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
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.
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.
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