Cathay Pacific’s new first class is “mind-blowing”, says chairman

Skift take

Boeing 777X delays are forcing Cathay Pacific to cut first-class cabins without immediate replacement. The company’s executives share their strategy with Skift.

Gordon Smith

Last week was an important one for Cathay Pacific. The Hong Kong airline unveiled its new business class cabin, known as the “Aria Suite.” The product represents a significant advance in passenger comfort and design for some of the airline’s most lucrative customers – but the launch raised questions about the future of first class.

Cathay’s goal is to be the best premium airline in the world. The airline already competes heavily with international rivals, but there is no reason for complacency in this industry – especially at the higher end of the market.

As Aria begins rolling out to Cathay’s 30 Boeing 777-300ERs, attention (and speculation) now turns to first class. This ultra-exclusive cabin is part of the airline’s DNA. In 1983, it became the Asian airline to offer first, business and economy services on every flight.

More recently, the first class offering has been reduced to a select fleet of 777-300ERs – as pictured above. These typically operate in global centers such as London, Paris and New York. However, even these aircraft will lose their first class seats when they enter the maintenance hangar to install Aria. So what’s going on?

The first-class commitment of Cathay’s CEO

Cathay Chairman Patrick Healy spoke exclusively to Skift aboard the first Aria-equipped jet and reiterated the airline’s commitment to First Class. “If you aspire to be one of the best – or ultimately, hopefully – the best premium airline in the world, then being a world-leading first class airline is part of it. I think it’s hard to say you’re really up there without an outstanding, best-in-class product.”

Healy’s comments confirm that first class will play an important role in supporting Cathay’s premium ambitions. However, the logistical reality is more complex.

The airline is waiting for Boeing’s new 777X aircraft before introducing a new first-class cabin. Earlier this month, Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg announced another delay to an already troubled program. The first 777Xs were scheduled to arrive in 2020, but a series of setbacks have significantly hampered the rollout.

Ortberg said Oct. 11 that Boeing now expects the first delivery in 2026 due to development challenges, the ongoing strike and a pause in flight testing.

Cathay has a confirmed order for 21 777Xs – specifically the 777-9 variant. Previous plans called for the 777X launch to coincide perfectly with the 777-300ER overhauls, but that schedule now appears extremely ambitious.

“A first-class skeletal network”

At Aria’s launch event, Vivian Lo, head of customer experience and design at Cathay, explained how the carrier is overcoming delivery challenges and trying to avoid a period without first-class service.

“We are still working on the plans and thinking about implementation. We are currently retaining a number of 777-300ERs with first class seats so that they can seamlessly transition to the new first class in the future. We continue to work on this plan.”

Lo said the airline intends to maintain a “skeletal first-class network” for its most prestigious routes, and suggested those planes may remain in service in their current form until their 777X successors arrive. “It will be less [first class] “But there will still be core operations,” Lo added.

Skift later met with Ronald Lam, CEO of Cathay Pacific. When asked for his assessment of the 777X delays, Lam described the situation as “a moving target.” He said current efforts would focus on the successful rollout of the 777-300ER Aria’s overhaul, noting that the airline “will focus on this task first.”

In August, Cathay Pacific signed a major contract with Boeing’s European rival Airbus for 30 wide-body A330neo aircraft. The new jets are scheduled to be delivered between 2028 and 2031. The larger Cathay Group now has more than 100 new aircraft from Airbus and Boeing in its delivery pipeline, with options for a further 80.

Cathay promises “stunning” new First Class

Industry rumors suggest that Cathay may adopt the “Halo Suite” brand for its new first class, mirroring the naming convention that applies to the Aria. The company remains typically tight-lipped about what its new first class will look like, but Skift was able to elicit a few comments from Cathay’s top team.

Chief executive Patrick Healy said the new product was “mind-blowing”, adding it was “a really, really special product and very impressive”.

For his part, CEO Ronald Lam said the current plan is to unveil the new cabin “next year or the year after,” stressing that the company must first “firm the schedule for the 777-9.”

When asked by Skift whether there was a risk that the Aria could be superior to an aging first-class cabin before the overhaul, Vivian Lo, head of customer experience and design, replied confidently: “The first-class cabin is extremely important to us.” Aria is great, but first is best.”

Cathay isn’t alone in investing heavily in a world-class, next-generation offering. Air France, British Airways and Swiss are among the big names launching new ultra-premium products. In July, Skift spoke with Qatar Airways CEO Badr Mohammed Al-Meer to learn the airline’s latest plans for its flagship cabin.