Originally Posted by
VE105
And don't take me wrong - I definitely don't think Aria is a bad seat. My biggest problem/disappointment(?) with Aria is that with the current A350 business class seat and all its customized curated details by CX, it is the best reverse herringbone seat out there, and I can proudly say that it's my favorite business class seat in the world, even better than those media hyped seats like the Room or QSuite. When people say "oh I hate reverse herringbone, they have horrible footroom", I can reply "not for Cathay's seats!".
However, with Aria, we once again face with the major shortcoming of reverse herringbone. It is a standard 2020s era business class product. CX goes with the tide so Aria is as good as, but also no better than, its competitors.
I agree with everything you said above, especially the parts about the a350 Cirrus - CX did some super clever modifications and the sleeping space is incredible. Personally I wish they had just added new tech and a door to that. The reality is most people inside CX and Swire, and the ones I know are top notch people, but....at least some of us on their forum are far more frequent fliers than they are, especially with the details in J and F and what really matter. And some of us are far better acclimated with competitors. The bloggers have a way of skewing opinion, I often agree with their views but sometimes I think they're way off. I don't fly these products aspirationally (although I love it) they're a way to get to and from meetings and serve a practical purpose to some degree, so what I care about sometimes doesn't align with what I read (although for most part I think those bloggers are useful). But I guess what I'm saying is I know those websites and bloggers etc have a way of shaping corporate decision-making, truth be told.
Most importantly, I think just a lot of us on here are better acclimated with value since we have to pay for it as transportation for meetings. And that has a way of shaping different impressions. Sleeping comfort is super important and CX absolutely nailed it in Cirrus J A350. With all the extra padding on cabinet top, toe-rest area, etc. the most beautiful on the surface or in the blog pics, is not always most practical.
(The silly pseudo sophisticated name speaks to some lack of understanding in my view..."Aria"....cringe.)
Cynicism aside, I'm glad for change too. first I have really come to like doors (unless I'm in CX F, which I still love. Brilliant design.) I know not everyone agrees but for me, once I have a door I don't like not having one. Now it's true a lot of J doors are gimmicky compared to F class, but just saying. Also, I appreciate companies are under immense pressure to keep "innovating", if nothing else to install better tech etc. Bluetooth connectivity is really nice since we all use Bluetooth headphones these days anyway. I don't bother with IFE in J unless I can use my own for the most part. So I get it CX needs to roll something out. Maybe most important though, I also think CX middles J suck for long-haul. I have avoided them like plague and actually can't remember last time I did long-haul, but my points stands. The two twin middles are a bummer for solo travelers long-haul. This hopefully alleviates that. Most people don't like that level of seatmate intimacy given how great J class has gotten in last 5-10 years
However, I still agree with the heart of your point that they're now just a standard product in the market, despite the funny name.
I'll still be excited to fly it.
What I'm really looking forward to is the new CX F.