Cathay Pacific just launched its stunning Aria Suites in North America — and we got an inside look
For those who call North America home and enjoy the finer things in life (and in the air), you're in luck: Cathay Pacific just launched the first North American route for its luxurious Aria Suite product.
This month, the brand announced that it would launch three return flights per week, starting June 5, from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) in British Columbia to Hong Kong International Airport (HKG). The carrier's flights on the route feature the Aria Suites, as well as new premium economy seats and refreshed standard seating in economy.
This is Cathay Pacific's third long-haul route for the new Aria Suite product, following its introduction on the carrier's London to Hong Kong and Sydney to Hong Kong services.
The debut of the Aria Suite business-class experience in October 2024, on Cathay Pacific's then-new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, was the biggest update to the brand's business-class product in over a decade, signaling a significant step in the airline's evolution.
"We are proud to continue our commitment to offering an unparalleled level of comfort and convenience by bringing our highly anticipated Aria Suite to our North American customers," Chris van den Hooven, the airline's senior vice president of the Americas, said in a statement. "Just over 40 years ago, Vancouver was our first long-haul passenger route between North America and Hong Kong. We are thrilled to introduce the Aria Suite to the Americas via Vancouver, further demonstrating the importance of the region to Cathay Pacific."
So, what is the 13 1/2-hour trip from Vancouver to Hong Kong like in the comfort of an Aria Suite? Luckily, TPG was one of the first outlets to test out this new route for the product. Here's an inside look at the Aria Suite experience from Vancouver to Hong Kong.
At the airport
Cathay Pacific's check-in counter at YVR is in the international terminal at Departure Level 3. Travelers can check in up to four hours before their scheduled departure.
Aria Suite passengers will enjoy priority check-in, two checked bags up to 70 pounds each, lounge access (Cathay Pacific lounges and Oneworld partner lounges) and priority boarding. At YVR, Aria Suite passengers can head straight to the sleek Cathay Pacific lounge to relax before boarding.
Since my June 8 flight departed just after 1 a.m., I got to the airport around 9:30 p.m. so I could maximize my time at the airline's highly regarded lounge (located at gate D70). There, I had to get at least one bowl of the famous peanuty dan dan noodles, which come highly recommended from everyone I know who has passed through any Cathay Pacific lounge. (I can confirm that they are delectable and make for an ideal preflight snack.)
The lounge features the signature noodle bar (you can guess where I spent most of my time), as well as several spacious seating areas with various configurations of comfortable armchairs, separated from the dining area by a series of attractive paned windows. There is even a small room called "The Bureau," equipped with desktop Apple computers and printers for those interested in being especially productive. Additionally, there is a space to store luggage, and you'll find several shower suites with premium Aesop toiletries.
Onboard product
As for the "product" — or the actual seat — Cathay Pacific's Aria Suites, each of which is a 78-inch recline lie-flat seat that is 21 inches wide, are configured in a 1-2-1 layout.
Like the other Aria Suite products that TPG has reviewed (such as the London-to-Hong Kong route), the suites feature a wraparound seat design with a door that slides closed for maximum privacy. Thoughtful touches like a soft leather headrest and a wool-lined lie-flat bed make for an exceptionally comfortable experience, and high-tech features, including wireless phone charging and a sleek touchscreen seat control interface, mean that entertainment, work and sleep are all easy options during the flight.
Speaking of technology, guests can look forward to browsing a wide range of movies and TV shows on a 24-inch touchscreen TV. (Bluetooth headphone connection is an option, but each suite comes equipped with a set of wired headphones for those who need them.) I also enjoyed the ability to explore where in the world we were with the interactive map.
The touchscreen allows passengers to check which restrooms are open at any given time. Along the right side of the seat, guests will find another small touchscreen that allows you to control the seat going up and down, as well as the lights, calling for assistance and keeping an eye on how much flight time is left in the trip.
Plenty of storage space means it's easy to stow books, purses and small items within the suite, while larger luggage pieces can go in the overhead bin (each suite has its own).
