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British Airways unveiled the business-class seat it’s counting on to fend off Virgin Atlantic and other rivals in markets including London-to-New York, the world’s most lucrative route for corporate travel. The “Club Suite” will transform into a flat bed, a feature now standard after BA introduced it in the 1990s, but will also come with a door, meeting customer requests for added privacy, the airline said Monday. Also included are a vanity unit and mirror, an 18 1/2-inch screen and 40% more storage space. BA will switch to the new seats with the arrival of its first Airbus A350 jets in July. Each plane will feature 56 of the berths, plus the same number of premium economy seats -- which get a new pillow, quilt and amenity kit -- and 219 in economy. BA plans to install them across the bulk of its long-haul fleet. <br/>

Cathay Pacific is mining the data of its business-class customers so they’ll keep spending with the airline. The company has invested “a lot” in its data capability to find out what its premium customers like and is tailoring offerings specific to them, CE Rupert Hogg said Monday. In addition, the carrier plans to introduce a new product in its business-class cabin in the second half, he said. “We are doing what we would call sub-furnishing the environment, the ambiance of the business-class cabin. It’s mainly things that aren’t structural,” Hogg said. “It’s everything that will make that journey comfortable,” such as for sleeping, he said. The efforts are part of Cathay’s 3-year transformation program started in 2017 when Hogg assumed the top post <br/>

Cathay Pacific, in talks to buy LCC Hong Kong Express Airways, believes budget airlines have a "unique market segment" it does not capture at present, CE Rupert Hogg said Monday. Cathay this month said it was in "active discussions" to acquire the airline controlled by HNA Group. That would boost revenue and give Cathay access to the growing low-cost travel market at a time when a lack of slots at Hong Kong International has constrained its ability to follow peers like SIA and Qantas and set up its own budget brand. Hogg declined to comment on the status of talks to acquire Hong Kong Express but said the low prices offered by budget carriers helped to stimulate new travel demand, making it a "unique market segment". The potential acquisition comes as Cathay faces a more challenging outlook for revenue growth. <br/>