CX250 LHR–HKG: Cathay Pacific Aria Suite to Hong Kong

Following up on my previous trip report featuring Cathay Pacific’s new Aria Suite, I had the chance to fly it again on the return leg from London Heathrow to Hong Kong. Spoiler: it was just as impressive the second time around.

A Long Layover

After a week split between London and Geneva, I found myself flying back to Heathrow on a packed travel day. Flights between Geneva and London were unusually full, so I ended up on British Airways 727, departing Geneva at 11:50am and landing at Heathrow Terminal 5 by 12:35pm.

While Cathay’s earlier flight, CX238, was available, it featured the A350 instead of the new Aria-equipped Boeing 777-300ER. I opted instead for CX250, which was scheduled to depart at 6:20pm — giving me nearly six hours to kill in London. I took the Heathrow Express into the city, had a late lunch, and wandered around before heading back to Terminal 3 to make full use of the Cathay Pacific lounge.

Cacio e Pepe at Cecconi's in London Mayfair — A late lunch at Cecconi’s in Mayfair in London

Lounge at Heathrow T3

Cathay’s business class lounge at Heathrow is among the best in the network. There are showers, Cathay’s signature noodle bar, a cocktail bar, and well-stocked hot food counters. First Class and oneworld Emerald passengers are also granted access to a quieter, more refined First Class section (which I, sadly, did not have access to).

After an early flight and a fair bit of walking, I headed straight for the showers — no waiting required, which is a welcome change from the typical 20–30 minute queue in Hong Kong. As always, the facilities were immaculate, stocked with Aesop amenities, and made for the perfect reset before a long-haul night flight.

Feeling refreshed, I sampled a spicy Thai coconut soup that was new to me — and possibly unique to this lounge, as I’ve never spotted it even in Cathay’s Bangkok lounge. Soon enough, boarding time approached. Worth noting: Cathay’s gates are a good 10–15 minute walk from the lounge, so plan accordingly.

Nice apron views from the Cathay lounge

Spicy Thai Coconut Soup

Flight Overview

Flight: CX250 London Heathrow (LHR) – Hong Kong International (HKG)
Date: Saturday, 12 April 2025
Aircraft: Boeing 777-300ER (B-KPA)
Seat: 20K (Aria Suite, Business Class)
Duration: 12h 5m
Departure: 18:30 (scheduled 18:20)
Arrival: 13:34 the next day (scheduled 14:20)

Onboard: First Impressions of the Aria Suite (Take Two)

Boarding in daylight gave me a fresh perspective on the Aria Suite. Experiencing it the first time on CX255 late at night made the cabin feel very dark and intimate. The subtle textures, tonal contrasts, and material finishes really shine when viewed under natural light. I chose seat 20K this time, giving me a glimpse of the "Gallery in the Skies" artwork — a feature only visible from the K-side aisle when boarding.

While 20K is in the second section of the business cabin, the new 77J layout doesn’t include a mini-cabin like the older 777s. That said, privacy remains a strong point, thanks to high partitions and sliding doors.

Highly private cabin

Menus waiting at seat

Small screen with controls

Looking forward to heading home

The suite layout is intuitive: a generous side table for personal items, a hidden compartment for passports and small essentials, and thoughtful amenities waiting at your seat — slippers, bedding, a bottle of water, and Cathay’s signature amenity kit. Menus were also provided, including a breakfast card you can fill out in advance. That said, pens are never available (a small but consistent oversight), so bring your own or wait for a crew member to take your full order via tablet.

Settling into Cathay Pacific’s new Business Class Aria Suite 20K

There’s now a shoulder strap for the seatbelt — required only during takeoff and landing — with a leather flap to ensure comfort when lying flat.

The business class cabin was full. I did overhear a fellow passenger in 20G mention being advised upon boarding that his seat’s headset was INOP (wasn’t working) — and he felt frustrating to experience this on a newly refitted aircraft. The crew offered to assist with Bluetooth pairing to his own device and advised him to follow up with customer service for compensation.

