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Let’s be real: as a travel writer living in one of the most expensive cities in the world, I don’t have the cash to splash on Business Class flights to Hong Kong. But a perk of the job is experiencing everything – from swimming with sharks to sleepovers in ridiculously luxe hotels – and on a recent trip to discover why Hong Kong is the ultimate stop-over destination (more on that another time) I was lucky enough to fly in Cathay Pacific’s new Aria Suite. Keen to upgrade? Here’s what you need to know about these hyper luxe cabins.
We’re all familiar with the pang of envy that comes from walking through Business Class en-route to your seat at the back of the plane, and lemme tell you: the guilt when you’re the object of that envy hits even harder. Glass of Taittinger in hand, I kept my eyes firmly on my book as the other passengers made their way through the cabin, but the guilt didn’t come close to outweighing the delight of the next nine hours in the sky.
Before take-off, your cabin team will take your cocktail order, which will be delivered to you with an amuse bouche once the plane is safely cruising. Dinner is a three-course affair, with options including a perfectly creamy fennel soup, a buttery chicken cassoulet and a cheese course. Before being presented with your meal, your large tray table will be set with a table cloth and silverware, and each dish will arrive perfectly hot on sparkling white crockery. It’s all luxe-as-hell and such a far cry from the trays of ready-to-go airline food we’re all used to (I’ve actually got a soft spot for airline food, something about what it represents, but still – I’d take a three course gastronomic journey any day).
I’ve flown Business Class before (soz), and there are a couple of notable features that really set the Aria Suite apart. First up: there’s a door that closes completely, giving you complete privacy to zone in on your work project or settle in for a sleep. If sleep is what you’re looking for, you’re totally set. The seats, which are lined with breathable natural wool, recline completely, with super comfy pillows and thick white blankets.
Tech-wise, you’ve got a touch-screen control pad, a built-in wireless charger on the marble-style side console along with USB-A, USB-C, and AC power outlets, plus complimentary WiFi (for Business Class passengers).
Aesthetically, the vibe is all about calm sophistication: soft-touch suede walls with natural wool fabrics and gold-accents. Your suite is framed by a flowing bar of light that radiates a soft glow onto the seat when you board, and you can customise the ambience through various lighting options at the touch of a button (or let the activity-based pre-sets tailor the space to your needs and energy levels).
And then, importantly, there’s the entertainment. Cathay is known for its on-flight entertainment, and it seriously over-delivers: with a stacked line-up of A24 new releases and critically acclaimed movies from the last few months, years and decades. While the same entertainment program is available across all cabins, the experience is seriously elevated in the Aria Suite. The 24-inch ultra-high-definition screen is the airline’s biggest ever, and you can pair your own Bluetooth headphones if you’d rather not use the headphones provided (which, incidentally, are super comfy and great quality audio).
The flight from Hong Kong to Sydney lasted for nine hours, and honestly I didn’t really want it to end. A couple of hours before we landed, I woke up from my nap and chose my second meal of the flight from the (incredibly impressive) menu. Maybe it was the altitude, but I struggle to remember a more perfectly balanced beef burger (the masterpiece served at Sydney’s Clam Bar might be as close as I’ve come). It arrived with a well-mixed Martini and triple-cooked fries, followed by a mug of fragrant jasmine tea to acclimatise me for the Hong Kong trip just at my fingertips.
If you’re thinking of upgrading for your next flight overseas – Cathay will not disappoint. Out of your budget? I hear you. While I’m on the topic, I should mention that Cathay’s Economy offering has recently been named the best in the world, so you’re in for a good time even if you’re not settling into your private suite for a world-class beef burger.
Ready for a holiday? You can book over here.
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