For those that name North America house and benefit from the finer issues in life (and in the air), you are in luck: Cathay Pacific simply launched the primary North American route for its luxurious Aria Suite product.
This month, the model introduced that it might launch three return flights per week, beginning June 5, from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) in British Columbia to Hong Kong International Airport (HKG). The provider’s flights on the route characteristic the Aria Suites, in addition to new premium economic system seats and refreshed commonplace seating in economic system.
This is Cathay Pacific’s third long-haul route for the new Aria Suite product, following its introduction on the provider’s London to Hong Kong and Sydney to Hong Kong providers.
The debut of the Aria Suite business-class expertise in October 2024, on Cathay Pacific’s then-new Boeing 777-300ER plane, was the most important replace to the model’s business-class product in over a decade, signaling a major step in the airline’s evolution.
“We are proud to continue our commitment to offering an unparalleled level of comfort and convenience by bringing our highly anticipated Aria Suite to our North American customers,” Chris van den Hooven, the airline’s senior vp of the Americas, mentioned in a press release. “Just over 40 years ago, Vancouver was our first long-haul passenger route between North America and Hong Kong. We are thrilled to introduce the Aria Suite to the Americas via Vancouver, further demonstrating the importance of the region to Cathay Pacific.”
So, what’s the 13 1/2-hour journey from Vancouver to Hong Kong like in the consolation of an Aria Suite? Luckily, TPG was one of many first shops to check out this new route for the product. Here’s an inside have a look at the Aria Suite expertise from Vancouver to Hong Kong.
At the airport
Cathay Pacific’s check-in counter at YVR is in the worldwide terminal at Departure Level 3. Travelers can test in as much as 4 hours earlier than their scheduled departure.
Aria Suite passengers will get pleasure from precedence check-in, two checked luggage as much as 70 kilos every, lounge entry (Cathay Pacific lounges and Oneworld associate lounges) and precedence boarding. At YVR, Aria Suite passengers can head straight to the glossy Cathay Pacific lounge to calm down earlier than boarding.
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ELLIE NAN STORCK/THE POINTS GUY
Since my June 8 flight departed simply after 1 a.m., I received to the airport round 9:30 p.m. so I may maximize my time on the airline’s extremely regarded lounge (positioned at gate D70). There, I needed to get at the very least one bowl of the well-known peanuty dan dan noodles, which come extremely advisable from everybody I do know who has handed via any Cathay Pacific lounge. (I can verify that they’re delectable and make for a great preflight snack.)
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The lounge options the signature noodle bar (you’ll be able to guess the place I spent most of my time), in addition to a number of spacious seating areas with varied configurations of snug armchairs, separated from the eating space by a collection of engaging paned home windows. There is even a small room referred to as “The Bureau,” outfitted with desktop Apple computer systems and printers for these in being particularly productive. Additionally, there’s a area to retailer baggage, and you will find a number of bathe suites with premium Aesop toiletries.
Onboard product
As for the “product” — or the precise seat — Cathay Pacific’s Aria Suites, every of which is a 78-inch recline lie-flat seat that’s 21 inches vast, are configured in a 1-2-1 format.
Like the opposite Aria Suite merchandise that TPG has reviewed (such because the London-to-Hong Kong route), the suites characteristic a wraparound seat design with a door that slides closed for max privateness. Thoughtful touches like a delicate leather-based headrest and a wool-lined lie-flat mattress make for an exceptionally snug expertise, and high-tech options, together with wi-fi cellphone charging and a glossy touchscreen seat management interface, imply that leisure, work and sleep are all straightforward choices in the course of the flight.
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ELLIE NAN STORCK/THE POINTS GUY
Speaking of know-how, company can sit up for searching a variety of films and TV exhibits on a 24-inch touchscreen TV. (Bluetooth headphone connection is an choice, however every suite comes outfitted with a set of wired headphones for individuals who want them.) I additionally loved the power to discover the place in the world we have been with the interactive map.
The touchscreen permits passengers to test which restrooms are open at any given time. Along the best facet of the seat, company will discover one other small touchscreen that permits you to management the seat going up and down, in addition to the lights, calling for help and maintaining a tally of how a lot flight time is left in the journey.
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ELLIE NAN STORCK/THE POINTS GUY
Plenty of space for storing means it is simple to stow books, purses and small objects inside the suite, whereas bigger baggage items can go in the overhead bin (every suite has its personal).
