, but a series of setbacks have severely hampered the roll-out. 

Ortberg said on October 11 that Boeing now expects to make the first delivery in 2026 as a result of challenges with development, the ongoing strike, and a pause in flight testing.

Cathay has a confirmed order for 21 777Xs – specifically the 777-9 variant. Earlier plans saw the introduction of the 777X dovetail neatly with the 777-300ER overhauls, but that timeline now appears hugely ambitious. 

Speaking at the Aria launch event, Vivian Lo, Cathay’s head of customer experience and design, explained how the carrier is navigating the delivery challenges and trying to avoid a period without a first class at all.

“We are still working through the plans and thinking through