ABG

CX has a great product... but AC does have one seat on the return 26 May HKG-YYZ-YOW which is why you can't get the fare for two people. AC would probably release the 2nd seat vs losing you to CX.

I would not do Westjet for YOW-YYZ as their last flight is at 1800hrs which makes for a long wait in Pearson.

plangis

Don't neglect the fact that you will be seated in the new reconfigured 777, which has the new Business class seat (same as 787).

Transpacificflyer

I used both AC and CX in the past year and had a much better experience with CX. Noticeable differences were;
- CX personnel were more professional;
- beverage service was much better (AC's wine is for chain smoking winos who have impaired taste and olfactory senses);
- cleanliness of the aircraft was night and day with AC in need of a disinfection;
- baggage delivery with CX was superior, but is anyone surprised?
- Arrived more relaxed

And yes, I have found that there are days when the CX flights are better priced than the incredibly expensive AC flights. The CX experience is certainly worth the fare, while AC's bloated fares are insulting.


I use the TG lounge when flying AC. It's sort of depressing with uninspiring food options, but being in the TG lounge brings bck happy memories of when TG was a world class airline. Haven't been in the Red Stain lounge lately as I detest all things United and the type of passenger UA attracts is not what I want to be around before a long flight. CX lounge was ok but I wasn't wowed. (I was probably in the lower end lounge because I know that some people rave about the CX lounge.)

jsfrSE

Ron,
I fly monthly to Hong Kong on both airlines.
Book CX the service is impeccable and their business class seat pod is superior to the current AC business class.
You won't be disappointed.

jsfrSE

Agreed 100% ^

djjaguar64

And the lounges in HKG, my oh my, I am at a loss of word, just perfect!!

YYZMIAZRH

CX all the way!
done AC once (client booked) and twice on CX (I paid).
as everyone said, the planes are much cleaner, the service usually better (more professional) and the 1am timing is actually great for sleeping and arriving in HK ready for business.
The only area I disagree with everyone is the food, personally I feel that the food on CX is subpar and seems to get worse every year (no better or worse than AC) I checked the CX boards and nice to know I am not the only one.
However couple most positives with the CX lounges in HK and the fact that CX is usually always cheaper than AC makes it a no brainer in my book. AC really doesn't seem to want to compete on the HK route it seems.

EnvoyBoy

It's the small things but on the two CX flights I've flown, each FA seems to have managed to memorize the name of all the pax, at least in her aisle of the cabin. When going up to use the washroom, FAs still addressed me by name with no paper or notes, etc. Lovely, lovely service. And an excellent seat, particularly if you can get in the mini-cabin up front. Food is no better or worse than AC but the wines and alcohol are. CX, CX, CX.

cairo604

The more I see the comments on this thread the more I think... have I been so blind by loyalty to AC and lived with the 777HD and the crappy service?

djjaguar64

There is always time to be redeemed.

mkjr

cX cheaper than ac is a NO BRAINER. I'd even pay more to fly them. But people need their aeropesos.

mkjr

AC survives because of this blind loyalty.

FlyerGoldII

If I had to choose, I would reluctantly have to choose AC.

I barely make SE status each year, so if the flights to HKG were the last flights putting me over the threshold, I would book AC over CX - even though I would guess that the CX experience is much better than the AC experience. My preference for AC would be even higher next year (even though with great reluctance) because of the AQD situation.

119394

Thanks for all the inputs, lot of useful information and insights. You guys are great!

Funny that the first comment my wife made when I mentioned CX was that "but there is no aeroplan points!"

For some (myself included) it is hard to change their "habit". I guess it is time for me to think outside the box to exercise all options!

ac777

This is why AC will be raising their prices next year. The AQD requirement was a prelude to the price increase....especially the latitude and business class fares. Just my 2c worth.We should have the ability to try CX and not be bound to AC just for the status the benefits of which is becoming more an illusion than reality