Cathay Pacific launches Aria Suite in North America with new Vancouver-to-Hong Kong route

For individuals who name North America house and benefit from the finer issues in life (and within the air), you are in luck: Cathay Pacific simply launched the primary North American route for its luxurious Aria Suite product.

This month, the model introduced that it could launch three return flights per week, beginning June 5, from Vancouver Worldwide Airport (YVR) in British Columbia to Hong Kong Worldwide Airport (HKG). The service’s flights on the route function the Aria Suites, in addition to new premium financial system seats and refreshed commonplace seating in financial system.

That is Cathay Pacific’s third long-haul route for the brand new Aria Suite product, following its introduction on the service’s London to Hong Kong and Sydney to Hong Kong companies.

The debut of the Aria Suite business-class expertise in October 2024, on Cathay Pacific’s then-new Boeing 777-300ER plane, was the largest replace to the model’s business-class product in over a decade, signaling a big step within the airline’s evolution.

“We’re proud to proceed our dedication to providing an unparalleled degree of consolation and comfort by bringing our extremely anticipated Aria Suite to our North American prospects,” Chris van den Hooven, the airline’s senior vice chairman of the Americas, mentioned in a press release. “Simply over 40 years in the past, Vancouver was our first long-haul passenger route between North America and Hong Kong. We’re thrilled to introduce the Aria Suite to the Americas by way of Vancouver, additional demonstrating the significance of the area to Cathay Pacific.”

So, what’s the 13 1/2-hour journey from Vancouver to Hong Kong like within the consolation of an Aria Suite? Fortunately, TPG was one of many first retailers to check out this new route for the product. Here is an inside have a look at the Aria Suite expertise from Vancouver to Hong Kong.

On the airport

Cathay Pacific’s check-in counter at YVR is within the worldwide terminal at Departure Degree 3. Vacationers can examine in as much as 4 hours earlier than their scheduled departure.

Aria Suite passengers will take pleasure in precedence check-in, two checked luggage as much as 70 kilos every, lounge entry (Cathay Pacific lounges and Oneworld associate lounges) and precedence boarding. At YVR, Aria Suite passengers can head straight to the smooth Cathay Pacific lounge to loosen up earlier than boarding.

Since my June 8 flight departed simply after 1 a.m., I bought to the airport round 9:30 p.m. so I might maximize my time on the airline’s extremely regarded lounge (situated at gate D70). There, I needed to get a minimum of one bowl of the well-known peanuty dan dan noodles, which come extremely beneficial from everybody I do know who has handed by means of any Cathay Pacific lounge. (I can affirm that they’re delectable and make for an excellent preflight snack.)

The lounge options the signature noodle bar (you may guess the place I spent most of my time), in addition to a number of spacious seating areas with numerous configurations of comfy armchairs, separated from the eating space by a sequence of enticing paned home windows. There may be even a small room known as “The Bureau,” outfitted with desktop Apple computer systems and printers for these keen on being particularly productive. Moreover, there’s a house to retailer baggage, and you will find a number of bathe suites with premium Aesop toiletries.

Onboard product

As for the “product” — or the precise seat — Cathay Pacific’s Aria Suites, every of which is a 78-inch recline lie-flat seat that’s 21 inches vast, are configured in a 1-2-1 format.

Like the opposite Aria Suite merchandise that TPG has reviewed (corresponding to the London-to-Hong Kong route), the suites function a wraparound seat design with a door that slides closed for optimum privateness. Considerate touches like a comfortable leather-based headrest and a wool-lined lie-flat mattress make for an exceptionally comfy expertise, and high-tech options, together with wi-fi cellphone charging and a smooth touchscreen seat management interface, imply that leisure, work and sleep are all straightforward choices through the flight.

Talking of know-how, visitors can look ahead to shopping a variety of flicks and TV reveals on a 24-inch touchscreen TV. (Bluetooth headphone connection is an possibility, however every suite comes outfitted with a set of wired headphones for individuals who want them.) I additionally loved the flexibility to discover the place on the earth we have been with the interactive map.

The touchscreen permits passengers to examine which restrooms are open at any given time. Alongside the best facet of the seat, visitors will discover one other small touchscreen that permits you to management the seat going up and down, in addition to the lights, calling for help and keeping track of how a lot flight time is left within the journey.

Loads of space for storing means it is easy to stow books, purses and small objects throughout the suite, whereas bigger baggage items can go within the overhead bin (every suite has its personal).

