Cathay Pacific’s Aria business class is bringing back the romance of travel
After spending a weekend in Hong Kong, the flight back to Sydney was made even easier in the airline's new Aria Business Class design
AFTER THREE DAYS of colour, chaos and lots of beer at the Hong Kong Sevens, I boarded Cathay Pacific flight CX161 on Monday evening with one thing in mind: stillness.
The noise of the weekend, the roar of the crowd, the rhythm of the fan village, the many alcoholic beverages consumed and the flyover jet still echoed in my mind. In need of calm, stepping into the all new Aria Business Class felt like entering another universe. Sleek, sophisticated, and unapologetically calming, it was everything my body and mind needed after one of the biggest weekends of the year.
But before take off, I found a moment of complete serenity in The Pier Business Lounge – one of Cathay Pacific’s signature lounges at Hong Kong International Airport. Tucked away like a well-kept secret, its warm timber tones, soft lighting, curated interiors is the kind of place that makes you lower your voice. It makes you forget you’re in an airport terminal entirely. I settled in with a bowl of made-to-order dan dan noodles from the Noodle Bar (I may have had a few servings) and a chilled glass of sauvignon blanc, watching the city lights glitter beyond the tarmac. It was, in a word, bliss.
With a subtle blend of form and function, with a clear focus on thoughtful luxury revealed the Aria cabin’s true brilliance. From the first glance, it felt more like stepping into a boutique hotel suite than an aircraft seat. The curved partitions and minimalist finishes create a cocooning sense of privacy. It’s less “airline seat” and more “floating lounge”.
I was welcomed with another glass of champagne (it would’ve been rude not to accept) and handed a stylish amenity kit curated by Hong Kong luxury brand Bamford. Inside, the essentials were wrapped in considered packaging: skincare, socks, a sleep mask.
Once in the air, the Aria seat’s fully flat bed revealed itself with surprisingly generous space. I’m 6’1”, and I could stretch out without a second thought. The bedding was plush, the lighting customisable and the side storage was perfect for tucking away everything from a novel to noise cancelling headphones. It’s the kind of setup and hominess that makes you forget you’re 35,000 feet in the air.
Dinner was a standout. The inflight menu leaned into modern Asian flavours, with a perfectly cooked Braised pork ribs with Hawathorn sauce and a side of pak choy, that, admittedly, rivalled anything I’d eaten on the ground all weekend. Paired with a smooth Barossa valley shiraz and followed by a delicious strawberry and rhubarb crumble – the perfect bookend to a weekend of indulgence.
The entertainment system was stacked with everything from Hollywood hits to Hong Kong arthouse cinema, but in truth, I barely used it. For the first time in months, I simply reclined, pulled the plush duvet over me and got some well needed shut eye.
And that’s the magic of Cathay’s new Aria experience: it doesn’t just transport you physically, it delivers you somewhere. Somewhere quiet. Somewhere curated. Somewhere you actually want to be. Again, I forgot I was even on an aeroplane and 35,000 feet in the air.
When the lights gently came on as we began our descent into Sydney, I felt rested, nourished and unexpectedly a little reluctant to get off.
Cathay Pacific’s new Aria Business Class isn’t just a cabin upgrade. It’s a return to the romance of travel. And after a weekend like Hong Kong Sevens, it was the perfect homecoming.
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