Cathay Pacific Asia Miles - More cost cutting and decline in service observed

Just flew CX831 in J and my GF opped-up to F cabin. This is about it for the good news.

Cost cutting observations:

1) The taps in all toilets were out of water with 4 hours remaining in the flight. Today's flight was earlier as we arrived in HKG around 1840.

2) All F & J passengers were limited to one personal bottle of Crystal Geyser mineral water. My GF asked for another bottle in F, and guess what the ISM did, she took her empty bottle and filled it up with water from the 1 liter bottles. For god's sake this is First class!

3) Both the First and Biz class menu offerings are 60% identical (I have copies of both menus) Two lunch entrees are exactly the same, the snacks are exactly the same, and two dinner entrees are exactly the same.

Is CX so cheap and cost cutting to the point that they can't load extra bottles of water and fill up their water tank for the tap?


Service:

This flight was absolutely weakest link of my JL/BA/CX RTW DONE3.

I let my girlfriend to take the op-up in F as she had some minor back pain, so she could sleep more comfortably. I went up to F to check up on her *once only* for 5 minutes, and this was done in absolute silence and discreetly as she sat in 2K. The ISM immediately asked me to leave the F cabin citing "to maintain privacy". So instead she had to walk back down to J to see me.

Service in J was mechanical and spotty. No one was addressed by their last names.

Lastly, only two out of four of our luggage were tagged with Priority, so it took 25 minutes to reclaim everything.

Just flew CX831 in J and my GF opped-up to F cabin. This is about it for the good news.

Cost cutting observations:

1) The taps in all toilets were out of water with 4 hours remaining in the flight. Today's flight was earlier as we arrived in HKG around 1840.

2) All F & J passengers were limited to one personal bottle of Crystal Geyser mineral water. My GF asked for another bottle in F, and guess what the ISM did, she took her empty bottle and filled it up with water from the 1 liter bottles. For god's sake this is First class!

3) Both the First and Biz class menu offerings are 60% identical (I have copies of both menus) Two lunch entrees are exactly the same, the snacks are exactly the same, and two dinner entrees are exactly the same.

Is CX so cheap and cost cutting to the point that they can't load extra bottles of water and fill up their water tank for the tap?


Service:

This flight was absolutely weakest link of my JL/BA/CX RTW DONE3.

I let my girlfriend to take the op-up in F as she had some minor back pain, so she could sleep more comfortably. I went up to F to check up on her *once only* for 5 minutes, and this was done in absolute silence and discreetly as she sat in 2K. The ISM immediately asked me to leave the F cabin citing "to maintain privacy". So instead she had to walk back down to J to see me.

Service in J was mechanical and spotty. No one was addressed by their last names.

Lastly, only two out of four of our luggage were tagged with Priority, so it took 25 minutes to reclaim everything.

Feel sorry for your experience:( I have never been on F, however even in J, I had unlimited supply(or not? I just asked for 2) of mineral water.And about the "taps in all toilets were out of water with 4 hours remaining in the flight"? Thats terrible!I have never flown HKG-JFK, however a friend of mine just took Y on this route 2 months ago and did not have any criticism about the toilet. Now that you mention these problems in F/J cabins, I can't imagine what the Y cabins would look like now:td:

Anyway, does CX have to cut cost like this? Is it really doing that bad? I think their income must at least be better than 2008 a lot. CX is continuously downgrading its service.I hope this stops immediately:(

Feel sorry for your experience:( I have never been on F, however even in J, I had unlimited supply(or not? I just asked for 2) of mineral water.And about the "taps in all toilets were out of water with 4 hours remaining in the flight"? Thats terrible!I have never flown HKG-JFK, however a friend of mine just took Y on this route 2 months ago and did not have any criticism about the toilet. Now that you mention these problems in F/J cabins, I can't imagine what the Y cabins would look like now:td:

Anyway, does CX have to cut cost like this? Is it really doing that bad? I think their income must at least be better than 2008 a lot. CX is continuously downgrading its service.I hope this stops immediately:(

On my previous J CX831 experience on April 2009, there were many bottles of water stocked, the FAs were liberally handing them out. This flight however, the FAs were quite stingy with all beverages, only the preflight cocktail plus two rounds served with the meals, with absolutely nothing in between.

