What’s the Big Obsession With Doors?

Why It Matters

Sliding doors increase aircraft weight and maintenance costs, yet they drive passenger expectations and competitive positioning, potentially diverting resources from service quality and operational efficiency.

Key Takeaways

• Cathay Pacific adds sliding doors to Aria business suite.
• Doors increase weight and mechanical complexity for minimal privacy gain.
• Competitors use curtains or no doors, focusing on soft amenities.
• Industry sees doors as status symbol, driving cost‑inflated upgrades.
• Airlines risk neglecting service and food by over‑engineering cabins.

Pulse Analysis

The premium‑cabin arms race has accelerated in recent years, with sliding doors emerging as the latest badge of luxury. Airlines tout the visual appeal of a sealed suite, but the added mechanisms contribute to fuel burn and maintenance overhead. For carriers operating long‑haul fleets, even a few kilograms per seat translate into measurable operating expenses, prompting a reassessment of whether the perceived privacy boost justifies the cost.

Yet privacy can be achieved without heavy doors. Emirates’ first‑class cabins employ dual sliding panels that blend into the aisle, while Air France’s first‑class uses floor‑to‑ceiling curtains that offer visual separation with minimal hardware. These solutions preserve cabin weight and simplify repairs, allowing airlines to allocate budget toward higher‑impact soft‑product upgrades such as gourmet meals, curated wine lists, and personalized service—elements that directly influence Net Promoter Scores and repeat business.

Strategically, carriers must balance the allure of tangible, marketable features against the intangible benefits of service excellence. Over‑engineering cabins risks eroding profit margins, especially as fuel prices remain volatile. Airlines that prioritize a holistic experience—combining thoughtful design, efficient weight management, and attentive crew interaction—are better positioned to differentiate themselves in a crowded premium market and sustain long‑term loyalty.

What’s the Big Obsession With Doors?

#### February 3, 2026

Flying from Bangkok to Hong Kong the other day, I had the pleasure of sampling one of Cathay Pacific’s new “Aria” suites on the Boeing 777-300. This is Cathay’s swanky new business class product, currently available on a limited number of routes. A shame it was only a two-hour flight.

The food and wine were excellent — the service expedited for such a short ride. Find me a two-hour flight in the U.S. with a meal like the one below.

The “hard product,” to borrow industry parlance for the suite itself, was comfy and spacious. The layout is the common 1-2-1 herringbone, each seat with an oversized tray table and 24-inch video screen. (And I love the way Cathay’s headsets, while not bluetooth, are pre-plugged, with the attachment point hidden neatly away in a small amenities closet.)

What impressed me most, though, was the level of privacy. If you’re in the center section, as I was, a moveable panel closes you off from your neighbor, while on the aisle side your upper body sits deep within the sculpted shoulder wing.

It wasn’t until halfway through the flight that I realized there also was a sliding door. And I had to wonder, why bother? There was more than ample privacy as it was. With the seat in the bed position, there was barely two feet of open space, roughly at the position of your knees or mid-thigh. From Cathay’s point of view, is installing doors really worth the extra weight and mechanical complexity?

Looks like they’ve been bullied into it. For better or worse, doors are the industry standard these days. Indeed, airlines have gone sliding-door crazy. It’s become an arms race of sorts, and your first or biz class seat can’t be considered world class unless it comes with one, no matter how needless the amenity might be.

In some cases it makes sense. The geometry of a suite can be such that the lack of a door leaves you feeling exposed. The photo above, for example, shows the inside of an Emirates first class suite with its doors closed to the aisle (there are two that slide together). Without them, there’d be too much openness, too much clatter from outside.

But many are cozy enough to begin with, and the presence of a door feels gratuitous — even a little silly. They’re simply not needed.

If you insist, consider the way Air France does it, with a floor-to-ceiling curtain ensconcing each first class occupant. This is a simpler, less expensive, and much more elegant concept than the clunkiness of a door. (A curtain needs to be hung, however, which presents a problem for most cabin designs.)

How to define and quantify comfort? I reckon there are smarter ways for airlines to invest. We’re talking now about “soft product” enhancements, like better food or more gracious service. The worst thing a carrier can do is become hyper-focused on material aspects while the rest of its product deteriorates. I’d rather have a more attentive crew, a better meal presentation, or a less chaotic boarding experience, than some flimsy door.

Photos by the Author.

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