Cathay Pacific has long been recognized for their excellence in the skies. With the launch of its all-new Aria Suite in Business Class, the airline is redefining the premium travel experience. Now available daily flights between London and Hong Kong, this next-generation business-class cabin delivers unparalleled comfort, cutting-edge design, and an immersive journey. This is first-class flying at a business-class cost.
Checking In and the Cathay Pacific Lounge Experience
From the moment you arrive at the airport, the Cathay Pacific experience exudes luxury. Priority check-in counters ensure a seamless and swift process, setting the tone for an effortless journey. Whether you are enjoying the Aria Suite London to Hong Kong or returning, the lounges offer a great start to the journey. The London Heathrow lounge features a refined selection of gourmet cuisine, quiet workspaces, and relaxation zones, while The Pier in Hong Kong offers a tranquil tea house, private day suites, and curated dining experiences.
The New Aria Suite: A Haven in the Sky
The Aria Suite Business Class represents a leap forward in premium air travel. Designed with artistry and craftsmanship, the suite’s spacious layout allows for greater privacy and personal space.
- Ergonomic, Intuitive Seating – The Aria Suite is equipped with a fully flat bed, enhanced padding, and customisable seating positions for optimum relaxation.
- Privacy and Comfort – Featuring a sliding door, so you can enjoy a greater sense of seclusion, creating a peaceful in-flight environment.
- Refined Finishes – High-quality materials, soft lighting, and elegant colour tones contribute to a serene and stylish cabin.
- Expansive Storage & Connectivity—The suite, designed for modern travellers, includes ample storage, wireless charging, multiple USB-C ports, and Bluetooth audio connectivity for a seamless experience.
- Customisable Lighting – You can adjust the suite’s lighting to create an ambiance for work, relaxation, or sleep.
A Culinary Journey at 35,000 Feet
Cathay Pacific’s commitment to exceptional dining is evident in the Aria Suite menu, featuring a mix of British and Chinese cuisines crafted by Michelin-starred chefs. The airline’s focus on authentic Hong Kong flavours ensures a gourmet journey that celebrates its home city’s rich culinary heritage.
You can savour an array of traditional Cantonese delicacies, such as crafted dim sum selections that provide a taste of Hong Kong’s famous tea house culture. For those who prefer international cuisine, a selection of refined Western dishes, including Beef Wellington, Pan-seared Dover Sole, and an English Breakfast, offer a familiar yet elevated dining experience.
Cathay Pacific has also partnered with renowned Michelin-starred restaurants, including Louise, offering refined French cuisine with a modern flair, and Duddell’s, which serves time-honoured Cantonese dishes with premium ingredients. These collaborations bring restaurant-quality dining to the skies.
The onboard menu we experienced had a selection of premium dishes, such as clay pot rice with abalone, Chinese sausage, and pork patty, braised chicken and bean curd stick in soy bean sauce, and pan-seared beef tenderloin with Madeira jus. For lighter options, there was also a wonton noodle soup or chilled abalone with cucumber and black vinegar dressing.
Fine Wines & Exclusive Chinese Selections
Cathay Pacific’s onboard wine selection is a carefully curated experience that brings together premium Old and New World wines alongside exclusive Chinese vintages that showcase the country’s emerging reputation in viticulture.
You can begin their journey with Laurent Perrier Brut N.V. Champagne, featuring lively bubbles, notes of hawthorn, white peach, and grapefruit zest, leading to an elegant and refreshing finish.
Cathay Pacific also offers a rotating selection of premium Chinese wines through its Discovery Wines program, providing an exclusive taste of China’s growing wine industry. These Chinese wines were arguably better than the others and in a blind taste test would come out as the preferred choice of wine. They also suited the altitude with their strong, bold flavours and lengthy finish. Selections include Grace Vineyard Deep Blue, Shanxi/Ningxia, China (2020), a complex red with dark plum and cassis notes, Kanaan Winery Lao Wang Syrah, Ningxia, China (2022), which boasts rich blackcurrant flavours with a velvety finish, and The Starting Point Cabernet Franc, Ningxia, China (2021), an artisanal wine with elegant layers of vanilla, cinnamon, and black fruit.
For those who enjoy white wines, Domaine De La Bressande Rully, Burgundy, France (2020) offers a refined floral expression with honeysuckle, vanilla, and a well-balanced persistent finish. The red wine selection includes Château Bellefont-Belcier, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé, France (2021), a full-bodied wine with dark cherry, redcurrant, and violet aromas, finishing with silky tannins. To round out the dining experience, Dow’s Late Bottled Vintage Port, Portugal (2018) presents a luscious combination of blackcurrant, liquorice, and macerated cherries, balanced by a hint of mint for a smooth and decadent finish.
These carefully selected wines are designed to perfectly complement Cathay Pacific’s gourmet inflight dining, offering an elevated and sophisticated tasting experience.
Cutting-Edge Entertainment Options
You can enjoy a state-of-the-art in-flight entertainment system, featuring a 24-inch 4K ultra-high-definition screen with Bluetooth audio connectivity. The system offers:
Over 500 Movies & TV Shows – A diverse selection of Hollywood, Chinese, and international films.
Curated Playlists & Podcasts – Catering to all tastes, from classical music to the latest pop hits.
Live TV & Exclusive Content – Stay connected with real-time news, sports events, and curated in-flight experiences.
There are also 30 pieces of curated artwork displayed in the Boeing 777-300ER Business cabins. Created by artists who share a deep connection with Hong Kong, each piece offers a different perspective on nature, ranging from urban landscapes to vividly imagined dreamscapes.
Service Excellence
With a passenger-first approach, the service is warm, intuitive, and personalised. From tailored meal service preferences to an effortless turn-down service, every detail is handled with precision and care.
Luxurious Amenities for Maximum Comfort
In-flight comfort is maximised with premium amenities by Bamford, a British luxury brand known for its high-end skincare and wellness products. You can expect:
- Bamford Amenity Kits – Featuring hydrating skincare essentials to keep you refreshed.
- Plush Slippers & Sleepwear – Ensuring maximum relaxation on long-haul flights.
- Luxury Bedding by Bamford – Including a soft duvet, premium pillows, and a memory foam mattress topper for a rejuvenating rest.
A Reimagined Business Class Experience
With the introduction of the Aria Suite Business Class, Cathay Pacific is setting a new global benchmark. Combining sophisticated design, world-class service, and unparalleled comfort, the Aria Suite ensures that we experience a journey that is as enjoyable as the destination itself.
For those travelling between London and Hong Kong, this premium experience makes every mile feel personalised, and effortless. Whether you’re flying for business or leisure, the Aria Suite aboard Cathay Pacific is changing the way we think about long-haul travel.
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All imagery courtesy of Cathay Pacific.