Cathay Pacific will fly its retrofitted Boeing 777-300ER, with Aria Suite Business Class, new Premium Economy and refreshed Economy, between Perth and Hong Kong from 26 October 2026.
The aircraft is scheduled on CX171 (Hong Kong to Perth, departing 15:20, arriving 22:55) and CX140 (Perth to Hong Kong, departing 00:15, arriving 07:55) through to 27 March 2027. Cathay Pacific lists it as daily, with the usual "subject to operational changes" caveat.
Perth follows Sydney, which received the Aria Suite in March 2025, and Melbourne. It is the first time the product has been scheduled on the Perth route, which is currently operated by a mix of A350-900s and older 777-300ERs across Cathay's twice-daily service.
What You Get In The Aria Suite
The retrofitted 777-300ER carries 45 Aria Suites in a 1-2-1 reverse herringbone layout, up from 40 Business Class seats on the previous three-class 777. Each suite has a sliding privacy door, wireless charging, soft LED lighting, Bluetooth audio and a 24-inch 4K screen, the largest Cathay has fitted to any aircraft.
The seat angles away from the aisle, as the outgoing Cirrus seat did, and keeps the bedding and storage that made the old product popular. Each suite also carries a piece of artwork from Cathay's Gallery in the Skies program, commissioned from artists with a connection to Hong Kong.
Behind Business Class sit 48 new Premium Economy seats and 268 Economy seats, for 361 in total. Premium Economy gets its own pair of lavatories on the retrofitted aircraft.
How To Make Sure You Get It
The Aria Suite is only on CX171 and CX140. Cathay's other Perth pair, CX143 and CX144, keeps whatever aircraft is rostered on the day, so booking "Business Class to Hong Kong" is not enough.
When booking, check the seat map. The retrofitted 777 shows 45 Business Class seats in 1-2-1 and 48 Premium Economy seats in 2-4-2. The A350-900 that has been flying CX171 for most of 2026 shows 38 Business Class seats and 28 in Premium Economy.
Cathay is a oneworld member, so the Aria Suite can be booked with Qantas Points as a Classic Reward or with Asia Miles, provided the retrofitted aircraft is showing on the date you want.
The Fine Print
The deployment runs for the northern winter schedule only at this stage. Cathay has not said what happens from 28 March 2027, although it's likely we will continue seeing the Aria Suite on the popular Perth route.
CX140's 00:15 departure means a late-night check-in at Perth, though the upside is a 07:55 arrival into Hong Kong with a full day ahead and easy onward connections.
Summing Up
This is a proper upgrade for Perth. The current Cirrus seat was more than fine, but the Aria Suite with a door and a 24-inch screen is a nice upgrade! Now let's hope the product stays on the Perth route.
