Milan 'beats' Paris, Cathay brings new cabins to Malpensa, not CDG

We have written about this several times in our articles, Italy is not a premium destination.

Yes, true, we are a major destination for all companies, just think of how many of our airports are connected with intercontinental destinations than France or Germany, but the point is. we are a leisure destination, where passengers come for vacation and not for business as they do in Frankfurt or Paris, obviously leaving London out of the tussle, which plays in a league of its own.

This translates to the fact that No carrier brings its flagship to Italian skies. First Class, were it not for Emirates (almost). would not exist, while WOW booths, the more modern ones are very rare commodities.

Impossible to be certain of flying in QSuite with Qatar, U.S. airlines are still flying 767s and overage planes, Orientals never put their flagship product on Italian routes, but things are about to change: Cathay Pacific's "new" 777s will debut in Milan on January 3, and the music is set to change.

The best cabin for flying to the East

Mind you, I'm not just talking about the new business class cabins., certainly the most Instagrammable, but of all the seats on board: from the latest tourist seat to the new Premium Economy, not to mention the lounges available to passengers departing from or transiting through Hong Kong airport that are the icing on the cake of this ticket.

The result is a completely new product: Air Suite in Business, Premium Economy finally lives up to the name and Economy revamped, which already starts from a very solid base. It is not a makeover; it is a change of pace.

Today these cabins fly to very few destinations: London and Frankfurt in Europe, Vancouver in Canada, Melbourne and Sydney in Australia. Starting January 1, however, San Francisco, Tokyo and Milan will also be added. E the fact that Milan was preferred over Paris is really a sign of how important traffic from Malpensa is to the Hong Kong company.

The real strength of this new 777-300ER is not a single cabin, but the consistency of experience. Everything speaks the same language: useful technology, real comfort, strong identity.

There are no unnecessary gimmicks, but smart choices that make flying more enjoyable from the first to the last minute, regardless of where you are sitting.

Which flights will have Cathay Pacific's new cabins.

Initially, only 3 rotations will be made, every week, with the new machines, but it is likely that in the coming months the touching of the machines with the old cabs will fade to ensure the same product quality for all.

Aria Suites will be on board the departing cars Monday, Wednesday and Saturday From Milan to Hong Kong.

An investment that tells a strategy

The new cabins, currently installed only on 11 Cathay Pacific 777/300s. are undoubtedly the best of all those that make it possible to fly from Malpensa, and from other Italian airports, to the East. CX is one-third of the way through its 777 interior renovation and considering that it takes about 2 months of work to complete the facelift, it will still take all of 2026 and much of 27 before we have completed the redesign.

All this arises within a giant plan: more than 100 billion Hong Kong dollars invested by Cathay on fleet, cabins, lounge and services in the coming years. Translated from corporate language to "TFC-ese." Cathay wants to become a global reference again, not just "a good Asian company."

And the 777-300ERs are the perfect poster child for this strategy, as they fly everywhere and take the new CX course to the routes that really matter.

Aria Suite in pills

Let's start with the absolute protagonist. The Air Suite Is the new Cathay Business Class and, yes, finally comes the door. Not because of fashion, but because today privacy is an integral part of comfort.

Sitting on board immediately gives a clear feeling: everything is more mature, more polished, more contemporary. Suites are in 1-2-1 configuration, with direct corridor access for all, and offer:

• one real privacy, not symbolic
• one 24-inch 4K screen, huge and spectacular on night flights
• Wireless charging, well-placed outlets, and an IFE that really invites use
• elegant materials, soft lighting, relaxing atmosphere

The "Cathay" touch comes with the Gallery in the Skies, a selection of artworks designed to tell the story of Hong Kong. It is not a fad: it is identity, and it is something CX has always been able to do better than many others.

The message is clear: this Business is no match for the best new generation Asian products.

Premium Economy: finally a sensible choice

If there is one cabin that is surprising, it is the new Premium Economy. Here Cathay did not make the classic mistake of just "widening the seat a little bit". It has created a product with its own distinct dignity.

More enveloping armchairs, greater visual separation, 15.6-inch 4K screen, Bluetooth to connect your own headphones and even dedicated bathrooms.

It is the Premium Economy that many travelers have been waiting for: Perfect for long-haul when Business is out of budget, but Economy is no longer enough.

Economy Class: the best in the world (and now even better)

On theEconomy Cathay is playing at home. It should not be forgotten that, according to Skytrax, Cathay Pacific offers the world's best Economy Class.

The redesign brings more modern colors, updated materials and warmer lighting, without distorting what was already working. The feeling is of a more welcoming, less "tired" environment designed for those who spend many hours on board.

And when you improve something that is already considered the benchmark, the result can only be solid.

In conclusion

I Boeing 777-300ERs are a pillar of Cathay's network. And knowing that more and more flights will be operated with these new cabins completely changes the value of a ticket, and let's face it the fact that it lands first at Malpensa and then at Charles De Gaulle is also a small boast. And I'm looking forward to trying it next week, from Tokyo to Hong Kong.