Cathay Pacific, the Hong Kong-based flag carrier, is enhancing its premium travel offerings by introducing three new summer routes for its Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, now featuring the highly anticipated Aria Suite in business class. This strategic expansion, set to run from March 30 to October 26, 2025, will see the retrofitted aircraft deployed on flights from Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) to Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK), London Heathrow Airport (LHR), and Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD). The move underscores Cathay Pacific’s commitment to elevating the passenger experience on key regional and long-haul routes, aligning with its broader investment strategy to modernize its fleet and cabin offerings over the coming years. The Aria Suite, unveiled in October 2024, represents a significant upgrade to the airline’s business-class product, replacing the first-class cabin on the 777-300ER with a design focused on privacy, comfort, and advanced technology.
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The deployment of these Aria-equipped aircraft builds on Cathay Pacific’s phased rollout, which began with short-haul routes like Hong Kong to Beijing. By April 2025, the summer schedule will stabilize, with the 777-300ER operating five weekly flights to Beijing-Capital, five weekly flights to Sydney, and daily service to London Heathrow. This schedule reflects a calculated approach to balancing high-demand routes and gradually integrating retrofitted aircraft into the fleet. As of early 2025, four Boeing 777-300ERs—registered as B-KPA, B-KPF, B-KPO, and B-KQH—have been fitted with the Aria Suite, with the airline aiming to refurbish one additional aircraft per month. This pace suggests that by the end of the summer season in October, more planes could join the roster, potentially expanding the Aria Suite’s availability across Cathay’s network.
The Aria Suite has been designed to redefine business class travel, featuring a reverse herringbone layout in a 1-2-1 configuration, sliding privacy doors, and a 24-inch 4K entertainment screen at each seat. These enhancements cater to modern travelers’ expectations for personal space and connectivity, with additional touches like wireless charging, Bluetooth audio, and adjustable lighting adding to the premium feel. The retrofit also boosts the aircraft’s premium capacity: the reconfigured 777-300ER now carries 45 business class seats, up from 40, and 48 premium economy seats, up from 32, while reducing economy seating from 296 to 268. This shift highlights Cathay Pacific’s focus on capturing the growing demand for upscale travel options, particularly on competitive long-haul routes like Hong Kong to London.
Beyond the business class upgrades, the retrofitted 777-300ER includes a refreshed economy cabin and an improved premium economy experience, complete with larger screens and enhanced privacy features. The rollout of these new routes coincides with Cathay Pacific’s broader HK$100 billion (approximately $12.8 billion) investment plan, which spans the next seven years and encompasses fleet upgrades, new cabin products, and lounge enhancements. Looking ahead, the airline plans to introduce a new first-class product on its forthcoming Boeing 777-9 aircraft, though delivery delays have pushed that timeline to 2026 or later. For now, the Aria Suite-equipped 777-300ERs will serve as the cornerstone of Cathay’s premium offerings, bridging the gap until the next generation of aircraft arrives The choice of Beijing, London, and Sydney for the summer schedule reflects a mix of strategic priorities: reinforcing connectivity within Asia, maintaining a strong presence in the lucrative European market, and tapping into the robust demand for travel between Hong Kong and Australia. As the retrofitting program progresses, passengers can expect to see the Aria Suite appear on additional routes, further solidifying Cathay Pacific’s reputation as a leader in premium air travel. For the summer of 2025, this expansion promises a refined journey for travelers on these three key corridors, blending cutting-edge design with the airline’s signature service.