Cathay Pacific

Cathay Pacific is Hong Kong's flagship carrier and one of Asia's most respected airlines, though the past few years have been a rollercoaster. The airline was hit harder than most by COVID (Hong Kong's strict border policies lasted longer than almost anywhere), losing experienced crew and burning through cash. But the recovery has been genuine. Cathay is rebuilding its network, rehiring aggressively, and the new Aria Suite business class product is a statement that the airline isn't just surviving -- it's investing in the future. The Hong Kong hub at Chek Lap Kok remains one of Asia's most efficient connecting airports.

The route network spans 80+ destinations, with particular strength on routes between Asia, Australia, Europe, and North America. The 777-300ER has been the workhorse for years, and the A350-900/1000 fleet is growing. Marco Polo Club (the frequent flyer programme) merged with Asia Miles into Cathay membership in 2023, simplifying the loyalty structure. The lounges -- particularly The Pier and The Wing at Hong Kong -- are consistently rated among the world's best business class lounges, with noodle bars, cocktail bars, and shower suites.

The Aria Suite is Cathay's new business class, and it lives on retrofitted Boeing 777-300ERs. It entered service in October 2024, the programme covers 30 aircraft, and it reaches selected 777-300ERs rather than the whole type or any new delivery. The layout is 1-2-1, where every seat has direct aisle access and a closing door. The suite converts to a 79-inch flat bed and has a 24-inch 4K screen. The solo window suites ("Aria Solo") are the premium positions, extra wide with storage on both sides. The centre pairs can lower the divider for couples to create a shared space. The first class coming on the 777-9 and the flat-bed business class planned for the A330 are separate products, not Aria.

The 777-300ER fleet is being retrofitted a few aircraft at a time, which is why the same route can serve you an Aria Suite one week and the older reverse herringbone business class the next. Before the retrofit, these aircraft have the Collins Aerospace Super Diamond seat in a 1-2-1 layout -- still a solid product with direct aisle access and 82-inch bed length. The A350-900 fleet (about 30 aircraft) flies medium and long-haul routes to Europe, Australia, and North America. Regionally, the A321neo handles short-haul routes to destinations like Tokyo, Seoul, Bangkok, and Manila with 202 seats in a two-class layout. The A330-300 (about 30 aircraft) fills the gap on medium-haul routes with an older business class product.

The Aria Suite on a retrofitted 777-300ER is genuinely impressive. The closing door provides real privacy -- not a curtain or a half-wall, but a proper door that clicks shut. The 79-inch bed is wider than most competitors at 22 inches, with a Bamford mattress topper, duvet, and full-size pillow. The 24-inch screen is the largest in Cathay's fleet. Dining rotates seasonally with Hong Kong-inspired options alongside international choices -- expect roasted duck, congee, and dim sum alongside Western mains. The wine list is curated and includes Cathay's signature champagne.

The lounges are a huge part of the Cathay experience. The Pier First Class lounge has individual shower suites, a restaurant-quality dining room, and day suites for sleeping. The Wing business class lounge has the famous noodle bar (the dan dan noodles are legendary among frequent flyers). Premium Economy on the A350 gets 38 inches of pitch in a 2-4-2 layout with enhanced meals and amenity kits. Economy is 32 inches of pitch on the A350 -- slightly above average -- with complimentary meals, drinks, and seatback entertainment. Cathay crew have regained their form post-COVID; the service is professional, warm, and efficient.

Start by checking which 777-300ER you have, because only the retrofitted aircraft carry the Aria Suite and the map for your flight will tell you. Once you're on one, the window "Aria Solo" suites are the top pick: wider and more private than the centre suites, with storage on both sides. Centre pairs are the ones for couples travelling together, since the divider lowers. If the layout for your flight splits business across two cabins, the rear one is the quieter place to sleep on the overnight sectors to London or New York.

On a 777-300ER that hasn't been retrofitted, business is the older reverse herringbone: window seats face the window (more private) while centre seats face each other (can be awkward with a stranger). The first business row deplanes fastest. On the A321neo regional flights, business class is rows 1-5 in a 2-2 recliner layout -- serviceable for 3-4 hour flights but not lie-flat. In economy on any Cathay widebody, exit rows offer 34-36 inches and are worth the upgrade fee on flights over 6 hours. Avoid the last three rows of economy on the 777 -- galley noise, slow deplaning, and reduced recline on the final row.