Cathay Pacific Debuts Aria Suite in North America Alongside New Signature Menu

Cathay Pacific is upgrading the experience for transpacific travelers with the debut of its new Aria Suite Business Class product on flights between Vancouver and Hong Kong.

Beginning June 5, the suite is now available three times a week aboard retrofitted Boeing 777-300ERs and will progressively expand across more flights through the year.

Photo: Courtesy of Cathay Pacific

This marks the third long-haul route to receive the Aria Suite, following its official unveiling in October 2024. The new cabin joins a redesigned Premium Economy and refreshed Economy section, all part of the airline’s HK$100 billion investment to elevate its customer experience through aircraft, lounges, and digital services.

“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,” said Chris Vanden Hooven, Senior Vice President, Americas. “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.”

With 17 nonstop return flights per week from Vancouver to Hong Kong, and over 110 weekly flights between North America and Hong Kong this summer, the airline continues to push to become a top connector for business and leisure travelers across the Pacific.

New ‘Chinese Classics’ Menu

Just days before the Aria Suite’s debut in North America, Cathay Pacific hosted a tasting event on May 28 in Hong Kong to debut its new “Chinese Classics” Business Class dining menu, inspired by the Eight Great Cuisines of China.

Photo: Courtesy of Cathay Pacific

This culinary collection joins the airline’s existing “Hong Kong Flavors” and “International Favorites” and is rolling out progressively on selected outbound flights from Hong Kong starting April 2025.

“Our ‘Chinese Classics’ menu complements our already popular ‘Hong Kong Flavors’ and ‘International Favorites’ options, showcasing rich Chinese cultural heritage to all our customers,” said Erica Peng, Director, Customer Travel.

Photo: Courtesy of Cathay Pacific

“These dining offerings are meticulously crafted, vibrant in both flavor and presentation. We hope that these iconic dishes can offer our customers a taste of home and warm their hearts whenever, wherever they fly with us.”

The dishes are rooted in China’s storied culinary heritage, representing regional cooking styles from Sichuan, Fujian, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shandong, Guangdong, Anhui, and Hunan.

Photo: Courtesy of Cathay Pacific

According to the airline, its culinary team invested in deep research into the flavors, techniques, and ingredients of each region, adapting them to perform well at altitude without compromising on authenticity.

New dishes will debut monthly and include highlights such as biangbiang noodles, braised beef shin with cauliflower, savory bao, and crispy scallion pancakes.

The offerings will gradually extend to more routes and cabins, reflecting the airline’s commitment to showcasing Chinese culture through cuisine.

Food as Cultural Storytelling

To give travelers more insight into the inspiration behind the menu, Cathay will launch a three-part documentary series in July, spotlighting the creative process and cultural roots behind the “Chinese Classics.” The initiative, according to the airline, is part of a broader effort to enhance the airline’s brand identity through culinary storytelling and cross-cultural appreciation.

Photo: Courtesy of Cathay Pacific

Special Chinese wines and teas also complement the food onboard, while the “Hong Kong Flavors” concept has been introduced in lounges and across all cabins—turning each meal into a sensory celebration of place and tradition.

The Bridge Lounge Reopens

As premium passengers experience more thoughtful dining in the air, they’ll also find upgraded spaces to relax on the ground. The Bridge, one of Cathay’s hallmark lounges at Hong Kong International Airport, reopened in May 2025 with a full redesign focused on residential ambiance, functionality, and cultural accents.

Photo: Courtesy of Cathay Pacific

Located near Gate 35 in Terminal 1, the lounge features cherry wood, granite, travertine materials, original artworks, and plant-filled corners designed to evoke a tranquil yet elevated environment. Guests are welcomed with either biometric check-in or traditional counters—marking the first of Cathay’s lounges to integrate facial recognition technology.

Photo: Courtesy of Cathay Pacific

“Our goal was to create a space that feels genuinely welcoming — one that reflects our commitment to thoughtful, human-centric design,” said Guillaume Vivet, General Manager, Customer Experience Design. “From the furniture and dining to the scent and music, every detail has been carefully considered to enhance comfort and contribute to a relaxed, refined atmosphere.”

Dining at The Bridge

The lounge is divided into two distinct areas:

The left side focuses on regional Chinese cuisine, featuring the airline’s iconic Noodle Bar and a new section called The Nook, which serves lighter regional dishes such as steamed rice rolls and dim sum, presented from a custom-designed cart.

Photo: Courtesy of Cathay Pacific

The right side caters specifically to First Class passengers and Diamond members, offering Western comfort food from a new Food Hall. This area also includes a full-service bar with panoramic views of the runway, barista-made coffee, and a relaxation zone equipped with bespoke Solo Chairs.

Photo: Courtesy of Cathay Pacific

Both sides, according to the airline, reflect Cathay’s strategy of crafting pre-flight spaces that blend luxury with cultural authenticity.

Investing in a Seamless Premium Experience

The HK$100 billion transformation also includes upcoming flagship lounges in Beijing and New York, the full rollout of high-speed inflight Wi-Fi and upgraded entertainment across the fleet by August 2025, and continued refinement of onboard dining offerings.

Photo: Courtesy of Cathay Pacific

From elevated Chinese cuisine at altitude to new transpacific seating and digitally enhanced lounges, Cathay Pacific is weaving together every element of the journey to create a unified, culturally resonant experience for today’s discerning global traveler.

As the airline returns to full strength post-pandemic, it’s not simply recovering—it’s reimagining the very definition of premium travel.