The cabin feels both spacious and secluded. Unlike the older generation seats, where a quick glance could reveal your neighbor’s shoulders or elbows, the Aria Suite offers true isolation — even with the door open.

Photo from earlier CX255 flight: Preset seat modes

Most underrated feature: Lavatory occupancy map — it comes in handy

I particularly appreciated the intuitive lighting presets and lounge modes, along with features like wireless charging and that not-so-obvious side table compartment (on this flight, the crew didn’t pre-open the side table compartment for passengers like they did on my outbound leg on CX255).

For the less intuitive features, luckily there’s a helpful video shown before takeoff after the safety video.

Aria Suite introduction video

Dining at 35,000ft

One of the key advantages of flying an evening flight versus a red-eye is the enhanced meal service. Unlike abbreviated meals on late night flights, CX250 offered a full dining experience: amuse bouche, appetiser, main course, and dessert served from a trolley.

My choices for the evening:

Starter: Pea soup
Main: Braised pork belly with jasmine rice and pork soup with yam, carrot and corns
Dessert: Cheesecake and ice cream
Drinks: Negroni post-takeoff and a Coke Zero with dinner

The entire service was efficient and polished, wrapped up within an hour. Catering out of London seemed notably better than what I had out of Hong Kong on the previous flight.

Sleep Quality and Suite Design

After dinner, I changed into comfortable clothes and prepared the bed. The manual sliding door — while not motorized — does the job well enough. There's a small gap, so it’s not a fully enclosed suite, but the sense of privacy is unmatched. I managed a solid seven hours of uninterrupted sleep, which speaks volumes about the comfort and design of the Aria Suite.

Some reviewers have complained about the tighter footwell. I can say this is true, but for myself at about 5’8” with an average build, it didn’t affect me too much. If you are a heavier build, or taller, you may find it a bit tight.

CX255 B-KPA Aria Suite 21K Bedding — Photo from earlier CX255 flight: Aria Suite turned down into lie flat bed with provided bedding (mattress topper and quilt)

Having slept a majority of this return flight, I didn’t make much use of the IFE this time around, but for the short periods where it accompanied me over meals, it was excellent as well. Cathay’s IFE system with the Aria Suites is responsive and bright with tons of movies and television shows including HBO, Paramount and Disney+, and business class passengers (as well as Cathay Diamond members) also enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi for the duration of the flight.

Breakfast & Arrival

About 90 minutes before landing, breakfast was served. I had pre-selected the wellness option, which included:

Seasonal fruit and warm pastries
Cacao chia seed pudding with coconut yoghurt and blackberries
Latte and orange juice

We touched down at 13:34 on the new third runway, with a brief 11-minute taxi to the gate — a smooth end to a polished journey.

Verdict: Is the Aria Suite Worth It?

Without a doubt, yes. The Aria Suite delivers on what modern business class should be: private, stylish, and supremely comfortable. The massive IFE, well-thought-out seat features, and sleep-friendly cabin make it a compelling upgrade — especially when compared to Cathay’s older 777-300ERs and A350 configurations.

If you have the opportunity to fly a route featuring the 77J with Aria Suites — such as the upcoming Hong Kong to Vancouver service from June — take it. Your sleep, comfort, and overall flight experience will thank you.

Cathay Pacific
Boeing 777-300ER (77J) Aria Suite

Flights: CX250
Instagram: @cathaypacific

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New York: Le Bernardin (3*)

Le Bernardin is a distinguished seafood restaurant in New York City, renowned for its elegant dining experience and exquisite French cuisine.

The Le Bernardin Experience: History and Reputation

Dining at Le Bernardin was easily one of the highlights of my recent trip to New York. After reading countless positive reviews, I was curious to see what many consider the city’s top restaurant — and one of the most expensive dining experiences in the world — was really like.

