Originally Posted by CX860 (Post 36876317)

What on earth is Director Customer Lifestyle....

Originally Posted by CX860 (Post 36876317)

What on earth is Director Customer Lifestyle....

Originally Posted by VE105 (Post 36876324)

Seems to be in charge of loyalty, Asia miles and other ancillary business (e.g. Cathay Shop)

Originally Posted by NZflyer777 (Post 36876416)

sounds like a demotion lol

Originally Posted by VE105 (Post 36876443)

Not necessarily. All executives in Cathay group coming up from Swire MT aren't limited by only one field or speciality. It's common that they switch department everytime being promoted.

Originally Posted by djsflynn (Post 36876440)

Director, Customer Lifestyle "is responsible for all non-air business lines, including credit cards, insurance, retail and hotels. Also responsible for Customer Loyalty, Brand, Insights, Marketing and Digital Experience across Cathay Pacific."

The role is currently held by Paul Smitton, who is also CEO and Managing Director of Asia Miles Ltd. Unsure if this means Paul Smitton would retain the Asia Miles CEO/MD role, however loyalty is one of his 'specialities'.

Originally Posted by CX860 (Post 36876531)

Thanks.

They should just call it "Director Non-Airline" or something else that makes what the job actually is obvious...

This whole attempt at trying to sound fresh/hip/DEI is pretty weak and annoying. "Everybody" rather than "Ladies and gentlemen" is another that comes to mind. Even the ISMs I have spoken to about it hate it.

Originally Posted by VE105 (Post 36876309)

Market news shares that Vivian Lo will be promoted to Director Customer Lifestyle w.e.f. 1 April. While Vivian undoubtedly has very good taste and created a refreshed ambience for Aria, let's hope that her successor is of larger build so that the next generation J seat would be more accomodating to tall people.

Originally Posted by wadia13 (Post 36876559)

Sarcasm is sometimes hard to detect online but this is one example, right? I mean, has there ever been a correlation between the girth of an airline executive and the spaciousness of their airline's seats?

Originally Posted by VE105 (Post 36876555)

If you browse David's link, you would find that there are at least 3 other directors whose job duties fit into "non-airline".

Originally Posted by Poto (Post 36876775)

which Asian destination will be the next for Aria?

Originally Posted by cxwaterboy (Post 36870310)

I was at the European launch event today (4-Feb) and got to try the mockup which I was told is a 1:1 scale of the actual product.

Things I did not get to try:
- Remote control
- TV features (e.g. Bluetooth, bathroom availability)
- Charging. I didn't bring a plug to test it.

The pros:
- The ambient lighting. The 5 different forms is a slam dunk improvement.
- The seat adjustment. With a press of a button, you can turn the seat into bed mode. It is marginally better than the 350 controls.
- The tray table. The adjustable table is another impressive part. It is easier to exit your seat without having to fully close the table. Now you simply push it forward.

The cons:
- The entrance towards the seat is extremely narrow. In the past, you could easily stand in that gap. However, I had to crab-walk my way in.
- The TV is too big and too close! It is at an uncomfortably close distance.
- The reduced size of the storage container.
- The footwell is tiny as reported. The seat also feels short. I am shorter than average and my feet were hitting the end of the seat.
- It is very hard to locate the wireless charging panel. Darker colours being used would be an instant QOL increase.

Things I am impartial to:
- The door. Not impressed or disappointed. I understand it is 2025 and it is industry standard.
- The armrest. It does the job. I wouldn't say this is good/bad compared to existing products.
- The sliding storage compartment. I am unsure if putting your wallet and passport there is a good idea. I also haven't tried opening and closing it with glasses of liquid on top.
- The new materials. The colour looks alright to me. The interior part of the shell now has a velvet-ish material.

Dealbreakers:
- The whole seat feels very confined and restrictive. Instead of the airy feeling you get with the old seats, you are almost locked into a tiny cubicle. This seat fits the theme of HK's lack of space.
- The TV is too big and too close!

Verdict:
- The product is good for Instagram pictures. Many flaws were left out in influencers' posts.
- I agree with QRC3288 that there's too much marketing hype. It will inevitably lead to disappointment.
- I would give long-haul a go before deciding whether it should be avoided.
- For now, I am happy to stick with the A350s. I wouldn't go out of my way to fly 250/255.

Note:
- (Disclaimer: unverified information) Aria could just be a stopgap for Halo. My understanding is that Aria extracted ideas from the new F product. The 777x J class could have an updated or even evolved design.

Originally Posted by ANZ787900 (Post 36877375)

I tried out the seat today at its London showcase. The TV wasn't too close for me. It is touchscreen too so it makes sense to be at about an arm's length away. But in any case, I'd take the A350 product with a smaller (but moveable) TV and no leg restriction any day.

Apart from that, I agree with the rest of your cons. Foot well is far too narrow and the bed feels short. The entrance is very narrow too - the (I believe he was a) flight attendant said it wasn't too narrow and proceeded to show me how to get into the suite, kicked the area below the armrest and nearly tripped!