Cathay Pacific stellt seinen schicken neuen Business-Class-Sitz „Aria Suite“ vor

Cathay Pacific stellt seinen schicken neuen Business-Class-Sitz „Aria Suite“ vor

ADVERTISEMENTNewsCathay Pacific unveils its swanky new 'Aria Suite' business-class seatNicky KelvinNicky KelvinSenior director of contentNicky Kelvin oversees the Webby- and Lovie-awarded U.K. team at TPG. He focuses on aviation, video and social media, especially TPG's hugely successful YouTube channels.Eric RosenEric RosenDirector of travel contentTPG's director of travel content Eric Rosen has used points and miles to visit some of the world's most remote corners, including swimming with whale sharks off Western Australia's Ningaloo Coast, exploring the wilds of Botswana's Okavango Delta and tasting the high-altitude wines of Argentina's Mendoza region.also contributed to this storyOct. 16, 2024•13 min readThe cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don’t cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view ouradvertising policy andproduct review methodology for more information.Cathay Pacific took the wraps off its newest business-class seat today, showing off its new "Aria Suite" at a preview event in a hangar at Hong Kong International Airport (HKG).NICKY KELVIN/THE POINTS GUYThe airline first revealed plans for the new Aria Suite back in March 2024, though the carrier has been relatively quiet about it until now, only saying that the new suites would appear later this year aboard Cathay's Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. Well, it looks like the first plane with the new suites is just about ready to take flight later this week — and TPG got a sneak peek at the airline's event.NICKY KELVIN/THE POINTS GUYHere's what we saw at the Cathay Pacific event and what you need to know about the airline's new business-class seat.What is the Cathay Pacific Aria Suite?Cathay Pacific has been flying a consistent version of its current business class (with some updates as newer aircraft like the Airbus A350 have gone into service) for over a decade now, so the introduction of the Aria Suite represents a big step into the future for the airline.NICKY KELVIN/THE POINTS GUYThat said, it is more of a significant evolution than a complete departure for the airline. Like Cathay's current business class, Aria Suites are laid out in a reverse herringbone-style 1-2-1 configuration, so each seat has direct aisle access.NICKY KELVIN/THE POINTS GUYThose on the sides of the cabin are angled outward toward the window and are great for solo travelers, while those in the center section are angled toward one another, so they might be preferable for passengers traveling with a companion.NICKY KELVIN/THE POINTS GUYEach Aria Suite still has plenty of privacy, though, thanks to high seatback shells, adjustable dividers between the center seats and closing doors shielding them from the aisle. Doors are an increasingly popular feature of next-generation business-class seats, though this is the first time Cathay Pacific has offered them.NICKY KELVIN/THE POINTS GUYUnlike some other airlines like Virgin Atlantic and Starlux that have turned some seats in the first rows of their latest business-class cabins into superior, roomier products, Cathay Pacific's Aria Suites will be uniform throughout.NICKY KELVIN/THE POINTS GUYAria Suites are decorated with a more neutral color palette of taupe, cream, sand and brown tones rather than the airline's signature green, creating a calming environment on board.Daily NewsletterReward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletterJoin over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG’s expertsNICKY KELVIN/THE POINTS GUYThey also incorporate a variety of surface and stowage areas, including a wide, woodgrain and marbleized armrest to one side of the seat with a top panel that slides open to reveal a shallow cubby designed for storing valuables. Another convenient cubby (with an interior lining that provides a flash of that signature green) is also tucked into the seatback shell under a stylish seat-mounted reading light.NICKY KELVIN/THE POINTS GUYAmong the technological advancements Aria Suites will offer are new 24-inch 4K high-definition entertainment screens that are among the largest offered in business class by any airline. They have Bluetooth audio connectivity, so passengers can use their own headphones. The airline promises that passengers will soon even be able to sync up their entertainment choices with travel companions thanks to new system functionality.NICKY KELVIN/THE POINTS GUYOne particularly interesting new feature is the seat's "activity modes." Passengers can select from "movie," "work," "relax," "dine" and "sleep" modes, and at the touch of a button, the suite with adjust the seat position and lighting to suit that activity. Additionally, a guide on the inflight entertainment screen will advise passengers which lavatories are occupied and which are free for use.NICKY KELVIN/THE POINTS GUYThe seats also feature universal power plugs and both USB-A and USB-C charging ports for personal devices, as well as wireless charging pads so you won't have to detangle a Gordian knot of cords when you board or deplane. Passengers can take advantage of free Wi-Fi, too.NICKY KELVIN/THE POINTS GUYThe seat's bifold tray table slides out from under the entertainment system and has a device holder for tablets integrated into its design.NICKY