Hong Kong Airlines’ New “Super Diamond” Business Class Is Coming to the US

Hong Kong Airlines’ highly anticipated business class cabin on the carrier’s just delivered Airbus A350 aircraft will make a debut on the Hong Kong to Los Angeles route in the coming weeks. The premium cabin, which was designed in-house using Rockwell Collins Super Diamond lie-flat, privacy seats has so far been welcomed with glowing reviews from both passengers and industry insiders.

Hong Kong Airlines appears intent on challenging the Cathay Airways reputation for luxury. If initial impressions hold, the new business class offering on Hong Kong’s latest brand-new Airbus A350 plane looks to be a big step in the right direction.

Hong Kong Airways confirmed on Tuesday that the new premium cabin experience will debut on flights between Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) in the coming weeks. The much-hyped premium cabin experience has already been given a few trial runs during a few brief cameo appearances on regional routes including the HKG to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK).

Hong Kong Airlines’ latest premium travel entry features Rockwell Collins Super Diamond cabin seats which are configured so that every seat is an aisle seat. According to the engineers behind the business class, lie-flat seats, the one-of-a-kind feat of ergonomics, design and space-efficiency provides “an extra level of privacy and saves premium travelers the inconvenience of stepping over fellow passengers with Super Diamond’s all-aisle access.”

According to The Design Air (which received an exclusive sneak peak at the new product), despite having a similar configuration to Cathay business class cabins with Super Diamond seats, Hong Kong Airlines’ offering has some clear advantages. The in-house designs offer creative storage options for passengers’ personal items and additional touches for flyers including hand-crafted designer bedding. All 33 business class seats also boast an AVANT inflight entertainment system complete with a 17-inch adjustable monitor and surround sound.

“Our latest Business Class offering and state-of-the-art inflight entertainment system is the result of an ambitious effort to revamp our premium services for our customers,” Hong Kong Airlines President Wang Liya told reporters at an unveiling of the new premium cabin this week. “These are significant investments for the Company, and will help lead Hong Kong Airlines into a new decade of success.”

Hong Kong Airlines officials told the magazine that there are currently no plans to retrofit the four A350 aircraft already in service with the new business class configuration. The carrier says, however, that in addition to the newest A350 in the fleet, future Airbus planes will be delivered already equipped with the Super Diamond business class seats.

[Photo: Hong Kong Airlines]