Whereas particulars stay restricted as of now, Cathay Pacific has reiterated plans to introduce a brand new flat mattress enterprise class product on its regional extensive physique plane…
Cathay Pacific overhauling regional enterprise class in 2026
Cathay Pacific has simply introduced quite a lot of new initiatives, together with one which regional passengers on the airline will little question admire (this enhances Cathay Pacific introducing a brand new lengthy haul enterprise class in late 2024, and a brand new first-class in 2025).
Beginning in 2026, the oneworld airline intends to introduce a brand new regional product on its Airbus A330 fleet. For the primary time ever, Cathay Pacific will probably be introducing purpose-built flat beds for enterprise class on these flights.
For context, presently Cathay Pacific’s regional enterprise class consists of recliner seats in a 2-2-2 configuration. These seats don’t recline very a lot and have a tough shell design, and personally I don’t discover them to be terribly comfy for stress-free or sleeping.
It’s price emphasizing that Cathay Pacific additionally largely flies lengthy haul plane on regional routes, so it’s quite common to get flat beds on these routes. That’s as a result of the provider’s lengthy haul Airbus A330s, Airbus A350s, and Boeing 777s, usually function shorter flights between longer sectors.
So chances are you’ll very nicely end up on an A330 with flat beds, however the distinction is that these aren’t supposed to be regional plane.
Cathay Pacific presently has a fleet of 39 Airbus A330s, break up between the regional and lengthy haul plane. What has lengthy been exceptional about this fleet is simply what number of variants Cathay Pacific has, because the fleet has 5 completely different layouts:
- One regional configuration options 42 recliner enterprise class seats and 265 economic system seats
- One regional configuration options 24 recliner enterprise class seats and 293 economic system seats
- One lengthy haul configuration options 39 flat mattress enterprise class seats and 223 economic system seats
- One lengthy haul configuration options 28 flat mattress enterprise class seats and 265 economic system seats
- One lengthy haul configuration options 38 flat mattress enterprise class seats, 28 premium economic system seats, and 214 economic system seats
I’ve to think about that a part of the aim with this retrofit could be to standardize the A330 fleet a bit, as having so many variants can’t be environment friendly. So I’m curious if we would additionally see some lengthy haul A330s transformed into regional ones, or what.
Additionally take into account that Cathay Pacific has simply positioned an order for 30 Airbus A330-900neos, to be delivered between 2028 and 2031.
These subsequent technology plane will probably be used to exchange a few of the older current A330-300s, so presumably older A330s received’t be getting new cabins. It stays to be seen if these A330-900neos get the identical up to date cabins because the refreshed A330-300s, or if they’ve one more product.
What flat mattress enterprise class might Cathay Pacific introduce?
I’d argue that virtually any new enterprise class product on A330s that gives a flat mattress can be a major improve over what’s presently supplied on these flights. Nevertheless, I’m inquisitive about precisely which course the airline takes.
I feel essentially the most environment friendly flat mattress product that Cathay Pacific might introduce can be the Collins Aerospace Diamond seat, which can be in a 2-2-2 configuration. That is just like what you’ll discover on Gulf Air’s Airbus A321LRs, for instance. This might be completed with very comparable pitch to Cathay Pacific’s present regional enterprise class, and would supply much more consolation.
Nevertheless, arguably regional enterprise class inside Asia is extra aggressive than ever earlier than, and these days many airways supply flat mattress merchandise with direct aisle entry as the usual product within the area. For instance, Singapore Airways’ Boeing 787-10s are supposed completely as regional plane, and the airline has the Stelia Aerospace Symphony seat.
Equally, Starlux Airways’ Airbus A330-900neos are additionally supposed as regional plane, and the airline has the Safran Skylounge Core seat.
Personally I feel it’s doubtless that Cathay Pacific will attempt to introduce one thing aggressive with what different airways are utilizing within the area, even when the product has a materially bigger footprint than the present one.
Backside line
Cathay Pacific plans to introduce a brand new regional enterprise class product, which is able to debut on Airbus A330s in 2026. Thus far the airline has solely revealed that these planes will characteristic flat beds, so it’s anybody’s guess what seat the airline finally ends up introducing.
I’ve to think about that this may signify a major improve, given the competitors within the area. Moreover, I think that this product might also be launched on the newly ordered A330-900neos.
What are you anticipating from Cathay Pacific’s new regional enterprise class on A330s?