Le Bernardin by Eric Ripert has long been a cornerstone of fine dining in Manhattan. It’s held three Michelin stars every year since the guide launched in New York back in 2005, and it’s also maintained a rare four-star review from The New York Times since 1986 — a feat in a city where tastes and trends shift constantly. The focus here is classic French seafood, with a strong sense of tradition. This isn’t the place for culinary theatrics or experimental “foam” dishes. Instead, it delivers an experience that feels elegant, assured, and very much part of the old guard of New York fine dining.

Reservations open on the first of each month for the following month, and can be made through Resy or by phone. I managed to secure a table for 5pm on a Saturday night with the help of the concierge team at Aman New York, where we were staying.

The dress code at Le Bernardin is “business casual” but the atmosphere is unmistakably formal, you’ll notice the air of occasion: gentlemen in suits and ties, ladies in elegant dresses, and an overall sense that this is a place for celebrations and memorable nights out. Even if the official dress code reads “business casual,” the reality on the floor often leans a notch higher. You are, after all, dining in one of New York’s most celebrated dining rooms.

Chef’s Tasting Menu

I went with the 8-course Chef’s Tasting Menu at $350, which was both flavourful and very filling. A few dishes stood out more than others, but overall the meal was very solid. To pair with the food, I had a few glasses of Domaine Testut’s 2023 Chablis from Côte de Bréchain.

Seafood takes center stage here, so don’t expect dishes drenched in bold sauces or heavy seasonings. Instead, the focus is on letting the natural freshness of the seafood shine through. For someone like me, whose palate is shaped by Asia’s love for bold, punchy flavors, these dishes struck a satisfying balance and were my favourite:

TUNA
Layers of Thinly Pounded Yellowfin Tuna; Foie Gras, Toasted Baguette, Chives

SALMON-CAVIAR
Slowly Baked Salmon; Royal Osetra Caviar, Horseradish Emulsion

DOVER SOLE
Pan Seared Dover Sole; Romanesco and Cauliflower Florets, Toasted Almonds, Soy-Lime Emulsion

HALIBUT
Steamed Halibut; Baby Vegetables, Jus de Viande

The subtlety in the menu didn’t mean blandness; rather, it allowed the delicate sweetness and oceanic notes of the seafood to come forward.

Coming from Asia, where portion sizes are often on the modest side, I was pleasantly surprised by how generous the servings were. I left the table both satisfied and full.

In short, the experience is less about intensity and more about appreciating the ingredients themselves.

"Tuna"

"Salmon-Caviar"

"Dover Sole"

"Halibut"

Michelin 3 Star Service

Service was exactly what you’d expect from a restaurant of this calibre: quietly precise, warm without being intrusive, and full of thoughtful touches. At one point, after a visit to the restroom, I returned to find my slightly soiled napkin had been replaced without a word. Tables were subtly cleared of crumbs between courses, dishes were introduced with detail and at a comfortable rhythm, and water glasses were never left empty. Wine was topped up just as the last sip approached — all done seamlessly, without prompting or performance. It was the kind of attentive yet invisible service that defines true fine dining.

Classic French Fine Dining

If you’ve spent any time searching for reviews of Le Bernardin, one question inevitably pops up: is it really worth the price tag? The answer, as with most things in fine dining, depends entirely on what you’re hoping to get out of your meal.

I booked a table at Le Bernardin because I wanted to experience one of New York City’s most acclaimed and time-honoured restaurants. After my visit, here’s my take: if you’re seeking boundary-pushing innovation or a parade of punchy flavours, Le Bernardin might not be what you’re after. But if your idea of a memorable night out is classic French fine dining, executed with precision and featuring some of the best seafood in the city, this iconic institution delivers in spades.

Le Bernardin is about refinement. The service is impeccable, the atmosphere is quietly elegant, and the dishes—while occasionally surprising—are rooted in tradition. For those who want to experience a landmark in New York’s dining scene, and appreciate the art of perfect seafood, Le Bernardin is a worthy splurge for a special occasion.

I’d give the experience an 8.5 out of 10.

