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

For many 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 will launch three return flights per week, beginning June 5, from Vancouver Worldwide Airport (YVR) in British Columbia to Hong Kong Worldwide Airport (HKG). The provider’s flights on the route function the Aria Suites, in addition to new premium economic system seats and refreshed normal seating in economic system.

That is Cathay Pacific’s third long-haul route for the brand new Aria Suite product, following its introduction on the provider’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 most important replace to the model’s business-class product in over a decade, signaling a major 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 clients,” Chris van den Hooven, the airline’s senior vice chairman of the Americas, stated in an announcement. “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 through 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 shops to check out this new route for the product. This 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 Stage 3. Vacationers can test in as much as 4 hours earlier than their scheduled departure.

Aria Suite passengers will get pleasure from 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 chill out 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 (positioned at gate D70). There, I needed to get at the very least one bowl of the well-known peanuty dan dan noodles, which come extremely advisable from everybody I do know who has handed by means of any Cathay Pacific lounge. (I can verify that they’re delectable and make for a really perfect 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 snug armchairs, separated from the eating space by a collection of engaging paned home windows. There’s even a small room known as “The Bureau,” outfitted with desktop Apple computer systems and printers for these focused on being particularly productive. Moreover, there’s a area 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 broad, are configured in a 1-2-1 format.

Like the opposite Aria Suite merchandise that TPG has reviewed (comparable to the London-to-Hong Kong route), the suites function a wraparound seat design with a door that slides closed for max privateness. Considerate touches like a smooth leather-based headrest and a wool-lined lie-flat mattress make for an exceptionally snug 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 simple choices throughout the flight.

Talking of expertise, company can look ahead to looking a variety of flicks and TV exhibits 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 power to discover the place on the planet we had been with the interactive map.

The touchscreen permits passengers to test which restrooms are open at any given time. Alongside the precise facet of the seat, company will discover one other small touchscreen that means that you can management the seat going up and down, in addition to the lights, calling for help and maintaining a tally of how a lot flight time is left within the journey.

Loads of space for storing means it is simple to stow books, purses and small objects inside 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 full of goodies from Bamford, in addition to a dental package, a watch 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 type, Cathay Pacific actually delivered on inflight eating. After boarding, Aria Suite passengers are introduced with a choice 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 for those who’d want 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 significantly flavorful, the prawns had 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 vivid fruit-and-citrus-forward Mediterranean white — Chateau L’Hospitalet Grand Vin blanc — from the spectacular “Discovery Wines” menu, which showcases a set of lesser-known wines from all over the world.

In the course of the flight, business-class passengers even have the choice to order from the “All Day” menu, and I would heard nice issues concerning 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 had been a bit lackluster) and strawberry yogurt with granola and a scrumptious berry compote.

The way to ebook 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 differ relying on the time of 12 months, the size of the journey and demand, however I see return tickets from round $3,660 over the following 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 presently nonexistent, even by means of Cathay Pacific’s Asia Miles program. However for those who do occur to search out availability, here is what you may anticipate to pay for a one-way, nonstop business-class award from Vancouver to Hong Kong when reserving by means of a number of standard packages:

• 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 charges in your award. Additionally, take into account that you might not discover availability by means of each Oneworld alliance member, as Cathay could not share award availability with some or all of its companions. So, it is essential to have a choice 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 because the coronavirus pandemic. So, your greatest guess for flying the brand new Aria Suite could also be to ebook 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 airplane with the brand new Aria Suites, cross-check the flight you might be on with Cathay Pacific’s web site to see which plane is working it. Not all the provider’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 for those who ebook 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 organising an ExpertFlyer (owned by TPG’s mum or dad firm, Crimson Ventures) plane change alert so that you’re notified of any configuration adjustments.

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