I wasted no time testing the leather-based toiletry bag crammed with goodies from Bamford, in addition to a dental equipment, an eye fixed masks that claims “airplane mode” (cute) and a set of earplugs. There are additionally cozy slippers ready for you in your suite.

Inflight eating

True to kind, Cathay Pacific actually delivered on inflight eating. After boarding, Aria Suite passengers are offered with a number of Champagne, cranberry juice and nonetheless or glowing water and might then peruse the food-and-drinks menu, in addition to place a breakfast order. You may even point out if you happen to’d favor to not be woken up for the breakfast service, which I discovered to be a pleasant contact.

For supper, which was served shortly after takeoff, I loved prawns with chilli garlic lobster sauce, served with bok choy, shiitake mushroom, steamed jasmine rice and pork and inexperienced marrow soup. Whereas the soup wasn’t notably flavorful, the prawns have been scrumptious, and the jasmine rice was very fluffy. I opted to pair my dinner choice with Cathay Pacific’s refreshing signature cocktail, Cloud 9 (made with vodka, Cointreau, Sprite and lemon juice).

Dessert concerned three cheeses (edam, triple cream brie and manchego) alongside seasonal recent fruit. I additionally chosen a shiny fruit-and-citrus-forward Mediterranean white — Chateau L’Hospitalet Grand Vin blanc — from the spectacular “Discovery Wines” menu, which showcases a group of lesser-known wines from all over the world.

Through the flight, business-class passengers even have the choice to order from the “All Day” menu, and I would heard nice issues in regards to the egg noodle soup (with barbecued pork and choy sum). It was the best warming postnap, midflight snack.

A number of hours earlier than touchdown, the pleasant cabin crew got here round to serve breakfast. I loved orange juice, espresso and the “wellness” breakfast possibility, which included seasonal recent fruit, heat pastries (these have been a bit lackluster) and strawberry yogurt with granola and a scrumptious berry compote.

Find out how to e book Cathay Pacific’s Aria Suite from Vancouver to Hong Kong

Money charges for an Aria Suite business-class ticket on Cathay Pacific’s route from Vancouver to Hong Kong fluctuate relying on the time of yr, the size of the journey and demand, however I see return tickets from round $3,660 over the subsequent three to 4 months. To maximise your buy, think about reserving your flights by means of a bank card journey portal or with a card that earns bonus factors on airfare purchases.

Sadly, business-class award availability on this route is at the moment nonexistent, even by means of Cathay Pacific’s Asia Miles program. However if you happen to do occur to search out availability, here is what you may count on to pay for a one-way, nonstop business-class award from Vancouver to Hong Kong when reserving by means of a number of common applications:

• Alaska Airways Mileage Plan: Beginning at 75,000 miles
• American Airways AAdvantage: 70,000 miles
• Cathay Pacific Asia Miles: Beginning at 88,000 miles
• Qantas Frequent Flyer: 104,500 factors for bookings on or earlier than Aug. 4 (125,400 factors for bookings from Aug. 5)
• Qatar Airways Privilege Membership: 92,750 Avios

After all, these charges are simply the factors, miles or Avios you may have to redeem, so you may additionally have to pay taxes and costs in your award. Additionally, remember that chances are you’ll not discover availability by means of each Oneworld alliance member, as Cathay might not share award availability with some or all of its companions. So, it is vital to have a number of transferable rewards you may switch to this system that has award availability.

Cathay Pacific business-class availability between Hong Kong and North America has been extraordinarily restricted for the reason that coronavirus pandemic. So, your finest wager for flying the brand new Aria Suite could also be to e book a paid ticket or seek for award availability on different routes Cathay Pacific serves with Aria Suite-equipped planes (London to Hong Kong and Sydney to Hong Kong).

Lastly, to be sure to find yourself on a aircraft with the brand new Aria Suites, cross-check the flight you’re on with Cathay Pacific’s web site to see which plane is working it. Not all the service’s 777-300ERs have the suites, however the ones that do might be denoted as “77J” on the schedule on Cathay Pacific’s web site and have 45 business-class seats aboard.

Keep in mind that even if you happen to e book a 777-300ER flight with the brand new Aria Suites, Cathay Pacific might swap your plane kind at any level earlier than departure. So, think about establishing an ExpertFlyer (owned by TPG’s mother or father firm, Purple Ventures) plane change alert so that you’re notified of any configuration adjustments.

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