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Boeing 777X delays are forcing Cathay Pacific to strip out first class cabins without an immediate replacement. The company's senior leaders share their strategy with Skift.
Last week was an important one for Cathay Pacific. The Hong Kong carrier unveiled its new business class cabin, known as the ‘Aria Suite’. The product represents a significant leap forward in passenger comfort and design for some of the airline’s most lucrative customers - but the launch presented questions about the future of first class.
Cathay's ambition is to be the world’s best premium airline. The carrier already competes strongly with international rivals, but there’s no room for complacency in this industry - especially at the top end of the market.
As work begins on rolling out Aria to 30 of Cathay’s Boeing 777-300ERs, attention (and speculation) now turns to first class. This ultra-exclusive cabin is part of the airline’s DNA. In 1983, it became the only Asian carrier to offer first, business, and economy services on every flight.
More recently, it has trimmed back its first class offering to a select fleet of 777-300ERs - as pictured above. These typically operate to global centers including London, Paris, and New York. However, even these planes are due to lose their firs