I usually fly the JFK-HKG direct route 2-3 times a year, since day 1 of the launch in July 2004 (I was on the inaugural flight and I have the certificate!) and this is the first time I've experienced running out of tap water. In fact, this is the first time ever on *any* aircraft I've flown.

You should absolutely contact CX with a polite letter about your experience on this flight and report back with their response. I would be very surprised if you did not get some decent miles or vouchers by way of apology.

It seems like an usually bad flight rather than any kind of general cost-cutting.

You should absolutely contact CX with a polite letter about your experience on this flight and report back with their response. I would be very surprised if you did not get some decent miles or vouchers by way of apology.

It seems like an usually bad flight rather than any kind of general cost-cutting.

Will definitely write to them but the main point is not asking for miles or compensation, I just want them to know their general decline in service and cost-cutting measures will be hurting them financially. 10K points wouldn't induce me to fly more with CX for me as it is an overall failure of the product witnessed over a period of time and from different routes.

And I really think the CX F product is seriously overhyped. I don't consider a trapezoid flatbed a true flatbed; by adding two slices of balik salmon and a teaspoon of ordinary caviar to a J-class meal and calling it a F meal is simply pathetic. I think I had enough Balik Salmon during my breakfasts at Park Hyatt Paris Vendome to supply the JFK-HKG route for a week, and it was included in my complimentary breakfast.

BTW, JAL Mileage Bank's FFP system is even faster than CX's MPC system, I had my miles posted on my JMB account at 9pm (flight arrived around 7pm). Still no sign of miles on my GF's MPC account.

3) Both the First and Biz class menu offerings are 60% identical (I have copies of both menus) Two lunch entrees are exactly the same, the snacks are exactly the same, and two dinner entrees are exactly the same.

This seems not unusual. Most main courses are the same for J and F on many ex-LHR flights I've taken, even before the cost cutting starts.

This seems not unusual. Most main courses are the same for J and F on many ex-LHR flights I've taken, even before the cost cutting starts.

JL First offerings:
http://www.jal.co.jp/en/inflight/inter/mebaekai/first/
http://www.jal.co.jp/en/inflight/inter/escoffier/first/

JL Business offerings:
http://www.jal.co.jp/en/inflight/inter/mebaekai/executive/
http://www.jal.co.jp/en/inflight/inter/escoffier/executive/

Is there anyway I can post the scanned JPEG images of CX F & J menus so we can all play "connect the dots and find the matching pair" :td:

No offense, but this doesn't sound that bad.

1.) Water in washroom: agree this sucks, but I doubt it's a cost-cutting conspiracy. Probably more like a mistake.
2.) I don't see an issue with re-filling the water bottle, I've had them do it for me before as well. Maybe the plane wasn't stocked properly that day, or maybe the FA thought she was being environmentally friendly. But either way I also don't think this is a cost-cutting conspiracy, probably just a mistake loading the plane I got 3 water bottles in F (which was totally full, as well as J) last week.
3.) Food is definitely not a strong suit for CX, but again I don't see this as the end of the world - I was just on F in BA a few days ago, and was reminded that menu offerings are simply more spartan than they were 2 years ago. Oh well. Sign of the times. Personal opinion here, but at the end of the day it is still airplane food regardless and I'm never really big on the main courses, F or not.

