Cathay Pacific’s Aria Suite is the business class seat worth flying

The Aria Suite is Cathay Pacific’s finest hour. Here’s why

The Cabin

Having experienced Cathay Pacific’s very comfortable Business Class cabin on a Sydney to Hong Kong flight in 2024, I boarded the airline’s Boeing 777-300ER with some anticipation earlier this year. This time, I’d be occupying one of the airline’s award-winning Aria Suite seats, which launched on Cathay’s Sydney route in March 2025 and currently features on one outbound and one inbound flight between Sydney and Hong Kong each day (my flight is CX181). The Business Class cabin holds 45 sleek pods in a 1x2x1 reverse herringbone configuration and looks and feels exactly as expected – sleek, contemporary and unmistakably new.

I can see why the cabin won the title of ‘Best New Business Class’ at TheDesignAir Awards in its debut year. At the time, the judges praised the residential approach to the cabin, noting how the suites serve as an extension of the design language offered in the airline’s exceptional lounges (more on that later). I immediately notice the same neutral palette and use of materials, including leather-look fabrics and timber, and a similar atmosphere – low-lit and relaxing.

The Seat

Every element of the Aria Suite appears carefully considered – even the handy inlay tray, which is embroidered and keeps your phone, glasses and passport within easy reach. My cosy window cocoon, with a wraparound design and lined in a premium faux leather, is exceptionally private, with a high sliding door that makes a noticeable difference to light and noise – and how easily I can fall asleep. The seat itself is lined in an ethically-sourced wool and is spacious and comfortable when in the 190.5cm-long lie-flat mode, with the aisle-side armrest able to be adjusted downward to extend the width of the bed. Genius.

A thicker mattress pad would better alleviate the hip ache that comes from sleeping on my side throughout the overnight flight, but I love the plush duvet from luxe British skincare brand Bamford, and the pillow that offers the right amount of support for side sleeping. Also soft and comfortable are the headrest and slippers – which I put on as soon as I’ve kicked off my sneakers and placed them in the handy vertical compartment near the floor.

Beverages

Because champagne is one of my weaknesses, I sip on a glass of Louis Roederer Collection 246 to start, but I notice plenty of my (healthier) neighbours order the airline’s signature welcome drink, the Cathay Delight with kiwi fruit, coconut milk and fresh mint, which smells delicious. The wine list includes a menu of ‘Discovery Wines’ sourced from the high altitude vineyards of China, along with a selection of French, American and Australian drops and a Noval 10 Year Old Tawny Port from Portugal’s Douro Valley, which has notes of dried fig and hazelnut.

Food

While I spend most of the flight horizontal with earplugs in and eyes covered due to the late 12:45am departure (which was also delayed), I stay up for supper. Cathay Pacific boasts culinary collaborations with two Michelin-starred Hong Kong restaurants – Louise, serving French cuisine, and Chinese venue Duddell’s – with one option from each offered on the menu. I opt for the Duddell’s dish: braised beef short ribs with sweet potatoes, choy sum, Shanghainese vegetable rice accompanied by pork bone, kud root and red-rice bean soup. It’s very good – but it still doesn’t stand a chance against Cathay’s signature shrimp wonton noodle soup, which is also served at its noodle bars in select lounges. This is a dish I will jump at ordering, whenever the opportunity arises.

The hotel-style breakfast order card, which you can hang on the coat hook in the suite, is a nice touch, with five selections including healthy bircher muesli, a scrambled egg and chorizo tortilla wrap, Chinese abalone and chicken congee, chive and bacon omelette and a pastry selection.

Entertainment & Technology

That printed breakfast card is the only rejection of technology visible in the Aria Suite, though. The Red Dot Design Award-winning touchscreen controls offer convenient pre-set seat modes such as Relax, Work and Sleep, with secondary buttons within reach for when you’re stretched out. I particularly like how the remaining flight duration is always visible, and you can check which lavatories are free onscreen before leaving your seat. The lamp automatically adjusts its brightness according to the cabin’s ambient lighting, and you can also customise your seat’s mood lighting from any seat position. 

The 24-inch, 4K screen is among the biggest in the skies, and offers Bluetooth audio streaming to connect your own headphones wire-free. Speaking of wire-free, each Aria Suite pod features an in-built wireless charging station, while fast-charging USB-C and USB-A ports along with and a standard power point are also available. As for Wi-Fi, it is blissfully complimentary.

Cathay Pacific boasts culinary collaborations with two Michelin-starred Hong Kong restaurants: Louise, serving French cuisine, and Chinese venue Duddell’s

Amenities

The Cathay Pacific amenities pouch on my last flight is one of the best I’ve received. The Aria Suite offering is slightly different. The zip-up leather pouch has been swapped out for a press-stud option, and the Bamford lip balm, hand cream and hydrating face mist exchanged for multi-purpose balm (for lips, cuticles and anything else that’s dry), pillow mist and a cooling gel. While I’m not quite sure what to do with the latter, I love skincare and beauty products, and happily pack the trio into my carry-on when we land.

The Lounge

Business Class passengers departing Hong Kong have access to Cathay’s excellent Business Class lounges, including The Pier, The Wing (located straight after immigration), The Deck and the recently reopened Bridge. Travellers with First Class lounge access – such as Oneworld Emerald members – can also visit The Wing, First and The Pier, First, where the experience is in the realm of the five-star hotel. The Wing is favoured for its ‘cabanas’ – private shower suites equipped with a bathtub, shower, daybed and workspace – although the decadent champagne bar makes a nicer place to work.

Those with First access often beeline for the lavish Pie at Gate 63, where you can enjoy a complimentary 15-minute shoulder, head or foot massage in a sprawling space imbued with moody lighting straight out of an underground bar. There is also a pantry-style area and à la carte dining area (also available at The Wing, First), with menus and dishes from acclaimed Hong Kong restaurants including Rosewood Hong Kong’s The Legacy House and Mott 32.

The Pier, Business, meanwhile, offers a culinary journey with separate ‘rooms’, including a food hall, bar, teahouse, relaxation room and noodle bar – where those famous wonton and dan dan noodles are made to order.

cathaypacific.com

Hotel Notes

Rates at Santani Wellness Kandy start from US$443 (about AU$715) per night for a Mountain View Chalet on a full-board basis for two adults, including breakfast, lunch and dinner. Santani’s wellness rates start at US$763 (about AU$1,235) per night for a Mountain View Chalet on a full-board basis for two adults, including an Ayurvedic doctor consultation and a daily 90-minute treatment. abercrombiekent.com.au santani.com