I’ve not yet done an Aria flight (but, soon-ish), so haven’t had a chance to really play with the live UX too much, but I know they were previously looking at some ‘Netflix-style’ categorisation - did you find that on your flight?

I have to say that I can relate to your comment in terms of overwhelming content, purely from a Netflix perspective again - when I used to subscribe to Netflix I found it super challenging to find content I wanted to watch because it was more like walking through endless library shelves looking for a book that appeals.

Obviously, it’s a bit of a classic ‘first world problem’!

I wonder if one solution to this could impact be along the same lines as what Singapore Airlines has done - with SQ you can browse the entire IFE catalogue ahead of your flight and then add programs of interest to a ‘watchlist’ on the SQ app. On board, the app syncs up to your IFE screen (through WiFi and aided by booking & seat number) and you can begin diving straight into those shows.

On the 350, I think they have "Netflix"-ifed it but I still find it a bit overwhelming. But like you, I find Netflix a bit difficult too. On the non-Aria 77W I think they didn't bother upgrading and the IFE UX is a bit dated.

I think the SQ idea doesn't really solve the problem but more shifts the work to before the flight, you probably still have to spend a bit of time browsing which doesn't appeal to me. One thing CX could think about is adding a "because you watched XYZ" thing like Netflix where they recommend other content based on what you watched (and this could be linked to your account so that it aggregates across flights). Maybe they have it already and I just don't notice because I don't really use the IFE very much. I tend to be on red eyes and just pass out as soon as we are wheels up.

To each their own but I also find the CX content skews a bit too high brown/"awards" for my taste as well, particularly the movies.

I like the filters with CX's interface although some don't quite capture what I'm looking for or in the mood for. Recommendations and learning your history is an interesting addition, although I wonder if I would miss out on some other good content relying on that feature alone. However I do find I enjoy most of the content that CX acquires.

CX IFE is superior to it's competitor.
i don't actually understand how ask the other award winning airlines have such clunky products with minimal choice.

This was being looked at, based on that Netflix model, but there was some concern over 'privacy' in tracking the passenger from one flight to the next. Now I couldn't quite understand why that would be an issue - to my simple mind, you'd just ask someone to give you permission to do X - but much smarter people than me are working on this, so there'd have to be something to it. I agree though, suggesting new content based on past viewing history would be fantastic.

The new Cathay's "Netflix"-ifed IFE UX are installed on all A350-900/1000s, 777s with Aria Suites and A321neos, the A330s and 777s without Aria suites cannot be upgraded due to the sluggish and outdated IFE hardware.

Just did 255. First impression is the screen is massive and very close to my face when seated upright. But actually it didn't really bother me during the flight. The quality of the screen is very good. very crisp and the available toilet function is handy.
The footwall is not as small as I thought it'd be but at a weird angle to the direction of the seat (almost 45 degree). There is a bump / dent in the middle of the seat when in full flat mode but didn't really affect my sleep in the end.
Movable armrest is handy but it does restrict access to the aisle even more in a fully flat position. The walls of other suites feel very high in seated position but you can seat the bright screen reflection of the person in front of you
Doors are manually unlocked by FAs after take-off and locked again before landing
Side panel is crisp and takes two presses for continuous movements.
Wireless charging works on one of my phones that has slimmer case but in and out on the other with a bumper case
The forward camera feels like of much higher res (but that can be just due to the 4K screen itself)

I also really like the panel by L1, it looks very elegant. The finish of the seat and the internal walls are nice. The real test will be how long it lasts

The only real downside was the horrific presentation and taste of the abalone dish but that's OT

Your first instinct is quite correct - the inflight cameras were upgraded during the refit :)

Loved it (and it was the only entertainment during taxiing and take-off as the rest of the IFE won't play for some reason, stuck after skipping the ads). It was fixed automatically once we were in the air.

Easter period 255/250 just got changed to Aria 77J, any seats to avoid?

if you care about having a window in a window seat, I believe the last seat in the front section right side is windowless.

otherwise they all seem to be fairly similar, my initial impression of Aria is that it has equalised seat selection in a way that no other CX J class config does.

I’d avoid the last row of the front cabin and first row of the aft cabin. All J meal prep were done from the mid galley

Do anyone know what are the aria routes from March? Except 255/250?

i believe its going to SIN or PEK, possibly not daily though.

Flying to PEK on CX334/CX331 on whole of Summer 25 schedule