New Aria Suite
#16
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,018
That is exactly what I liked about the CX seat as well!
#17
Join Date: Jul 2023
Posts: 154
It did mention 777-300ER in their website. https://www.cathaypacific.com/cx/en_...edesigned.html
Well I wonder is that the reason most 777-300ER both from SIN and CGK to HKG are not available? Because they prepare to retrofit the new cabin?
Well I wonder is that the reason most 777-300ER both from SIN and CGK to HKG are not available? Because they prepare to retrofit the new cabin?
#18
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 116
Another note: It's not obvious in the clip, but there appears to be a full divider separating the middle seats. The option for a divider is shown more clearly in the website below, and there is a gap between the tables of the middle seats in CX's clip. I see this as an improvement (having the option to raise the divider), and it seems more elegantly done than the Super Diamond seats like the BA Club Suite.
https://thedesignair.net/2019/04/27/...fferent-breed/
Compared to other airlines with a reverse herringbone platform, it's hard to identify potential areas of differentiation. Apart from the probably 4K TV screen and entertainment options, the difference in the PaxEx will have to come from the bedding, food, and service.
Last edited by cx4ever; Aug 7, 2023 at 8:37 am
#19
Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member
Posts: 20,301
Good catch, this is definitely the Safran Versa. Makes sense considering it's actually the successor to the Cirrus. It's not obvious in the clip, but there appears to be a full divider separating the middle seats. The option for a divider is shown more clearly in the website below, and there is a gap between the tables of the middle seats in CX's clip.
https://thedesignair.net/2019/04/27/...fferent-breed/
Compared to other airlines with a reverse herringbone platform, it's hard to identify potential areas of differentiation. Apart from the probably 4K TV screen and entertainment options, the difference in the PaxEx will have to come from the bedding, food, and service.
https://thedesignair.net/2019/04/27/...fferent-breed/
Compared to other airlines with a reverse herringbone platform, it's hard to identify potential areas of differentiation. Apart from the probably 4K TV screen and entertainment options, the difference in the PaxEx will have to come from the bedding, food, and service.
Did Safran inherit all the Zodiac seat manufacturing problems?
#22
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 972
Looking forward to trying this on a day flight. So far, not at all looking forward to trying this on an overnight Fixed TVs and/or tables that get stored under TVs are a major negative. Some have managed to get this right (e.g. EY) but many have not (e.g. QR).
#23
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Toronto
Programs: HGP Globalist, SPG P100, Hilton Dia
Posts: 432
Absolute nightmare for side sleeper
Confusingly it looks a little bit more like a Super Diamond shell than a Zodiac Cirrus. My favourite thing about the CX seat compared to any other J seat is that while sleeping, I can roll over to a different side without banging my knees on a tray table or TV (and there's just way more room for my legs in general). Hopefully they haven't gone for the fixed TV option but it definitely looks like it.
I do wonder why these seats are so popular besides the enhancement of the door... Perhaps there is financial incentive....
I do wish CX can just modify the current seats with a door then it will be perfect. Why fix something that is NOT broken. #wishfulthinking
#25
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: New York, NY - USA
Programs: CX Diamond (DM)
Posts: 346
Interesting... a completely new hard product platform for business class. Let's hope it doesn't fall apart quickly like the seats in the early A350-900's. Oh boy.
What other airlines are using these seats? QR? LH? AA?
That's going to be a lot of new training for in-flight and ground crew (e.g., to repair). Plus, a retrofit? That's going to take a huge chunk of cash. Goodness.
-Chris
What other airlines are using these seats? QR? LH? AA?
That's going to be a lot of new training for in-flight and ground crew (e.g., to repair). Plus, a retrofit? That's going to take a huge chunk of cash. Goodness.
