Thanks for the answer. It will be my first time flying J in my life and also part of a one month long trip to Oceania from the UK, so I hope I will still enjoy it :)

When will Cathay normally publish their new schedule? We want to experience the Aria suite from LHG to HKG but no award redemption available anymore, so thinking of doing PEK-HKG but don't see any Aria suite in November yet.

I suppose you will transit at HKG right? Enjoy the lounges CX is proud of (quite rightly so). Remember to take a look at your booking online for additional J meal choices.

most likely around late September. CX is the last airline usually to post scehduels and aircraft types, which is a bit annoying.

A last minute equipment swap from 77K to 77J on HKG-YVR yesterday presented me with an unexpected opportunity to try the Aria suite for the first time.

Bones of the seat essentially the same as the last generation of J seat (Cirrus J).

Three biggest improvements for me:
- improved digital quality of the inflight entertainment system
- furnishings of the seat which is a lot more luxurious now
- the privacy door which went a long way to help me get a good sleep. I could still sleep well in the old J but the door did help make my sleep feel a tad bit comfier.

I share a similar opinion as some other reviews about the foot rest being a little small in sleep mode. It's an issue I never had with Cirrus J. No seat is perfect I guess.

Also in fully upright mode (mode used during takeoff and landing), I actually find the Cirrus J easier to doze off if you are tired enough for a nap before they allow you to start reclining your seat. On Cirrus J you could leverage the panel containing the remote control and seat control functions to lean on towards the side for support.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...5209c908a.jpeg

Whereas with Aria, there isn't much of a wall anymore for support if you wish to lean to the side when seat is still in fully upright mode.
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...77992594d9.jpg

Very minor issue nonetheless that I'm just putting out there for folks who have a tendency to doze off already before the seatbelt signs turn off and passengers are allowed to start reclining their seats.

The mood lighting controls are a bit more complicated than before in the sense that there are too many modes to choose from. But hey you can never have too many options as a passenger I guess.

All in all I like Aria J but scheduling is probably still going to be my main criteria when picking a flight. In other words I wouldn't go out of my way to fly Aria J over Cirrus J.

I’ll miss the physical switches for seat controls. They look spectacular on the A350s and the tactile design is a great overall touch to aviation.

:(

CX888 HKG YVR has Aria equipment scheduled since July.

I flew CX810 which currently still scheduled as 77K.

Interesting

Any idea when Arria will arrive into the HKG-SFO leg?

No Aria scheduled to appear regularly yet but I have seen an Aria-equipped plane fly to SFO once. Likely another instance of last minute equipment swap after the 77K has gone tech.

Hi all,

does anyone know if the bulkhead (row 11) has extra foot space?

trying out Aria next week for the first time and am 6 6, so the previous Cirrus J was a favourite for me given the infinite vertical legroom

thanks

Unfortunately, similar to the A350 cirrus the bulkheads do not have any more space than any other seat. 11A/K on the 77A is still the best J seat in the system IMO.

Honestly with DL going to lax, wouldn't be surprised if it becomes a aria destination soon, so SFO might still have to wait

DL is expected to launch LAX-HKG in a year time. A lot can happen till then.