Cathay Pacific’s first Airbus A350-900XWB aircraft has arrived at the airline’s Hong Kong base.
It is the first of 48 A350s scheduled to be delivered to the airline. The new aircraft features Cathay Pacific’s latest inflight products in the Business Class, Premium Economy Class and Economy Class cabins.
Business Class
The A350 Business Class seats build on the success of Cathay Pacific’s award-winning long-haul Business Class product to create a truly memorable experience. Alongside a fully flat bed, new features include extra stowage space within easy reach and the personal service offered by a “Do Not Disturb” and “Wake Up Call” function in the entertainment system.
Premium Economy Class and Economy Class
The Premium Economy Class and Economy Class seats also come with a number of new features, including dedicated tablet holders that make it easy for passengers to enjoy entertainment content on their own devices, and exclusive power outlets and USB ports. Each Premium Economy Class seat has a fully integrated leg rest which, together with the ergonomically designed seat, allows more flexibility to adjust for optimal comfort. The six-way headrest in Economy Class is a proprietary design that provides better support and enhances sleeping comfort.
Inflight entertainment
The new A350 inflight entertainment system is equipped with new interactive features which broaden the inflight entertainment options for passengers along with a wider screen in all classes. Connectivity is installed for the first time in a Cathay Pacific aircraft, allowing passengers, for a fee, to browse the internet, send and receive emails and connect on social media. Access to the Cathay Pacific website, a number of partner websites and three live TV news channels is available free of charge.
Cathay Pacific Chief Operating Officer Rupert Hogg:
“We understand that for our passengers, sleeping well, enjoying first-class entertainment, and using products that have been designed with them in mind are of the utmost importance. The new A350 will provide the very best of all these,” Mr Hogg said. “The lower cabin pressure and noise levels combine with our new features to set passengers up for the best sleeping experience possible in the skies. We have gone all out to provide the best inflight entertainment too. All seats come with the latest high-definition touchscreen personal TVs and a greater selection of movies, TV, live news channels and music. Inflight Wi-Fi is also available to connect passengers to family, work and world events, if they choose. We could not be more excited with what we’ve seen so far of the A350, and I’m sure that our passengers will feel the same way once they step on board.
“This superbly efficient aircraft will help us further expand our global network and strengthen Hong Kong’s reputation as an international aviation hub, helping to oil the wheels of commerce and trade in our home city.”
Cathay Pacific’s A350-900 will operate mainly on regional destinations until more A350s arrive, and the aircraft will be deployed on various long-haul routes – including London Gatwick and Düsseldorf – from the third quarter of 2016.
N.B. Image credit: Cathay Pacific