Re: hanging out in F w/o a ticket, I'm 100% opposed to that. Go back to J and see them there. Lights are on longer in J and it's louder. Many people have paid a lot (or redeemed a lot of of miles) to have a more exclusive/quiet/peaceful experience in F, and it always bugs me when someone tries to come in the cabin. Trust me, I've seen it happen a handful of times and each time the person who does it is completely convinced they should be allowed to say hi, hang out for a minute or two, check up on someone, whatever, and without fail the FAs always send people back promptly. I appreciate it that they do.

Re: hanging out in F w/o a ticket, I'm 100% opposed to that. Go back to J and see them there. Lights are on longer in J and it's louder. Many people have paid a lot (or redeemed a lot of of miles) to have a more exclusive/quiet/peaceful experience in F, and it always bugs me when someone tries to come in the cabin. Trust me, I've seen it happen a handful of times and each time the person who does it is completely convinced they should be allowed to say hi, hang out for a minute or two, check up on someone, whatever, and without fail the FAs always send people back promptly. I appreciate it that they do.

I agree. If for any reason a person does need to see your friend in F, ask the SP first. Hanging out there for five minutes was too long. Would OP be able to refrain from talking with his girlfriend being there ("absolute silence") for five minutes?

I think the last thing paying F pax want is other pax coming up to visit. In fact there have been lots of posts of pax complaining about too much traffic from FAs.

I wouldn't have a problem with my water bottle being refilled, but it also seems like an off crew.

I think the last thing paying F pax want is other pax coming up to visit. In fact there have been lots of posts of pax complaining about too much traffic from FAs.

I wouldn't have a problem with my water bottle being refilled, but it also seems like an off crew.

When I am in F I too dislike other pax coming in and out.

Agree that "off crews" do exist. I had one on the PVG HKG route last week. Had to ask for them to hang up my jacket, and ask for it back on landing. Same as the lady sitting next to me. And when they brought her jacket back, it was mine.

I'm afraid i agree with the thought that the flight experience doesn't seem too bad. (From an objective perspective - I appreciate subjectively you may not be too pleased.)

The bottle of water - yes I've had that happen to me too (refilling) - I actually prefer it - far more environmentally friendly.

As for visiting First class - I agree that F should visit J - not the other way around. There is a sign that says 'First Class Only' at the divider.

BA allows a visitor into First for a drink. I don't like that.

The water running out is not good. Was that just in the J or F lavatories? Seems more of a mistake rather than cost.

Sorry.

Regards

lme ff

I'm afraid i agree with the thought that the flight experience doesn't seem too bad. (From an objective perspective - I appreciate subjectively you may not be too pleased.)

The bottle of water - yes I've had that happen to me too (refilling) - I actually prefer it - far more environmentally friendly.

As for visiting First class - I agree that F should visit J - not the other way around. There is a sign that says 'First Class Only' at the divider.

BA allows a visitor into First for a drink. I don't like that.

The water running out is not good. Was that just in the J or F lavatories? Seems more of a mistake rather than cost.

Sorry.

Regards

lme ff

Water Bottle issue: Use a funnel to refill, or fill it in a glass. It is unhygenic to refill "bottle-to-bottle". Do you want a drink from a 1L bottle that has touched few other people's personal bottles - especially when some people tend to bite or suck on bottle openings?

Tap Water issue: No water throughout the plane. Not exactly good during H1N1 times as germs are spread thru unwashed hands.

First Class Visit: I hate to start this since it would open up alot of issues, but seriously, what gives the right of F pax to visit J then? Also, there is a possible social class/racial discrimination issue here.

Please search the forum, there are numerous examples: couples in J asking their Southeast-Asian nannies to come up from Y to help with their screaming children, thats OK. Couples pairs seperated in F/J, completely ok to go to F for a visit. Parents and children split in two classes? OK to visit. These examples seems to be valid reasons when the paxs concerned are of a certain nationality or race.

Average HK Chinese joe dressed in an A&F t-shirt and sneakers (me) taking a very short visit with their travel companion in F class? no, sorry cant do. I regret not wearing my Kiton suit packed in my luggage.

