Cathay Pacific introduces first class and new improved business class between Dubai and Hong Kong

The new service will take effect from September 2007.

The first class service boasts of more personal space with only 8 seats in the cabin, which can quickly and easily recline 180 degrees into a completely flat bed. Meanwhile, the new business class seat has been made more comfortable with enhanced features such as wider and longer Z-seats, special lumbar cushion, adjustable headrest with special wings for added privacy among others.

The new service's in-flight entertainment system in the First and new Business Class features bigger and enhanced television set with noise-cancelling headsets and Audio-Video-On-Demand (AVOD) system, offering a wide selection of films and short features which are viewable anytime.

Cathay Pacific Country Manager for UAE and Oman Henry Chan said: "The introduction of Cathay Pacific's First and new improved Business Class is in line with the growing demand among premium and corporate travelers in the UAE. We have seen great potential in the market and Cathay Pacific, with its rich history of operations in the Emirate is consistently working to improve its services for the customers."

The airline also announced that it will boost its Hong Kong hub and provide additional flights to North America and Australia. The move aims to provide more flight choices for Dubai passengers through its Hong Kong hub. The additional flights will start its operation between October and November. Cathay Pacific will then operate 3 daily flights to New York, 2 daily flights to San Francisco, 3 daily flights to Melbourne, daily flight to Adelaide and 5 flights per week to Perth while more flights to Vancouver are already in operation.

The rollout of its new three-class long-haul product and the enhanced services coincide with the imminent arrival of Cathay Pacific new fleet of Boeing 777-300ER aircraft and that together will help to redefine the long-haul experience offered by the airline.

"We are delighted to be able to offer more options for travel for passengers in Dubai, made possible by the continued expansion and enhancement of our fleet. The additional services to North America and Australia will bring more people from the UAE to and through Hong Kong," explained Chan.

He said the extra flights will provide Dubai passengers with more choice through Hong Kong, which is considered globally as one of the leading international aviation hubs.

Cathay Pacific links Dubai through Hong Kong to 150 destinations worldwide. The past few years have sent excellent growth between the Middle East, particularly Dubai and Hong Kong. The company reported recently a 23.5% growth in the number of visitors to Hong Kong from the UAE.

Last year, Cathay Pacific re-aligned its passenger flight schedule and now offers 10 non-stop flights between Dubai and Hong Kong per week with options of early evening departures and midnight departures. The airline also operates 4 weekly flights from Dubai to Hong Kong via Mumbai and Bangkok.

Cathay Pacific Airways last year celebrated its 60th anniversary and in November this year will mark 30 years of servicing UAE.