Cathay Pacific Airways, Hong Kong’s flagship carrier, has introduced its new Aria Suites business class, enhancing the premium travel experience. Initially launched on short-haul routes, the airline has now extended this luxury offering to long-haul flights, including the highly competitive Hong Kong to London Heathrow route.
Aria Suites on the Hong Kong to London Route
The first Boeing 777-300ER aircraft featuring the Aria Suites, registered as B-KPO, initially operated on regional routes such as Beijing, Taipei, and Tokyo-Narita. Recently, the product was deployed on the busy Hong Kong to Singapore (SIN) route. Following this success, Cathay Pacific has now introduced the Aria Suites on its London Heathrow (LHR) route, a key market for the airline.
As of February 1, 2024, Cathay Pacific operates daily flights to London Heathrow (LHR) featuring the Aria Suites on select services. The flight schedule is as follows:
- CX 251 – HKG to LHR – 22:55 – 05:30 (+1) (Local time)
- CX 250 – LHR to HKG – 17:50 – 14:35 (+1) (Local time)
Currently, Cathay Pacific operates six daily flights between Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) and London Heathrow (LHR), while British Airways operates one additional daily service. Apart from the Boeing 777-300ER, Cathay Pacific also uses its Airbus A350-900 and Airbus A350-1000 on this route.
Given the strong demand for premium travel between Hong Kong and London, it was expected that London would be one of the first long-haul destinations to feature the Aria Suites on a daily basis.
Cathay Pacific’s Fleet Retrofit Plan
To enhance passenger comfort, Cathay Pacific is retrofitting its Boeing 777-300ER aircraft with Aria Suites, with the process expected to continue until the end of 2027. The airline aims to complete the upgrade of one aircraft per month.
The first aircraft to receive the retrofit was B-KPO in October 2023. Recently, a second aircraft, B-KPF, was also upgraded and has been deployed on both London and Singapore routes. A third aircraft, B-KQH, has completed its retrofit in Xiamen, China, and is expected to enter service soon.
What’s Next? Future Routes for Aria Suites
Cathay Pacific operates some of the busiest Boeing 777-300ER routes worldwide, including:
- Brisbane
- Dubai
- Los Angeles
- Melbourne
- Milan-Malpensa
- Mumbai
- New Delhi
- New York (JFK)
- Sydney
- Tokyo (Haneda and Narita)
- Vancouver
Given the importance of these routes, it is highly likely that one of these cities will be the next to receive the Aria Suites experience.
There is strong speculation that Sydney (SYD) may be the next long-haul route to feature the Aria Suites. However, Los Angeles (LAX) is also a strong contender, as Cathay Pacific operates up to three daily flights on this route.
Cathay Pacific is making significant strides in enhancing its premium travel experience with the introduction of Aria Suites. Starting with short-haul routes, the airline has now brought its upgraded business class to long-haul destinations like London Heathrow, with Sydney and Los Angeles potentially next in line. With plans to retrofit one Boeing 777-300ER per month, the Aria Suites will soon be available on more flights, solidifying Cathay Pacific’s position as a leading luxury airline in the Asia-Pacific region.
