We spoke to Frosti Lau, Cathay Regional General Manager, Southwest Pacific, to find out why they are so excited about the new additions and the airline’s bold plans for the future.
Q: You’re currently in Melbourne showcasing the new onboard products. How has the reaction been?
A: The response has been fantastic. We’ve had queues forming early with people really eager to try out our new Premium Economy seats and, of course, experience the Aria Suite, our new business class seat.
Feedback has been excellent so far. Some people here today have already flown in the Aria Suite and absolutely loved it.
Q: And next week you’re in Sydney?
A: That’s right. We’re heading to Westfield Chatswood for three days. Visitors can collect a personalised boarding pass, win great prizes and even go into the draw for two business class tickets to Hong Kong.
Q: Let’s talk about the Aria Suite. How excited is Cathay Pacific about this new product?
A: Very excited. The Aria Suite design focuses on comfort, craftsmanship and flexibility. Compared to our previous business class, which was already popular, this is a step up.
You can choose various recline positions, whether you want to lounge like you’re on a couch, fully lie down, or sit up to enjoy breakfast.
We have customisable lighting features such as movie-watching, etc. There’s also an optional sliding door for extra privacy. Personally, I prefer the openness without the door, but many passengers love the privacy option.
We have also redesigned Premium Economy. There’s a new reading light, improved arm support and slimmer armrests to give you more space. It’s not fully enclosed, but there’s a small privacy panel to make the journey more comfortable.
Q: Why was Australia chosen for the Aria Suite rollout ahead of other markets?
A: The Australian market is incredibly important to Cathay Pacific. We have strong, long-standing ties – many Australians live and work in Hong Kong and vice versa.
Australia was a priority because Australians travel frequently and value premium comfort on long-haul flights.
Q: Great to hear you talk so positively about the Australian market. I believe you’re also expanding your services?
A: We operate Sydney four times daily, Melbourne three times daily, and Brisbane and Perth will go double daily in October. We also have seasonal flights from Cairns and a new seasonal service to Adelaide will begin in November.
By the end of the year, including seasonal routes, we’ll operate close to 100 flights weekly from Australia and New Zealand to Hong Kong, connecting to our network of more than 100 global destinations.
Q: Cathay is investing HKD 100 billion into the fleet and products. What does that mean for passengers?
A: That investment covers new aircraft purchases, retrofits, lounges, digital innovation, inflight entertainment and service enhancements.
For example, our business class menus now feature collaborations with Michelin-starred restaurants, while Premium Economy also benefits from elevated dining partnerships.
We’re investing not just in the seat experience but in the entire experience – from food to service design.
Q: Are you seeing more demand for business and Premium Economy?
A: Yes, especially on longer routes. Many travellers see Premium Economy as a worthwhile investment for extra comfort, particularly for family trips.
Business travellers are also booking Premium Economy or business class to save time and arrive well-rested. Australia’s distance from many destinations makes that upgrade more appealing.
Q: For someone who’s never flown with Cathay Pacific, what can they expect?
A: Warm Asian hospitality. Our crew comes from more than 15 different nationalities, with a strong Asian cultural influence.
Passengers can expect thoughtful service, excellent dining and a wide range of inflight entertainment.
We tailor our offerings for different age groups and travel styles – my friend’s daughter recently enjoyed playing Monopoly on our inflight system for an entire flight!
Q: Finally, what’s the ultimate goal for Cathay Pacific?
A: Our aspiration is to be the greatest service brand in the world, the one offering the best overall value and experience. We want passengers to walk away feeling their journey was worth every cent.
We’ve been named one of the world’s top three airlines by Skytrax and have won “Best Economy Service” for two years running. We’ll keep aiming higher.
Cathay Pacific is inviting the public to try the new seats during an immersive showcase at Westfield Chatswood Shopping Centre, from Thursday August 21 to Saturday August 23.
https://flights.cathaypacific.com/
