Interview with Adrien Ng of Cathay Pacific

In this interview, Adrien Ng, Area Head Southern Europe at Cathay Pacific Airways, talks about the airline's strategy in Southern Europe, with a particular focus on the Italian market, the strengthening of the premium offer and the role of Hong Kong as a global hub. From operations from Milan and Rome to the introduction of the new Aria Suite, to investments in fleet, network and sustainability, Cathay's vision for long-haul and the future of the travel experience emerges.

As Area Head Southern Europe at Cathay Pacific, what are your main responsibilities and areas of focus on a daily basis?

"As Area Head Southern Europe at Cathay, my primary responsibility is to lead and develop the airline’s business across Italy, France and Spain. This involves strengthening Cathay Pacific’s position as a premium airline, overseeing commercial performance, and working closely with teams across different functions to ensure a competitive, high quality customer offering. A key area of focus is fostering collaboration, both internally and with partners, to support network connectivity, premium services and brand reputation. Leadership also means combining the interests of the company and its employees, encouraging professional development, and maintaining a strong commercial mindset in a highly competitive and complex aviation environment."

From which airports does Cathay Pacific currently operate in Italy, and with which aircraft types?

"Cathay Pacific currently operates from Milan Malpensa with non stop services to Hong Kong, with Rome Fiumicino served with a summer seasonal service between March and October.
Milan Malpensa is served daily with the Boeing 777 300ER, and on select days aircraft refurbished with the new Aria Suite Business Class, new Premium Economy and refreshed Economy cabins. Rome-Hong Kong services operate four times weekly during the summer season and are operated with the Airbus A350 900".

What are the key features of the new Aria Suite in Business Class?

"The Aria Suite represents Cathay Pacific’s new-generation Business Class product, installed on select Boeing 777 300ER aircraft. It builds on the customer favourite reverse herringbone layout with substantially more personal space, enhanced privacy, and thoughtful storage throughout. Key features include individual enclosed suites with sliding doors, a fully flat bed, wrap around design for enhanced privacy, customisable ambient lighting, wireless charging, and large 24 inch 4K personal screens with Bluetooth audio. The cabin is conceived as an integrated personal space, balancing comfort, functionality and design. 

On which routes is the Aria Suite available in Italy, Europe and the rest of the world?

"Italy: from January 2026, Aria Suite is operating on selected Milan-Hong Kong services (initially three times weekly on Monday/Wednesday/Saturday), with the aim of growing to daily in the first half of the year.
Europe: Aria Suite is already flying daily on London Heathrow-Hong Kong and on Frankfurt-Hong Kong services. 
Rest of world: you’ll also find Aria Suite on selected flights linking Hong Kong with Sydney, Melbourne, Vancouver and, most recently, San Francisco, with further aircraft and routes joining as the retrofit programme progresses". 

Have Premium Economy and Economy Class also been enhanced?

"Yes. On our retrofitted 777 300ERs we’ve introduced a brand new Premium Economy cabin (greater sense of privacy, a 15.6 inch 4K screen with Bluetooth audio, and considered touches like a reading light within the privacy wing) and a refreshed Economy with upgraded IFE, an improved headrest, added device stowage and universal power-alongside mood lighting extended throughout the aircraft. 
In addition, we offer 100% seatback entertainment and 100% high speed Wi Fi across our entire fleet, with complimentary Wi Fi for First, Business and Premium Economy customers and Cathay Diamond and Gold members". 

What onboard services do you offer to passengers in terms of entertainment and Michelin-starred dining?

"Entertainment: our inflight entertainment system - twice named World’s Best Inflight Entertainment by Skytrax in 2023 and 2025 - now features 4K screens, Bluetooth pairing and a redesigned interface (on select aircraft). The library includes Disney+ selections, HBO Max programming and Sport 24 live sports on selected flights, all supported by high speed onboard Wi Fi. 
Michelin starred dining partnerships: in premium cabins we collaborate with Duddell’s (Michelin starred Cantonese) and Louise (Michelin starred contemporary French); in Premium Economy and Economy we’ve added menus created with Yat Tung Heen (Michelin starred Cantonese). These curated “Hong Kong Flavours” experiences run on selected long haul flights from Hong Kong and rotate seasonally". 

What comfort and services can passengers enjoy at Italian departure airports and in Hong Kong?

"Hong Kong: multiple Cathay Pacific signature lounges are available, which offer refined dining, wellness-focused spaces, work areas and shower facilities. Lounges include The Pier, First, The Pier, Business and The Wing Business. The Bridge also reopened in May 2025 with a refreshed design and new features; during the renovation of The Wing, First (reopening mid 2026), The Deck serves as an interim First Class lounge. 
Italy (Milan/Rome): eligible customers (by cabin or oneworld status) are hosted in quality partner lounges before departure".

Which destinations can be easily reached via Hong Kong with your connecting flights?

"Hong Kong is an ideal gateway to the Chinese Mainland, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, and Australia & New Zealand, among many others. Itineraries typically involve a single, well timed connection through our home hub of Hong Kong.

As a group we currently operate:

• 24 destinations in the Chinese Mainland with over 330 return flights/week,
• over 430 flights per week to Southeast Asia,
• 110+ return flights/week to North America (8 destinations),

• in winter, close to 100 return flights/weekly to 8 Southwest Pacific destinations".

   

How many destinations do you currently serve across your network, and what future developments are planned?

"The Cathay Group’s network is over 100 destinations worldwide. We operate close to 90 weekly Europe flights in winter 2025, rising to nearly 100 weekly across 12 European cities in summer 2026.

Cathay is investing well over HK$100+ billion to elevate the customer experience, and includes new aircraft, cabins, lounges and digital innovation. We are launching a new A330 lie flat Business Class launching from 2026 and a world leading First Class on our upcoming 777 9 fleet".

Sustainability is a key theme for the future of aviation: what are the main actions and investments Cathay Pacific is undertaking to reduce its environmental impact and make air travel more sustainable?

"Sustainability is a core pillar of Cathay Pacific’s long term strategy. The airline invests in more fuel efficient aircraft, operational efficiencies, waste reduction initiatives and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) programmes. Cabin redesigns also incorporate lighter materials and responsible sourcing, supporting the airline’s commitment to reducing its environmental footprint while maintaining premium standards".

This year Cathay Pacific celebrates its 80th anniversary: what initiatives and events have you planned to mark this milestone?

"Cathay is celebrating its 80th anniversary throughout 2026 with a full year of special events, initiatives and activations anchored by the theme “80 Years Together”. The celebrations began with the unveiling of a commemorative “lettuce leaf sandwich” aircraft livery on an Airbus A350, with a second livery to follow on a Boeing 747 freighter. Throughout the year, 1,000–2,000 cabin crew and ground employees will showcase vintage uniforms from different eras to bring the brand’s heritage to life. Cathay will also launch a curated merchandise collection inspired by the new liveries and iconic designs from its history, spanning aviation, travel and lifestyle items. More activities and announcements will continue to roll out over the course of 2026 as part of the anniversary programme including news of our local market activations and route celebrations".