In March 2024, Cathay Pacific formally unveiled the small print of its new enterprise class product, which is an thrilling improvement for the provider. Whereas the entry into service for this product was delayed, there’s an thrilling replace, because the product is welcoming its first clients. The airline simply had a launch occasion for the brand new cabin, so we’ve discovered some extra particulars about what we will count on.
New Cathay Pacific Boeing 777 enterprise class particulars
Hong Kong-based oneworld member Cathay Pacific is introducing a brand new enterprise class on its Boeing 777-300ERs, and the product is called Aria Suite. Under you may see a 90-second teaser video in regards to the up to date cabins.
Right here’s what we do know about Cathay Pacific’s new Aria Suite enterprise class:
- These are reverse herringbone seats in a 1-2-1 configuration
- The seats have privateness doorways, which is more and more turning into the usual in enterprise class
- The seats have nice tech, together with 24″ 4K leisure screens that’s in a set place, bluetooth audio, wi-fi charging, and a few distinctive options, like a monitor exhibiting which bathrooms are occupied
- The seats have enclosed storage compartments
Cathay Pacific created this product in partnership with JPA Design, which has been a companion of the airline for a very long time. Whereas the seat was developed by Collins Aerospace, the airline has stopped wanting revealing which platform it’s based mostly on, as an alternative emphasizing that it’s closely personalized. And certainly, it does appear like a singular product.
Presumably it makes use of some parts of both the Tremendous Diamond seat (like British Airways’ Membership Suites product), or the Aspect seat (which debuted on Starlux’s Airbus A350-900s, although it’s additionally being put in on newly delivered Etihad Boeing 787-9s).
Cathay Pacific is first reconfiguring its three class Boeing 777-300ERs, and under you may see the up to date seat map for the jets that includes the Aria Suite product. The airline is vastly boosting premium capability as these planes are being reconfigured:
- At present the three cabin 777-300ERs have 368 seats, together with 40 enterprise class seats, 32 premium economic system seats, and 296 economic system seats
- As soon as reconfigured, the three cabin 777-300ERs can have 361 seats, together with 45 enterprise class seats, 48 premium economic system seats, and 268 economic system seats
Shedding 28 economic system seats so as to acquire 5 enterprise class seats and 16 premium economic system seats is sort of a deal! 😉
Cathay Pacific Aria Suite route plans
Cathay Pacific is initially flying its 777-300ERs with Aria Suites on intra-Asia routes, for crew familiarization, and till the fleet is bulked up a bit. The airline has scheduled the reconfigured jet to fly from Hong Kong (HKG) to Beijing (PEK) between October 18 and October 31, 2024. Particularly, the jet will function the next frequencies:
CX332 Hong Kong to Beijing departing 12:00PM arriving 3:30PM
CX331 Beijing to Hong Kong departing 4:50PM arriving 8:35PM
The expectation is that the plane will quickly fly extra brief haul routes inside Asia, together with choose flights to Shanghai (PVG), Singapore (SIN), Taipei (TPE), and Tokyo (HND).
Then as of January 2025, the plan is to start out providing the Aria Suite product on lengthy haul flights, as soon as Cathay Pacific has no less than three 777s with the inside. Cathay Pacific plans to first provide the Aria Suite product to Europe, with London (LHR) anticipated to be the primary vacation spot. I’d speculate that the primary frequency could be the one each day flight that’s presently operated by a 3 cabin 777-300ER.
For what it’s price, B-KPO is the primary 777 to get the brand new cabins, because the 14-year-old jet spent a number of months in Xiamen (XMN). In the meantime B-KQQ is the second 777 to get new cabins, with the 10-year-old plane being within the hangar in Hong Kong (HKG) since September 2024.
Will different Cathay Pacific plane get these new seats?
Remember the fact that Cathay Pacific was initially aspiring to introduce all-new premium cabins on its Boeing 777-9s, of which the airline has 21 on order. Nonetheless, that plane has been delayed by no less than six years because of certification points, from 2020 to 2026 (or later).
Presumably Cathay Pacific determined it was time to refresh its cabins even earlier than these planes enter service. I’d assume that Cathay Pacific intends to introduce the identical product on 777-9s, since I can’t think about the airline would introduce two separate lengthy haul enterprise class merchandise simply a few years aside.
To this point there’s no indication of Cathay Pacific refreshing its Airbus A350s with the identical product, although I think about that might come sooner or later as nicely. Cathay Pacific hopes to complete reconfiguring its current 777s by the tip of 2027.
What about Cathay Pacific top notch?
A few of Cathay Pacific’s Boeing 777-300ERs characteristic a first-class cabin. This consists of six seats, unfold throughout two rows in a 1-1-1 configuration. Whereas this isn’t the world’s most personal top notch, it’s certainly one of my favorites.
With Cathay Pacific introducing a brand new enterprise class product on 777s, what about top notch? Nicely, Cathay Pacific is growing a brand new top notch seat, which is rumored to be named Halo Suite. Nonetheless, it will solely be launched on Boeing 777-9s in 2026 and past, so there are not any plans for this to make its debut on current 777s.
As a matter of reality, Cathay Pacific intends to take away top notch from its 777s, because the jets are reconfigured with the brand new cabins. So finally no 777-300ERs will characteristic top notch, whereas all 777-9s will characteristic top notch.
I think about that Cathay Pacific will first attempt to reconfigure its three cabin 777s, earlier than reconfiguring those with 4 cabins. Now, it stays to be seen how this timeline works out, particularly with continued delays on the 777-9.
I wouldn’t be shocked to see this technique shift, particularly with continued supply delays on the 777-9.
Backside line
Cathay Pacific is introducing a brand new enterprise class product on its Boeing 777-300ERs, often called Aria Suite. You may count on new reverse herringbone seats with privateness doorways and nice tech, in what appears to be a really good enchancment over the prevailing seat. I’d assume that this is identical product that can finally be put in on Boeing 777-9s.
We’re lastly seeing this launched. Over the approaching months, the Aria Suite product shall be obtainable on choose routes inside Asia. Then as of January 2025, it ought to make its lengthy haul debut, with Europe (and possibly London) anticipated to be the primary vacation spot.
I’m impressed by this premium product funding, given what a troublesome few years Cathay Pacific has had! Clearly the airline is dedicated to providing a high quality product, and that’s all the time thrilling to see.
What do you make of Cathay Pacific’s new Aria Suite enterprise class?
