Cathay Pacific has announced the launch of their revolutionary new long-haul product, which is to be included on the South Africa route from Johannesburg to Hong Kong. The new product introduces a new cabin design, seat and in-flight entertainment system to improve seat and cabin comfort across First, Business and Economy classes.

Cathay Pacific worked with leading transportation design consultant, Design Q who came up with the overall design concept, with the key aim being to design a fresh, inspirational interior for all three cabin classes.

"The brief was to create a cabin environment that is both natural and soothing, and at the same time very well-appointed," says Cathay Pacific's South African Country Manager Ed Higgs. "We aim to create a level of quality and attention to detail that exceeds the ordinary."

The airline's research indicated a strong expectation amongst passengers that the First Class product should be taken to a new level by increasing individual privacy, creating the ambience and convenience of a five-star hotel room.

The new First Class cabin offers:

  • An innovative new seat that can be used as an armchair, a chaise lounge or an extra long wide bed.
  • The bed is believed to be the largest provided on any commercial airline and added comfort comes courtesy of a plush mattress, duvet and lumbar massage function.
  • An ottoman in the suite and an extendable table means passengers can invite friends or colleagues to join them in their suite in-flight.
  • Three continuous working surfaces and in-seat power are provided, allowing the suite to be converted into a workstation whilst cabin baggage can be stowed in the suite itself providing easier personal access.

Business Class travellers will be pleased to hear that fully-flat beds are the hallmark of an overhaul of the Business cabin.

The Business revamp also includes:

  • A fishbone layout that allows unrestricted aisle access from each seat that transforms to a totally flat bed.
  • Ergonomically tested foam, further improve sitting/lounging comfort and promote restful sleep.
  • Simple seat controls allow full adjustment, including lumbar support, while a two-way massage function aids blood circulation.
  • Passengers are in full control of their own living area which features generous stowage space with all utilities, including a 15" tilting screen and noise-reducing headset, as well as a 110V AC power supply for personal electronic devices.

However, it is in the Economy Class cabin that Cathay has made its greatest leap forward, as passengers become increasingly concerned about travel-related health issues on long-haul flights as well as living space and legroom.

The new Cathay Pacific Economy Class cabin offers:

  • A evolutionary new seat featuring a "fixed back" design, similar to a mini-Business Class seat, allowing passengers to recline without intruding on those seated behind. This is the first Economy Class seat within the airline industry to provide a fixed living space which maximises knee and shin clearance.
  • The seat features exclusive LEAPLive back technology, designed for an award-winning office chair, meaning it provides dynamic and continuous support for the spine in all positions.
  • Other features include a bigger personal television and the introduction of audio and video entertainment on demand.

The new cabins have already been fitted to a number of Cathay's long-haul fleet, and by the end of 2008 will have been installed on 42 passenger aircraft. The new cabins will be available on Cathay's Johannesburg to Hong Kong route from October onwards, and is expected to be available on all Johannesburg flights by the end of March 2009.

For more information, visit http://www.cathaypacific.com.

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