Cathay Pacific is set to reintroduce a selection of Airbus A330 jets, featuring two distinct types of business class seating.
The majority of the business class cabin will include regional recliner seats familiar to travelers on short flights across Asia. However, at the front of the cabin, there will be eight upgraded seats that offer greater privacy, personal space, larger video screens, and the ability to convert into fully lie-flat beds. These seats were previously marketed as first class on Cathay’s regional subsidiary, Cathay Dragon, which merged with Cathay Pacific in late 2020 and was previously known as Dragonair.
The seats that were once first class on Cathay Dragon are similar to Cathay Pacific’s international business class seats, with only minor variations in trim and finish. Cathay Pacific has confirmed that four A330-300 aircraft, which were stored in Alice Springs during the pandemic, will gradually return to service starting in the second quarter of 2025. These aircraft will operate on regional routes.
Passengers flying business class on these aircraft may have the opportunity to upgrade from the 2-2-2 recliner seats to one of the more spacious 1-2-1 flatbed seats. While the business class cabin for Cathay Dragon A330s began at row 10, those with first class included eight flatbed seats in rows 1 and 2.
Cathay Pacific has announced that these former first class seats will now be offered as business class at the same price as the recliners. Seat selection will depend on fare type and the passenger’s Cathay membership tier prior to departure. The top Diamond level members typically benefit from this perk, although it remains uncertain if Oneworld Emerald members (like Qantas Platinum and Platinum One frequent flyers) will have the same privileges.
If you’re scheduled to fly business class on a regional Cathay Pacific A330 and notice rows 1 and 2 available on the seat map, be sure to select a seat in those rows for an enhanced travel experience.
Additionally, Cathay Pacific is planning to introduce a new lie-flat regional business class seat in 2026 to replace the current recliners. The airline is also exploring business class options for its upcoming Airbus A330neo fleet, with 30 aircraft expected to arrive in Hong Kong from 2028 to 2031.
