CATHAY Pacific has launched their new business class pods – and we got a sneak preview.
The new Aria Suite is part of an HK$100billion (£10.2billlion) investment in the airline, often named one of the best in the world.
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The airline’s new business class seats are called the Aria Suite
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Expect hidden compartments and personal mirrors
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The touch screen buttons control lighting and recline
Along with the new business class seats, a new Premium Economy and an updated Economy are part of the plans, as well as new airport lounges.
But the new Aria Suite is an improvement on their current business class option.
At first glance, it’s certainly swish, with cream and white interiors.
The touchscreen buttons let you operate everything the lighting, including mood lights, overhead lights or night-time lights.
It also lets you choose between a lie-flat bed, recline and upright seat, as well as a Do Not Disturb for when you do go to sleep.
The 24-inch, 4K inflight entertainment has Bluetooth audio streaming, so you can attach your own headphones when watching films and TV shows.
You can even see which toilet is free from the touch screen inflight entertainment system, so no more queueing outside.
Don’t worry about storage either – there were three different compartments, with one even having your own private mirror.
And as with most business class seats this days, it comes with its own privacy sliding door.
So how does it live up to other business class seats?
Europe’s best airline reveals new plane cabins
It certainly blows UK airlines out of the water, as Asian airlines have long been the forefront of business class cabins.
It is up there with the Qatar Qsuite, often named the best in the world.
The only downside I noticed was the size of the pod, with the sliding door being extremely small.
Any larger passengers would struggle to get in, with the curved seat shape meaning the back of the seat in front takes up some room of the entryway.
This is compared to the Qsuite door, which has a much larger entry point, or Korean Air’s business class which has an entire private ‘corridor’.
Despite this, it is certainly taking the Cathay Pacific fleet up a notch, with previous business class seats having very little privacy in comparison.
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The seat full reclines too – perfect for a long overnight flight
The suite has been in operation on regional flights across Asia since last year.
The Aria Suite has now be retrofitted on flights from London Heathrow to Hong Kong with connections onto Asia and Australia afterwards.
Passengers will be able to experience it on the London Heathrow flight from 5:50pm to Hong Kong, or on the return flight at 11:35pm.
Cathay Pacific Regional General Manager Brian Tsoi said they were “proud” to launch the new seat.
He added: “With the upcoming launch of new routes from Munich and the return of Brussels and Rome later this year, we’re also further strengthening our commitment to connecting Europe with Hong Kong.
“Our customers will have even more options, with nearly 100 return flights per week between Europe and Hong Kong this summer, ensuring seamless travel and enhanced connectivity for all.”
And Cathay members can take advantage of the Cathay Suite at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane as part of their theatre collaboration.
This means private lounges, exclusive behind the scene tours and restaurant dining.
Here are some other business class flight reviews, including:
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The suites are being fitted on the airline’s London to Hong Kong flights
