Aria Suite: where artistry takes flight

At Cathay, we’ve always put the needs of our passengers first. That’s why we’ve given our 30 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft a major update, featuring new Business and Premium Economy cabins, as well as a refreshed Economy. Since the middle of last month, our retrofitted aircraft have begun to progressively return to the skies, offering passengers an experience defined by next-level comfort, enhanced privacy and intuitive functions – ideal for long-haul routes. 

The overhaul is part of a wider strategy to make your journey with us the best that it can be. “Each plane is on a schedule for us to bring in fresh new products that ensure we deliver on our ambition to be one of the world’s greatest service brands – and, from there, the best premium airline,” says Vivian Lo, General Manager Customer Experience and Design at Cathay.

You’ll notice the difference as soon as you step into Business. The all-new Aria Suite is unmistakably the star of our refurbished fleet, with every design element carefully selected to elevate your experience on board.

To create the perfect suite, the Cathay Customer Experience and Design team worked with our long-standing partners JPA Design. The brief was ambitious: Business travellers today have a long list of needs – and high expectations. 

“It’s important to understand that the seat is a multi-purpose space,” Lo explains. “It’s a bed, a private cinema, an office and a dining room. So we had to design a suite with the right ambience and design elements.” 

The Aria Suite was meticulously crafted with you in mind. “It’s one of the most comfortable Business seats out there,” says Elliott Koehler, Creative Director at JPA Design. A sleek, wraparound design, privacy door and sliding partition give you the personal space to unwind. The fully lie-flat bed, lined with soft Rohi wool, ensures you’re cocooned in comfort throughout your journey. 

Another feature we’re proud of is the Aria Suite’s intelligent lighting. Whether you want to bask in a warm glow or work under a bright beam, you can adjust the ambience from any seat position. 

Wherever possible, we’ve incorporated leading technology to deliver an outstanding passenger experience. Nowhere is this more prominent than our state-of-the-art inflight entertainment system, which boasts a 24-inch 4K screen with Bluetooth audio pairing for an immersive cinematic experience. The widescreen monitor also functions as the central touchpoint to adjust your seat position and lighting.

Every detail of the Aria Suite is designed to be intuitive and “human-centric”, says Koehler. This extends to the many discreet storage spaces, which illuminate when opened – perfect for storing your personal items. The embroidered leather lining within the storage compartments adds a touch of sophistication.

It’s this commitment to artistry that sets our new Business class experience apart. We’re taking this a step further with Gallery in the skies, which brings 30 specially commissioned works of art to our new Business cabins. “They all have an element of nature because we want to create a calm and serene environment in the aircraft – but how the artists approached that theme is very diverse,” says Lo. 

Each of the artworks has been created by an artist with a deep connection to Hong Kong, and that’s evident in their work. “As our city’s flagship carrier, we’re proud to showcase the breadth of talent in Hong Kong,” Lo says.

Next time you’re flying with us, settle back in your Aria Suite and take a moment to appreciate the art at 35,000 feet. This is Business class, artfully reimagined.