I wasted no time checking out the leather toiletry bag filled with goodies from Bamford, as well as a dental kit, an eye mask that says "airplane mode" (cute) and a set of earplugs. There are also cozy slippers waiting for you in your suite.
Inflight dining
True to form, Cathay Pacific really delivered on inflight dining. After boarding, Aria Suite passengers are presented with a selection of Champagne, cranberry juice and still or sparkling water and can then peruse the food-and-drinks menu, as well as place a breakfast order. You can even indicate if you'd prefer not to be woken up for the breakfast service, which I found to be a nice touch.
For supper, which was served shortly after takeoff, I enjoyed prawns with chilli garlic lobster sauce, served with bok choy, shiitake mushroom, steamed jasmine rice and pork and green marrow soup. While the soup wasn't particularly flavorful, the prawns were delicious, and the jasmine rice was very fluffy. I opted to pair my dinner selection with Cathay Pacific's refreshing signature cocktail, Cloud Nine (made with vodka, Cointreau, Sprite and lemon juice).
Dessert involved three cheeses (edam, triple cream brie and manchego) alongside seasonal fresh fruit. I also selected a bright fruit-and-citrus-forward Mediterranean white — Chateau L'Hospitalet Grand Vin blanc — from the impressive "Discovery Wines" menu, which showcases a collection of lesser-known wines from around the world.
During the flight, business-class passengers also have the option to order from the "All Day" menu, and I'd heard great things about the egg noodle soup (with barbecued pork and choy sum). It was the ideal warming postnap, midflight snack.
Several hours before landing, the friendly cabin crew came around to serve breakfast. I enjoyed orange juice, coffee and the "wellness" breakfast option, which included seasonal fresh fruit, warm pastries (these were a bit lackluster) and strawberry yogurt with granola and a delicious berry compote.
How to book Cathay Pacific's Aria Suite from Vancouver to Hong Kong
Cash rates for an Aria Suite business-class ticket on Cathay Pacific's route from Vancouver to Hong Kong vary depending on the time of year, the length of the trip and demand, but I see return tickets from around $3,660 over the next three to four months. To maximize your purchase, consider booking your flights through a credit card travel portal or with a card that earns bonus points on airfare purchases.
Unfortunately, business-class award availability on this route is currently nonexistent, even through Cathay Pacific's Asia Miles program. But if you do happen to find availability, here's what you can expect to pay for a one-way, nonstop business-class award from Vancouver to Hong Kong when booking through several popular programs:
- Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan: Starting at 75,000 miles
- American Airlines AAdvantage: 70,000 miles
- Cathay Pacific Asia Miles: Starting at 88,000 miles
- Qantas Frequent Flyer: 104,500 points for bookings on or before Aug. 4 (125,400 points for bookings from Aug. 5)
- Qatar Airways Privilege Club: 92,750 Avios
Of course, these rates are just the points, miles or Avios you'll need to redeem, so you'll also need to pay taxes and fees on your award. Also, keep in mind that you may not find availability through every Oneworld alliance member, as Cathay may not share award availability with some or all of its partners. So, it's important to have a selection of transferable rewards you can transfer to the program that has award availability.
Cathay Pacific business-class availability between Hong Kong and North America has been extremely limited since the coronavirus pandemic. So, your best bet for flying the new Aria Suite may be to book a paid ticket or search for award availability on other routes Cathay Pacific serves with Aria Suite-equipped planes (London to Hong Kong and Sydney to Hong Kong).
Finally, to make sure you end up on a plane with the new Aria Suites, cross-check the flight you are on with Cathay Pacific's site to see which aircraft is operating it. Not all of the carrier's 777-300ERs have the suites, but the ones that do will be denoted as "77J" on the schedule on Cathay Pacific's website and have 45 business-class seats aboard.
Remember that even if you book a 777-300ER flight with the new Aria Suites, Cathay Pacific could swap your aircraft type at any point before departure. So, consider setting up an ExpertFlyer (owned by TPG's parent company, Red Ventures) aircraft change alert so you're notified of any configuration changes.
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