Cathay Pacific's Revamped Business Class Offers the Airline's First-ever Closing Doors, Impressive Tech, and Local Artwork — Take a Look

17.10.2024 - 23:01 / travelandleisure.com / Cathay Pacific

Business class cabins on airlines around the world are evolving, becoming less of a seat in the sky and more of a design-centered small hotel room.

And Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific is joining the club. 

The airline, with 88 weekly flights to seven North American gateways, debuted an all-new business class seat and cabin on its Boeing 777-300ER jet called The Aria Suite — and the swanky product was unveiled earlier on Wednesday at a preview event in Hong Kong.

It’s all part of a nearly $13 billion multi-year project to bring refreshed aircraft to passengers along with elegant airport lounges. 

Courtesy of Cathay Pacific

The suite is an evolution of the airline’s current long-haul business class with direct aisle access, offering Cathay’s first-ever closing door and a more “human-centric design.”

“When creating The Aria Suite, we took a lot of care into creating a cocoon oasis of personal space that can transport yourself away,” Vivian Lo, general manager of customer experience and design for Cathay Pacific, said at the event.

There’s ample storage space, impressive technology, and plenty of privacy. That sense of solitude specifically comes from the seat’s high seat back shells, adjustable dividers between the center positions, and doors shielding passengers from the aisle.

On the tech side, an all-new 24-inch 4K high-definition entertainment screen is front and center, among the largest offered in business class on an airline. Bluetooth audio connectivity means wireless charging capabilities, and unique pre-set «movie,» «work,» «relax,» «dine» and «sleep» modes automatically adjust the seat position and lighting to suit that particular activity. The business class seat is also equipped with a wireless charging pad along with various ports.

Courtesy of Cathay Pacific

Elsewhere in the cabin, planes equipped with Aria Suites will include unique art pieces inspired by Hong Kong's natural surroundings which will be created by local artists as part of what the airline is calling a «gallery in the skies.»

“Soft” amenities won’t be changing in Cathay Pacific business class, and that’s not a bad thing. The airline already offers premium bedding with real duvets, Bamford amenity kits, and menus crafted in partnership with renowned Hong Kong restaurants. 

Further back, there’s a new premium economy cabin, too. Expect a 15.6-inch 4K entertainment screen and elevated privacy thanks to customized wings at each headrest. 

Also, in what’s likely an industry-first, all passengers, including those in business, premium economy, and economy, get a unique seat back lavatory monitoring system. Forget the days of having to wait in line for a bathroom, your screen can indicate if a lavatory is available before having to