Le Bernardin
155 W 51st St, New York, NY 10019, United States

Phone: +1 212-554-1515
Menu: le-bernardin.com
Instagram: @lebernardinny

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Shanghai: Capella Jian Ye Li

Capella Shanghai is a luxury hotel located in the Jian Ye Li heritage estate of the Xuhui District.

I recently spent a long weekend in Shanghai and checked into Capella after two fantastic stays at Capella Bangkok last year.

When planning the trip, we had considered other places, like the newly opened Shanghai EDITION, which is more chic, minimalistic and modern. But in the end, Capella won us over with its charm and character — especially the shikumen (石库门) villas, which are a real part of Shanghai’s architectural history. These townhouses date back to the 19th century and blend Chinese and French design in a way that feels both unique and authentic.

The shikumen villas at Capella were originally built in the 1930s for foreign traders and expats. By 1945, they’d become homes for local Shanghainese families, forming a tight-knit neighbourhood around narrow lanes.

Restored by Jaya Ibrahim, known for his work with Capella and Aman, each villa spans multiple levels and includes a rooftop terrace. The layout is efficient and well thought out: the ground floor has a small courtyard, a sitting area, and a powder room. Half a floor up is the entertainment room with a sofa, large TV, and a complimentary minibar.

The bedroom and walk-in wardrobe sit on the second level, and another half floor up is the bathroom, featuring a freestanding tub in the centre. Each room has windows that open to the leafy complex, adding light and ventilation. Because of the split-level design and high ceilings, the villa feels taller than it is — closer to five floors than three. Capella’s floor plan gives the clearest picture.

This floor plan is shared with guests in a welcome email.

Capella Shanghai is a small property — just 55 villas — which means the atmosphere is calm and private. The service, as I’ve come to expect from Capella, was excellent. They always seem to go a step further without being overbearing. What really sets them apart is their Culturist program — basically their concierge service, but far more thoughtful than most.

The Library (Lobby)

Outdoor seating outside the lobby

The Culturalist team handled all my restaurant bookings — from Michelin-starred spots to hard-to-get local favourites — without a hitch. At one point, I extended a massage at Auriga Spa from 90 to 120 minutes. Before I even asked, they’d already pushed back my lunch reservation and placed me in a virtual queue for a backup seating, just in case. A cab was also waiting for me after the treatment. I didn’t have to think about a thing.

There were other thoughtful details too: a new eyeglass cloth placed next to my glasses when I didn’t have one, a matchbox set beside a pack of cigarettes left in the courtyard, and practical touches like complimentary pressing for clothes.

That said, unlike Capella Bangkok, the property doesn’t offer much in terms of organised activities or excursions. If you're looking to explore the city, you’ll need to plan that part yourself.

Living room

Staircase

Bedroom

The villa itself felt completely private — great soundproofing, which you don’t always get in townhouse-style buildings. I spent mornings and evenings out on the rooftop or enjoying coffee in the courtyard. I didn’t end up using the entertainment room much, but it’s a nice space if you want to watch a film or play music.

Room service was a highlight — very cozy when served in the living room downstairs. They set it up behind the sofa, and it’s a lovely, intimate setup, perfect for a quiet meal.

Breakfast, though, was a bit of a mixed bag. It’s served at Le Comptoir de Pierre Gagnaire, the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant. The menu is expansive and the presentation is great, but the flavours were a little bland. A daily evening happy hour is hosted in the restaurant bar (or The Library), where cocktails are offered to all guests staying at the property.

Le Comptoir dining room

Le Comptoir bar

The spa and fitness centre are located in a separate building within the Auriga Spa complex.

There’s a small but beautifully designed plunge pool, covered by a canvas rooftop that can be opened to let in natural light — a nice touch on a clear day. It’s not large enough for laps, but perfect for a quick soak. The gym is compact but well equipped. We thoroughly enjoyed the spa treatment; the therapists were highly skilled and professional.

All in all, I’d give the stay a solid 8 out of 10.

Capella Shanghai offers something different — stylish, serene, and full of personality.