-Chris
#26
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: JFK 🇺🇸 (mostly); YVR 🇨🇦 (a bit less); HKG 🇭🇰 (even less)
Programs: Marco Polo GR 😂😂; HHonors Gold; Ritz Carlton Gold
Posts: 494
#27
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: So Cal
Programs: AA Platinum, DL Silver
Posts: 3,102
Confusingly it looks a little bit more like a Super Diamond shell than a Zodiac Cirrus. My favourite thing about the CX seat compared to any other J seat is that while sleeping, I can roll over to a different side without banging my knees on a tray table or TV (and there's just way more room for my legs in general). Hopefully they haven't gone for the fixed TV option but it definitely looks like it.
#28
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 2,029
Just a few random thoughts from overnight.
* Still not convinced on which seat is the platform for Aria. I can see arguments for several models, even JPA's own Airtek, but at this stage of the game the seat would pretty much already need to be certified for a Q2 debut.
* I'm suspecting this is either the same seat intended for the CX 777-9 or a variant of such. I know the delays to the 777X gave Cathay an opportunity to revisit and refine its 777X product line, and I know that Cathay took advantage of that opportunity.
* this would no doubt be what JPA's been working on, see https://jpadesign.com/product/cathay-pacific/ and "We have partnered with Cathay Pacific to design and develop their next generation of aircraft cabin interiors."
* either way, at some stage JPA and the seat manufacturer are likely to issue their own media releases citing their involvement in this, but that's usually in concert with (and sometimes lagging by a day!) the official launch or announcement by the airline, and we're not at announcement stage now, this is just a tease what could end up as the dance of the seven veils.
* the decision to name the seat as 'Aria' is an interesting one, and follows from a few other airlines, most recently Lufthansa's Allegris family (with that made-up moniker covering a whole generation of products from first to economy) and of course Qatar Airways' Qsuite, although that name belongs to a specific product within the business class family. BA's Club Suite is similar, it's a specific hard product which evolved its name from the Club World category, Yes, United has Polaris but officially 'Polaris' is the name for United's actual 'business class' – the seats, cabin, lounges, the whole business class 'experience' - rather than just the newest business class seat.
* I'm putting money on Aria being Cathay's new branded hard product line, at least in the premium cabin, so I'd be surprised if we did not see an Aria first class suite to follow.
* Still not convinced on which seat is the platform for Aria. I can see arguments for several models, even JPA's own Airtek, but at this stage of the game the seat would pretty much already need to be certified for a Q2 debut.
* I'm suspecting this is either the same seat intended for the CX 777-9 or a variant of such. I know the delays to the 777X gave Cathay an opportunity to revisit and refine its 777X product line, and I know that Cathay took advantage of that opportunity.
* this would no doubt be what JPA's been working on, see https://jpadesign.com/product/cathay-pacific/ and "We have partnered with Cathay Pacific to design and develop their next generation of aircraft cabin interiors."
* either way, at some stage JPA and the seat manufacturer are likely to issue their own media releases citing their involvement in this, but that's usually in concert with (and sometimes lagging by a day!) the official launch or announcement by the airline, and we're not at announcement stage now, this is just a tease what could end up as the dance of the seven veils.
* the decision to name the seat as 'Aria' is an interesting one, and follows from a few other airlines, most recently Lufthansa's Allegris family (with that made-up moniker covering a whole generation of products from first to economy) and of course Qatar Airways' Qsuite, although that name belongs to a specific product within the business class family. BA's Club Suite is similar, it's a specific hard product which evolved its name from the Club World category, Yes, United has Polaris but officially 'Polaris' is the name for United's actual 'business class' – the seats, cabin, lounges, the whole business class 'experience' - rather than just the newest business class seat.
* I'm putting money on Aria being Cathay's new branded hard product line, at least in the premium cabin, so I'd be surprised if we did not see an Aria first class suite to follow.
Last edited by djsflynn; Aug 7, 2023 at 5:51 pm
#29
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 2,029
PS and FWIW - Cathay's FY23 interim results land tomorrow, with a media briefing following at 1pm HK. Speculate what you will about the fortuitous timing of this tease so close to financials, but there'll obviously be some media questions lodged on Aria and related aspects such as "what about first class?". Whether CX takes those questions and how much info it shares on this product front remains to be seen. (I'll be away on hols, otherwise would definitely be dialling in and asking on Aria).