KELVIN/THE POINTS GUYThe tray table also has a unique feature allowing it to be positioned easily at any height in its range by pulling or pushing it into place.NICKY KELVIN/THE POINTS GUYAs you might expect, each seat reclines to a fully lie-flat bed, and passengers can expect the same soft amenities currently available in Cathay Pacific business class, including premium bedding, Bamford amenity kits and menus created in partnership with well-known Hong Kong restaurants.Previous slideNext slide1 of 2NICKY KELVIN/THE POINTS GUY01Don't forget to cast your eye toward the very front of the cabin, where each plane outfitted with Aria Suites will display a unique piece of art inspired by Hong Kong's cityscapes and natural surroundings. The piece will be created by artists with a connection to the destination as part of the airline's self-described "gallery in the skies."NICKY KELVIN/THE POINTS GUYWhich planes will have Cathay Pacific Aria Suites?Cathay Pacific will install Aria Suites aboard its fleet of 30 Boeing 777-300ERs at a rate of about one plane per month, meaning the entire retrofit should be complete by the end of 2027.NICKY KELVIN/THE POINTS GUYThe airline is removing first class from these jets, though it has disclosed plans to install an all-new first-class product on its forthcoming fleet of Boeing 777-9s, which the airline has ordered 21 of and expects to take delivery of starting sometime in 2026 (pending any delays from the jet manufacturer). The Boeing 777-9s will also have Aria Suite business-class cabins on board.NICKY KELVIN/THE POINTS GUYWant to know if a specific flight has the new Aria Suites aboard? Your first clue will be if the Boeing 777 has a first-class cabin or not. If it does, it has not yet been retrofitted.NICKY KELVIN/THE POINTS GUYIf your flight is on a three-cabin (business, premium economy and economy) Cathay Pacific Boeing 777, the next thing you have to look at is seat count. The airline's current three-class Boeing 777s have 368 seats: 40 in business class, 32 in premium economy and 296 in economy.Previous slideNext slide1 of 6Cathay Pacific's new premium economy product. NICKY KELVIN/THE POINTS GUY012345Boeing 777-300ERs with the new Aria Suite will have 45 business-class seats, 48 premium economy seats and 268 economy seats. So, the planes are gaining five seats in business class and 16 seats in premium economy (which will also be an updated product previewed for us in April) but are losing 28 economy seats. The economy seats are also a refreshed version of the existing product.Previous slideNext slide1 of 5NICKY KELVIN/THE POINTS GUY01234The business-class cabin on reconfigured planes will be split into two sections. The first, at the front of the plane, will have six rows of four seats each, plus a single side seat in the last row. The smaller section, which will be behind an area with the galley and a lavatory, will have five rows of four seats each. The whole business-class cabin will have a total of three lavatories: two at the front near the cockpit and one between the two sections of business class.NICKY KELVIN/THE POINTS GUYIf in doubt, check your flight's seat map against the seat configuration displayed on Cathay Pacific's website. The Boeing 777-300ERs with Aria Suites aboard will be denoted as 77J.Which routes will feature Cathay Pacific Aria Suites?We do not yet know exactly which routes will feature Aria Suites in the long term, but it is expected that once the airline has taken delivery of three retrofitted jets by January, it will begin flying long-haul routes.For now, the first Cathay Pacific jet to sport them will be operating daily flights between HKG and Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) from Oct. 18-31. Specifically, the jet will fly the following frequencies:Cathay Pacific flight CX 332: will depart Hong Kong at noon and arrive in Beijing at 3:30 p.m. local timeCathay Pacific flight CX 331: will depart Beijing at 4:50 p.m. and arrive in Hong Kong at 8:35 p.m. local timeThese flights are subject to change, though, so always double-check your seat configuration ahead of departure in case there are any last-minute equipment swaps.NICKY KELVIN/THE POINTS GUYAt the time of publication, business-class seats appeared to be sold out in both directions on most days, but that could be for a number of reasons. If you do intend to be in the region and can take one of these flights (remember to check visa requirements!), you might have better luck booking close in.How to book Cathay Pacific Aria SuitesDue to the limited number of planes likely to have Aria Suites in the near future and the single-jet-per-month rollout time frame, it's unlikely that we will see Cathay Pacific Boeing 777-300ERs with the new suites on board flying to the U.S. on a regular basis anytime soon. That might not matter too much, though, since Cathay Pacific business-class awards have been nearly impossible to book using American Airlines AAdvantage or Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles in recent years.Hopefully, that will change, and if it does, at current mileage prices, you'll need 110,000 American miles or 75,000 to 85,000 Alaska miles from the airline's destinations in the U.S., including Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD), Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) starting in April 2025, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO).In the meantime, your best bet for booking award flights on the carrier might be to redeem miles from Cathay Pacific's Asia Miles program. Asia Miles is a transfer partner of American Express Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Capital One miles and Citi ThankYou Rewards. Tickets between Hong Kong and the airline's various U.S. gateways will range from 84,000 to 110,000 Asia Miles one-way in business class. