Could this be the new world's best business class? A resounding yes
Standing ovation, gold medal, this cloud-like flat bed with quilted topper and fluffy 400-thread-count duvet is a sky cocoon. There are 45 Aria Suites in a 1-2-1, herringbone pattern divided between a forward and rear cabin and three dedicated bathrooms.
The seats themselves are 21 inches (53.3 centimetres) wide, with a pitch of 43 inches (109.2 centimetres), and 75 inches (190.5 centimetres) long when flat. Every whisker of space is working hard; an armrest flattens, widening the bed at the shoulder, the foot well accommodates knees-bent side sleepers, and a shoulder-high sliding door provides privacy. Leather-clad headrests and oyster hues add to the premium hotel feel.
Entertainment + tech
Woah, now that's a screen, 24 inches (60.96 centimetres) of 4K ultra-high-definition awesomeness. There's even a dedicated 4K movie category and I go into a short-list frenzy, covering all bases with the realistic bloodbath of Gladiator II and more sedate Wilding with phenomenal macro nature images.
There's Bluetooth for personal earphones, an in-table phone charger (the USB-A and USB-C charging ports are faster) and I develop a design crush on the innovative inbuilt control panel and screen app for checking lavatory status. Micro details like the light diffuser (but why no spot lamp for reading?) and the cubby's non-slip pad for potentially sliding items whisper quiet luxury.
Service
A passing staff member responds to a seat belt adjustment request with 'I'll be right back!' and disappears into the void. I press the call button to un-Japanese the TV language and end up waving at a crew member like I'm hailing a taxi. In the witching hours, I do a second call button test (for a hot chocolate) and a crew member appears within milliseconds – a more accurate depiction of the engaging and professional crew's famous standards.
The full cabin of first-time Aria guests unfamiliar with the suites (it's also most of the crew's first Aria flight, one confides, making me immediately empathetic), means initially the five crew are simply run off their feet with questions. Cathay Pacific, do your exceptional staff a favour and add a sixth member until Aria-frenzy settles.
Food
Food is a highlight – a prawn amuse bouche is followed by a silky zucchini soup with deliciously crunchy croutons and tender braised chicken with mushrooms and bamboo shoots in oyster sauce.
Sustainability
Cathay Pacific aims for zero carbon emissions by 2050 and has been a pioneer of sustainable aviation fuel, co-initiating the Hong Kong Sustainable Aviation Fuel Coalition.
One more thing
The business class galley features artwork, a mindscape by Hong Kong artist Victor Wong (of the Gallery in the Skies program), an unexpected cultural nod.
The price
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Return business class tickets (all business cabins are priced the same, including those with Aria Suites) from London to Sydney via Hong Kong are from $9700
The verdict
Could this be the best business class in the skies? A resounding yes. Famed for its design savvy legacy, Cathay has knocked the ball out of the stratosphere with thoughtful technology and style, deservedly the winner of best new business class at TheDesignAir Awards. The last airline to sport such innovation was the Finnair business seat, but the bonuses of privacy doors and exemplary staff in the air and in the stellar lounges make Cathay Pacific the one to beat.
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