Capella Shanghai Jian Ye Li
480 West Jianguo Road, Xuhui District,
Shanghai 200031

Phone: +86 21 5466 6688
Reservations: capellahotels.com/en/capella-shanghai
Instagram: @capellashanghai
WeChat: @capellashanghai

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CX342 HKG–SHA: Cathay Pacific Business Class to Shanghai

Flight: CX342 HKG Hong Kong Intl to SHA Shanghai Hongqiao
Duration: 1h 56m
Date: Sunday, 27 April 2025
Scheduled Departure: 09:35 (Actual 09:56)
Scheduled Arrival: 12:05 (Actual 11:52)
Seat: 17K
Equipment: B-LAP

For a short weekend trip to Shanghai, I flew Cathay Pacific’s A330 service into Hongqiao Airport. Hongqiao is much closer to the city centre than Pudong, and also closer to Capella Shanghai, where we were staying for this trip. The whole journey from deplaning to checking into the hotel took just under an hour.

If you’re familiar with Tokyo’s airports, Hongqiao is a lot like Haneda: smaller, more efficient, and far more convenient than its larger counterpart. I was off the plane, through immigration, and in a car in about 20 minutes. From there, it was a 30-minute drive into the city.

Our flight was scheduled to depart at 9:35am, so we got to the airport around 8:00am. We stopped by the Centurion Lounge for a quick breakfast, where I opted for the abalone congee and shrimp dumplings, before heading to the gate.

Breakfast at Centurion Lounge

View from Centurion Lounge

Boarding started around 9:00am at Gate 69, right near the AMEX lounge. Cathay was testing a group-based boarding system for this flight, and business class passengers were placed in Group 2, with Diamond members in Group 1. Families and passengers needing assistance boarded first (“Group 0”).

The new system didn’t change much for those in premium cabins, but it probably helps organize things more efficiently in the economy cabin by boarding effectively by row numbers (back to front).

Cathay runs a 33J layout on this route—28 business class seats in a lie-flat, reverse herringbone setup, and a dense economy section with 265 seats. The business class seats are a bit more compact than what you’d find on their A350 or 777-300ER aircraft, with less storage space and an older IFE entertainment system. There’s no exterior camera view, and the flight map looks like something out of the early 2000s. But for a short flight, it does the job just fine.

Boarding as Group 2

Seat 17K (33J)

Meal service began less than an hour after takeoff. I had already eaten Chinese food in the lounge, so I went for the Western breakfast option onboard. A selection of bread was served from a basket, and to my surprise, they were offering the full wine list even on a morning flight. I had a glass of Burgundy—why not?

One small detail I appreciated: slippers were already waiting at the seat. That’s not typical for Cathay’s regional business class, where you usually just get a pillow and a bottle of water, and a blanket only if you ask. I asked some frequent fliers and found out that slippers are always included on flights to Mainland China, as a cultural courtesy.

We landed a few minutes early, at 11:56am, and bags were on the carousel by 12:15pm. Unfortunately, my suitcase came out with a dent, despite having a fragile tag—a bit frustrating, but not uncommon.

Western breakfast option

Breakfast views

Lovely dent in suitcase

Overall, it was a smooth, comfortable trip. The flight was efficient, the service was solid, and getting into the city from Hongqiao was quick and easy. For a short hop from Hong Kong to Shanghai, it’s hard to ask for more.

Cathay Pacific
Airbus 330-300 (33J)

Flights: CX342
Instagram: @cathaypacific

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CX255 HKG–LHR: Cathay Pacific Aria Suite to London

Cathay Pacific’s new Business Class Aria Suite on the Boeing 777-300ER.

I was genuinely excited to try Cathay Pacific’s new Aria Class business cabin. Originally, I had hoped to experience it on an upcoming New York long-haul, but that plan was dashed when I saw the outbound flight was an A350-1000 and the return was on a 777-300ER with first class—neither featuring the new suites. Then, by a fortunate twist of fate, a work trip to London came up, and I managed to secure seats on CX255 outbound and CX250 inbound, both fitted with the new Aria suites on the 777-300ER (77J).