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Points Guy (@thepointsguy)Featured image by NICKY KELVIN/THE POINTS GUYEditorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.TPG featured cardBest for businesses with high spendingCapital One Venture X BusinessApply for Capital One Venture X BusinessTerms & restrictions apply. See rates & feesTPG Editor‘s RatingOpen Editors ratingCard Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.4.5 / 5Go to reviewApply nowApply for Capital One Venture X Businessat Capital One's secure siteRewards2 - 10X milesdetails2X miles2 miles per dollar on every purchase5X miles5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel10X miles10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business TravelIntro offerEarn 150,000 bonus milesdetailsEarn 150,000 bonus miles once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months from account openingAnnual Fee$395Recommended Credit740-850Excellentmore infoCredit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Why We Chose ItThe Capital One Venture X Business Card has all the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has to offer and more. It offers an incredible welcome bonus and requires an equally impressive spend to qualify. In addition, the card comes with premium travel perks like annual travel credit.Pros & ConsProsThe Capital One Venture X business card has a very lucrative welcome offer.In addition, the card comes with many premium travel perks such as an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel.Business owners are also able to add employee cards for free.ConsThe card requires significant spending to earn the welcome offer.Another drawback is that the annual travel credit can only be used on bookings made through Capital One Business Travel. More DetailsEarn 150,000 bonus miles once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months from account openingEarn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictionsEarn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business TravelWith no preset spending limit, enjoy big purchasing power that adapts so you can spend more and earn more rewardsEmpower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with easeRedeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programsEvery year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings made through Capital One Business TravelReceive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollmentEnjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier CollectionThis is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every monthApply nowApply for Capital One Venture X Businessat Capital One's secure siteTerms & restrictions apply. See rates & feesBest for businesses with high spendingCapital One Venture X BusinessTPG Editor‘s RatingOpen Editors ratingCard Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.4.5 / 5Go to reviewRewards Rate2X miles2 miles per dollar on every purchase5X miles5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel10X miles10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business TravelIntro OfferOpen Intro bonusEarn 150,000 bonus miles once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months from account openingEarn 150,000 bonus milesAnnual Fee$395Recommended CreditOpen Credit score descriptionCredit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.740-850ExcellentWhy We Chose ItThe Capital One Venture X Business Card has all the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has to offer and more. It offers an incredible welcome bonus and requires an equally impressive spend to qualify. In addition, the card comes with premium travel perks like annual travel credit.View MorePros + consMore DetailsProsThe Capital One Venture X business card has a very lucrative welcome offer.In addition, the card comes with many premium travel perks such as an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel.Business owners are also able to add employee cards for free.ConsThe card requires significant spending to earn the welcome offer.Another drawback is that the annual travel credit can only be used on bookings made through Capital One Business Travel. Earn 150,000 bonus miles once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months from account openingEarn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictionsEarn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business TravelWith no preset spending limit, enjoy big purchasing power that adapts so you can spend more and earn more rewardsEmpower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with easeRedeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programsEvery year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings made through Capital One Business TravelReceive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollmentEnjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier CollectionThis is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every monthgtm--featured-card-10186