A few factual points for those asking questions:
- Yes, it's Elements.
- The special amenity kit is for Aria flights only
- Cathay are working on a tweaked livery with slightly new titling on the fuselage (I believe this is a tiny, tiny change and not a new font etc)

In terms of my view...I think it retains a lot / all of what people like about the Cirrus seat but obviously make it much more technologically advanced. There are a lot of changes here that you won't necessarily understand until you see it in person. The infinitely adjustable tray table and aisle-side armrest are some of them. The lavatory availability indicator. The seat and lighting presets/customisability. The sliding (rather than vertically opening) console storage.

Taken all together I think it's a good upgrade to what they currently fly, but hard to communicate these small details effectively unless you are particularly knowledgable and experienced about airplane seats. I think even other journalists didn't quite understand what was so good about it.

One thing not mentioned by many people are the classy travertine-effect business class lavs. They look very good (photo below). The front galley is also very stylish - not so much the 'Gallery in the Sky' but various separators/finishes that make it feel much more like a hotel / lounge.

As a side note, the seat also felt very solid/well built, which also helps. Some J seats feel like they're about to fall apart. Although some of the upholstery fastening didn't seem as flush as it should have been (but not sure if this is just because the seat covers are quite stiff from not being sat on yet).

London is almost certainly going to be the first long haul destination based on what Vivian and Ronald told me, and from what some birdies tell me. Expect it in January.

If you want to read my full piece with photos and quotes you can do so here: https://www.headforpoints.com/2024/1...usiness-class/

Happy to try and answer any follow up questions...