Cathay Pacific's regional offshoot Dragonair has unveilled its new first class seats – and, no surprise here, it's pretty much identical to Cathay Pacific's much-acclaimed business class seat.
And that's a good thing, considering this lie-flat bed is widely rated as one of the world's best business class seats. It's super-comfortable, with ample storage space and a pleasing degree of privacy due to the angled layout and wrap-around shell.
And it'll mean great consistency for travellers transferring from international Cathay Pacific flights onto Dragonair's regional routes.
Of course, Dragonair and Cathay Pacific also share the same regional business class seat...
... while Dragonair is also rolling out the same economy seats as Cathay is now rolling out on its long-haul international flights.
That's not to mention Dragonair's on-demand inflight entertainment system named StudioKA – which is modelled on Cathay Pacific's StudioCX system and includes iDevice connectivity, USB ports and AC power sockets in every seat from tip to tail.
But back to the pointy end of Dragonair's planes – and as you can see from the table below, it's a substantial improvement over the regional airline's current first class.
Dragonair's new first class will debut in March 2014 on selected three-class Airbus A330-300 jets.
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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.
Cathay Pacific - Asia Miles
25 Apr 2013
Total posts 542
Ah yes! Another choice from HKG to PEK (and PVG etc of course). Keep it up Dragonair!
02 Sep 2013
Total posts 11
I flew the old A330 from HKG to PEK, but i flew the new A330 on the way back (which was described in the photo).... So i guess u could get a mixed bag....
Cathay Pacific - Asia Miles
25 Apr 2013
Total posts 542
I've flown both old J and Y and new J and Y, along with Dragonair's (brought from CX, but not refurbished) shell seat economy. Mixed bag, usually good in biz but really a mixed bag in Y...
20 Feb 2012
Total posts 125
Dragonair is easily the worlds best regional airline
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
17 Aug 2012
Total posts 2199
When regional is an A330 from Hong Kong to Chongqing and Wuhan, not a Q400 from Sydney to Dubbo and Port Macquarie, yes.
20 Feb 2012
Total posts 125
well of course QF is way behind but using large aircraft is the way CX operates!!! no one is stopping the chinese carriers or QF from doing the same
Cathay Pacific - Asia Miles
25 Apr 2013
Total posts 542
And Cathay is also one of the world's best airlines. They make a great pair!
25 Sep 2013
Total posts 1242
Great for consistency as you point out.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
02 Jul 2011
Total posts 1374
I thought thewy were rebranding to Cathay Dragon
Cathay Pacific - Asia Miles
25 Apr 2013
Total posts 542
Long story short, the information is faux.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 May 2011
Total posts 732
Interesting to see the evolution of an "international" business class seat being used as "regional" First class seat (AA using the same seats as transpac First class on their new A321).
22 May 2015
Total posts 27
This is just like Business class, premium economy and economy class on Cathay's A330s, except it's Dragonair and Business class becomes First and Premium Economy becomes a much better business class.
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