Cathay Pacific is set to introduce two new business class products: the Aria Suites for its flagship 777s scheduled for 2025, and a flatbed business class option for its regional A330 fleet starting in 2026.
Additionally, there are plans for a potential third business class seat for its international Airbus A350s as part of a mid-life refit currently in the early planning stages. Vivian Lo, Cathay’s General Manager of Customer Experience and Design, elaborated on the airline’s comprehensive product lifecycle strategy, which involves planning for the entire lifespan of aircraft from acquisition to future retrofitting.
The first A350s were delivered in 2016, meaning a refit is approaching, although the timeline has been complicated by delays caused by the pandemic. Lo noted that the airline is actively receiving new aircraft and is still working out the schedule for the retrofits.
As with the plans for the 777s and A330s, these refit strategies will allow Cathay to explore the best possible options, deciding whether to enhance existing products or introduce a new generation of seats aligned with future aircraft.
Currently, the A350s feature a refined version of Cathay’s angled business class seat, which has set the standard for the airline. However, the upcoming Aria Suites on the 777 are anticipated to raise the bar.
When asked if features from the Aria Suites and the new premium economy seat for the 777 could be incorporated into the A350s, Lo emphasized that during the retrofit process, the airline would keep its options flexible. She mentioned that for the next round of A350 retrofits, they are open to either building on the existing design or introducing a completely new product, with a likelihood of aligning with the new designs being rolled out on the 777-300ER and the upcoming 777-9 launching next year.
Photos by Alexi Van Damme (AX Media Thailand)