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ELLIE NAN STORCK/THE POINTS GUY
I wasted no time trying out the leather-based toiletry bag crammed with goodies from Bamford, in addition to a dental equipment, a watch masks that claims “airplane mode” (cute) and a set of earplugs. There are additionally cozy slippers ready for you in your suite.
Inflight eating
True to type, Cathay Pacific actually delivered on inflight eating. After boarding, Aria Suite passengers are introduced with a collection of Champagne, cranberry juice and nonetheless or glowing water and might then peruse the food-and-drinks menu, in addition to place a breakfast order. You may even point out when you’d desire to not be woken up for the breakfast service, which I discovered to be a pleasant contact.
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For supper, which was served shortly after takeoff, I loved prawns with chilli garlic lobster sauce, served with bok choy, shiitake mushroom, steamed jasmine rice and pork and inexperienced marrow soup. While the soup wasn’t notably flavorful, the prawns have been scrumptious, and the jasmine rice was very fluffy. I opted to pair my dinner choice with Cathay Pacific’s refreshing signature cocktail, Cloud Nine (made with vodka, Cointreau, Sprite and lemon juice).
Dessert concerned three cheeses (edam, triple cream brie and manchego) alongside seasonal recent fruit. I additionally chosen a brilliant fruit-and-citrus-forward Mediterranean white — Chateau L’Hospitalet Grand Vin blanc — from the spectacular “Discovery Wines” menu, which showcases a set of lesser-known wines from world wide.
During the flight, business-class passengers even have the choice to order from the “All Day” menu, and I’d heard nice issues concerning the egg noodle soup (with barbecued pork and choy sum). It was the best warming postnap, midflight snack.
Several hours earlier than touchdown, the pleasant cabin crew got here round to serve breakfast. I loved orange juice, espresso and the “wellness” breakfast choice, which included seasonal recent fruit, heat pastries (these have been a bit lackluster) and strawberry yogurt with granola and a scrumptious berry compote.
How to e-book Cathay Pacific’s Aria Suite from Vancouver to Hong Kong
Cash charges for an Aria Suite business-class ticket on Cathay Pacific’s route from Vancouver to Hong Kong differ relying on the time of yr, the size of the journey and demand, however I see return tickets from round $3,660 over the subsequent three to 4 months. To maximize your buy, contemplate reserving your flights via a bank card journey portal or with a card that earns bonus factors on airfare purchases.
Unfortunately, business-class award availability on this route is at the moment nonexistent, even via Cathay Pacific’s Asia Miles program. But when you do occur to seek out availability, this is what you’ll be able to anticipate to pay for a one-way, nonstop business-class award from Vancouver to Hong Kong when reserving via a number of standard packages:
- Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan: Starting at 75,000 miles
- American Airlines AAdvantage: 70,000 miles
- Cathay Pacific Asia Miles: Starting at 88,000 miles
- Qantas Frequent Flyer: 104,500 factors for bookings on or earlier than Aug. 4 (125,400 factors for bookings from Aug. 5)
- Qatar Airways Privilege Club: 92,750 Avios
Of course, these charges are simply the factors, miles or Avios you may have to redeem, so you may additionally have to pay taxes and costs in your award. Also, preserve in thoughts that you could be not discover availability via each Oneworld alliance member, as Cathay might not share award availability with some or all of its companions. So, it is vital to have a collection of transferable rewards you’ll be able to switch to this system that has award availability.
Cathay Pacific business-class availability between Hong Kong and North America has been extraordinarily restricted because the coronavirus pandemic. So, your greatest wager for flying the new Aria Suite could also be to e-book a paid ticket or seek for award availability on different routes Cathay Pacific serves with Aria Suite-equipped planes (London to Hong Kong and Sydney to Hong Kong).
Finally, to be sure you find yourself on a airplane with the new Aria Suites, cross-check the flight you might be on with Cathay Pacific’s website to see which plane is working it. Not the entire provider’s 777-300ERs have the suites, however the ones that do might be denoted as “77J” on the schedule on Cathay Pacific’s web site and have 45 business-class seats aboard.
Remember that even when you e-book a 777-300ER flight with the new Aria Suites, Cathay Pacific may swap your plane kind at any level earlier than departure. So, contemplate establishing an KnowledgeableFlyer (owned by TPG’s father or mother firm, Red Ventures) plane change alert so that you’re notified of any configuration adjustments.
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