Aircraft type for Aria Suite SYD or MEL to HKG.

[SydneyFC]

Attempting to book Aria suites from MEL to HKG in June 2026, I choose CX104, which is reported to be a 777-300ER by all reviewers. However, when I click on Aircraft details in the Cathay website, it states the plane is an A350-900. Does anyone know if this is a mistake or should I go ahead and book based on the flight number?
Thanks for any insight you can provide. Regards, Allan

 

[RB001]

Attempting to book Aria suites from MEL to HKG in June 2026, I choose CX104, which is reported to be a 777-300ER by all reviewers. However, when I click on Aircraft details in the Cathay website, it states the plane is an A350-900. Does anyone know if this is a mistake or should I go ahead and book based on the flight number?
Thanks for any insight you can provide. Regards, Allan

Welcome to posting, @SydneyFC !

What you're seeing could just be placeholder aircraft types, as Cathay has only relatively recently released the flight numbers for a number of Aria routes through to the end of March.
Note: Melbourne is changing Aria-equipped flight numbers at this time.

Cathay Pacific NW25 361-seater 777-300ER Operations – 17AUG25 — AeroRoutes

Published at 1600PDT / 2300GMT 21AUG25 Cathay Pacific in recent schedule update filed planned 361-seater 777-300ER operations for Northern winter 2025/26 season. As of 17AUG25, the new 3-class aircraft featuring Aria Suite is scheduled to service following routes between 26OCT25 and 28MAR26. Hon

www.aeroroutes.com

 

[SydneyFC]

Thanks for that information. Looks like flight numbers could possibly change again for the northern summer season by the time I wish to fly. Ah well, nothing like a bit of uncertainty to spice up life.

 

[markis10]

Aircraft types can change very quickly depending on demand, June next year is a long way away

 

[SeatBackForward]

D'oh, am on the 161/162 combo next month and was looking forward to trying the new PE seats. Might get lucky on the HKG<>LHR sectors?

 

[SYD]

D'oh, am on the 161/162 combo next month and was looking forward to trying the new PE seats. Might get lucky on the HKG<>LHR sectors?

What changed? I’m flying 162 this week (and 161 next month) and expect Aria on both.

 

[markis10]

What changed? I’m flying 162 this week (and 161 next month) and expect Aria on both.

No aria for you!

As of 17AUG25, the new 3-class aircraft featuring Aria Suite is scheduled to service following routes between 26OCT25 and 28MAR26.

Hong Kong – London Heathrow CX255/250
Hong Kong – Melbourne CX163/178
Hong Kong – Sapporo New Chitose 26OCT25 – 31DEC25 CX580/581 (5 weekly in November)
Hong Kong – Sydney CX101/100

 

[SYD]

No aria for you!

As of 17AUG25, the new 3-class aircraft featuring Aria Suite is scheduled to service following routes between 26OCT25 and 28MAR26.

Hong Kong – London Heathrow CX255/250
Hong Kong – Melbourne CX163/178
Hong Kong – Sapporo New Chitose 26OCT25 – 31DEC25 CX580/581 (5 weekly in November)
Hong Kong – Sydney CX101/100

Seat map is showing Aria.

 

[SeatBackForward]

No aria for you!

As of 17AUG25, the new 3-class aircraft featuring Aria Suite is scheduled to service following routes between 26OCT25 and 28MAR26.

Hong Kong – London Heathrow CX255/250
Hong Kong – Melbourne CX163/178
Hong Kong – Sapporo New Chitose 26OCT25 – 31DEC25 CX580/581 (5 weekly in November)
Hong Kong – Sydney CX101/100

Double D'oh, not on either of those for the LHR sectors either..

 

[SYD]

Double D'oh, not on either of those for the LHR sectors either..

Check the seat map on your Oz flights. New config is Rows 30-35 as PE.

 

[SeatBackForward]

Check the seat map on your Oz flights. New config is Rows 30-35 as PE.

Are you checking seat maps on the CX site or somewhere else? I wouldn't be very trusting of any 3rd party seatmap

Row's 30-35 are PE in both configurations:

 

[SYD]

Are you checking seat maps on the CX site or somewhere else? I wouldn't be very trusting of any 3rd party seatmap

No, look at your actual seatmap on CX MMB. If there’s PE Rows 30-35, then it’s the new config.

 

[markis10]

Seat map is showing Aria.

Change is from Oct , I initially read it as last month, Aria equipped aircraft are currently being used on that flight inc today

 

[SeatBackForward]

No, look at your actual seatmap on CX MMB. If there’s PE Rows 30-35, then it’s the new config.

sorry Edited my previous post - rows 30-35 are PE in both configs.

Edit: wait hang on, AFTER 26th Oct? so I may have hope still as I'm before that.

 

[RB001]

Per the guidance from Aeroroutes, posted upthread - the changes were announced 17 August, but don't kick in until 26 October (CX101 down from HKG) and 27 October (CX100 SYD-HKG).