Cathay Pacific says its forthcoming Airbus A350s won't include an inflight bar where business class passengers can do some sky-high socialising.
With the majority of Cathay Pacific's flights including an overnight component, the airline says that passengers rate comfort and sleep as a higher priority.
"The feedback from our passengers suggests that they are not inclined towards having a communal or lounge area in the cabin" says Rachel Khong, Cathay Pacific's Manager of Product for– Premium Cabins & Ground.
"Feedback indicates that they are concerned about noise pollution caused by other passenger mingling in the communal area, which would disrupt their relaxation or sleep."
"Furthermore, a number of our passengers also indicated that they do not prefer to socialise inflight, and would rather spend their time relaxing within the privacy of their seat."
Inflight bars are of course de rigueur for the best Airbus A380s with Emirates, Etihad and Qatar all offering their own take on a social space for drinks, snacks and chats at 40,000 feet.
Read: Airbus A380 'bar wars'
A350 launch customer Qatar opted to create a small self-serve area for snacks and drinks in the aircraft's main boarding zone, in the middle of the business class cabin.
Photo tour: Qatar Airways Airbus A350 business class
Cathay Pacific will begin flying the Airbus A350 in February 2016, with an upgraded business class seat based on the existing design but shaped by Germany's Porsche Design Group.
"It will will be very much an evolution of our current seat rather than a brand new seat" CX exec Toby Smith tells Australian Business Traveller.
"That seat has been very popular with passengers and we saw no reason to re-invent it."
Read: Cathay Pacific to launch new business class in February 2016
Follow Australian Business Traveller on Twitter: we're @AusBT
David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
Lufthansa - Miles & More
29 Jul 2014
Total posts 181
Hmmm not sure if thats a great idea I have used the bar a few times with work colleges on the same flight and it is good but that is what my dislike with cx is.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
19 Mar 2014
Total posts 567
I don't think the self serve bar would draw in too much mingling, Qatar's looks more like a place to stretch your legs and restock on some nuts.
28 Oct 2011
Total posts 645
I agree...that seems to be QRs concept, which serves its purpose...BUT I do hope there are some 'curtain type arrangements' in this area to at least partition this area (including the toilets located forward of the doors), from the WHOLE J/C cabin..It's way too OPEN...maybe that's OK in Economy, but not in a (supposedly 5*) Business Class cabin.
04 Nov 2012
Total posts 212
Many pax on EK can not get enough of the A380 online bar, spent few hours there on and off was top notch, if could be a Cx cost hey can do without.
Emirates Airlines - Skywards
07 Sep 2012
Total posts 146
I enjoy it on an evening flight if I've managed to finish all my work and/or reports. A good way to wind down especially if I'm homeward bound.
14 Jul 2016
Total posts 7
No bar on A350-1000, but can collect snack from the galley and that aircraft will also feature a mini bar on a seat instead. I heard it so like that.
Hi Guest, join in the discussion on Cathay Pacific Airbus A350 won't have an inflight bar