Flight details

Flight: CX255 HKG Hong Kong Intl to LHR London Heathrow
Duration: 14h 23m
Date: Friday, 4 April 2025
Scheduled Departure: 23:15 (Actual 23:22)
Scheduled Arrival: 06:20 +1 (Actual 06:45 +1)
Seat: 21A
Equipment: B-KPA

Aria Suite 21A

Hidden/Enclosed storage tray

Large 24" Touchscreen IFE

Mini Touchpanel

Stepping on board, the first thing that struck me—something many have noted—is how much darker the cabin feels. The walls are clad in deeper tones with textured wallpaper that soaks up natural and cabin light rather than bouncing it around. The effect is a more intimate, cocoon-like atmosphere, aided by carefully calibrated soft lighting throughout the cabin and within each suite.

The seat itself feels a bit tighter in pitch, though the official measurements appear similar to the previous business class product. This sense of compression comes mainly from the smaller footwell and the fixed 24-inch IFE screen, which, unlike before, can’t be stowed away. That does reduce the feeling of usable space. On the plus side, the seat feels wider, especially thanks to the new sliding door that encloses the suite, giving a genuine sense of ownership beyond the armrest. The trade-off is narrower aisles—two people can no longer easily pass side-by-side as you could before.

The entertainment system is a standout. The large, glossy touchscreen offers vivid colours and sharp contrast, with a responsive interface that now mirrors a “Netflix-style” browsing experience. Once settled in, the screen is less imposing and more enjoyable.

Lighting gets a major overhaul here. Gone are the harsh overhead bulbs; instead, you have subtle, warm “wall lamp” lighting beside the seat. This fixture emits soft ambient light and hides three spotlights to illuminate your meal tray, footwell, and side table. It’s far more soothing and better suited for a premium cabin vibe.

The new door is a notable upgrade—finally, some privacy—but it comes with quirks. It slides out smoothly but without any floor tracks or latches, so it feels a little jittery and can’t be locked shut. While not perfect, the simplicity should help reduce maintenance headaches and, overall, a door beats no door.

The tray table design is also revamped. Instead of swinging in from the side, it pulls down and out directly in front of you, making it sturdier and larger. The downside is it’s harder to push aside if you want to step out briefly.

Cathay Signatures: Baked crab shell and egg white fried rice

Chinese breakfast

Wireless charging felt a bit hit-and-miss. It’s not clearly marked, and I struggled to find the “sweet spot” to get a charge, which was slow anyway. For now, a cable is more reliable.

Safety-wise, the seat now features a three-point seatbelt, though you only need it during takeoff and landing. You can remove the shoulder strap mid-flight for comfort, stowing it flush with the seat.

In terms of comfort, the cushioning feels unchanged—soft and supportive as before. A key improvement is the fine-tuned adjustability: you can manually tweak seat angle or pick from presets. I found the “Movie” preset particularly relaxing, turning the seat into a kind of lazy-boy perfect for movies or a nap. Lighting in the suite is also adjusted accordingly.

Movie-mode for suite

Bedding

Closed door — mind the gap

Open door — more private cabin

Sleeping on the Aria suite was generally excellent, helped by the door’s privacy which blocked aisle movement, neighbouring lights, and ambient noise. However, the cabin air on the 777-300ER still felt dry at times, leaving me a bit parched on waking—something to bear in mind. Bedding and mattress pads remain consistent with Cathay’s other long-haul business products.

Small touches impressed too. For instance, lowering the seat flat reveals a discreet touchscreen on the side console displaying arrival time and controls for seat and lighting—very handy. I also appreciated the lavatory occupancy indicator, a neat practical upgrade.

If your itinerary offers a choice, I’d recommend the Aria suite (77J) over the A350-1000 (A35K) or older 777-300ER (77A) business class cabins. On the HKG-LHR route, for example, the new suite makes a real difference—assuming you can book it at the right time.

Cathay Pacific
Boeing 777-300ER (77J) Aria Suite

Flights: CX255
Instagram: @cathaypacific