Based on some of the comments here, does that mean next time I shall ask the FAs to kick out nannies or children crossing cabin curtains? Or kick out someone from F heading down to J or Y since he/she is literally not in their paid cabin?

Eh? I feel you may have a rather large chip on your shoulder. Every time I've seen it mentioned here the consensus has been that no-one from J/Y is allowed in F, but that people may move freely into lower classes than those they are travelling in.

And on the water bottle issue, to me your comment demonstrates a high level of neurosis - the risk of catching any infection in the way you describe is minuscule. By far the best way for "germs" to spread in a plane is through the air you breath. Do you carry your own personal air supply and mask?

Please search the forum, there are numerous examples: couples in J asking their Southeast-Asian nannies to come up from Y to help with their screaming children, thats OK. Couples pairs seperated in F/J, completely ok to go to F for a visit. Parents and children split in two classes? OK to visit. These examples seems to be valid reasons when the paxs concerned are of a certain nationality or race.

Based on some of the comments here, does that mean next time I shall ask the FAs to kick out nannies or children crossing cabin curtains? Or kick out someone from F heading down to J or Y since he/she is literally not in their paid cabin?

Maybe it's my flying patterns, but on CX I don't really recall situations you mentioned above or rather the F/J cabin crew are usually quite strict and prompt in politely ushering passengers back to their (I assume lower) cabin class.

What happens more frequently (and can sometimes be annoying) are passengers from Y using the F/J toilets especially after the last meal service prior to landing on a long haul.

Will definitely write to them but the main point is not asking for miles or compensation, I just want them to know their general decline in service and cost-cutting measures will be hurting them financially. 10K points wouldn't induce me to fly more with CX for me as it is an overall failure of the product witnessed over a period of time and from different routes.

And I really think the CX F product is seriously overhyped. I don't consider a trapezoid flatbed a true flatbed; by adding two slices of balik salmon and a teaspoon of ordinary caviar to a J-class meal and calling it a F meal is simply pathetic. I think I had enough Balik Salmon during my breakfasts at Park Hyatt Paris Vendome to supply the JFK-HKG route for a week, and it was included in my complimentary breakfast.

BTW, JAL Mileage Bank's FFP system is even faster than CX's MPC system, I had my miles posted on my JMB account at 9pm (flight arrived around 7pm). Still no sign of miles on my GF's MPC account.


So how often do you fly F or C on CX ? and just because CX does not post your miles within minutes of you getting off the plane you class this as a reduction in service. I can only recceomnd you try flying F with some other airlines to realise how good CX really is

I don't care what you look like, where you're from, what sex you are, it annoys me period when anyone comes up from Y into J, or J into F. People in the class above paid MORE for the seat, and someone who pays LESS being allowed to access it degrades the value of the class above. This is not a difficult concept.

Have you ever been to a sporting event, a concert, or any other venue where people are segregated by the COST of the ticket? You're trying to make this sound more ominous than it is. At a sporting event the luxury box crowd certainly can walk downstairs and buy a hotdog in the regular section if they want, but it would be ridiculous to allow the 50,000 fans who only paid for regular tickets into the luxury box to "visit" friends, check out the view, sip some wine, etc. Same thing with F. If an F pax really wants a Y meal, he should be allowed to have it. If a Y pax wants caviar, they should not. And it's not personal against you - I can't stand it when people are bringing up nannies (which, fyi when I've seen this before they were promptly removed as well), husbands, kids, whatever. If it's SO important to have those chats, drinks, catch-up conversations, look at the suites, whatever, either BUY the same class or deny yourself the op-up.

People reinforce this common sense idea all the time. Many times I've had a J seat but a colleague/friend was in Y. And without fail, every single time, the person sitting in the Y seat next to my friend/colleague has happily accepted my J seat in exchange for me taking his Y one. It is common sense. Everyone on the plane recognizes that there is higher value in the class above, and that class - including all of its rights, meaning food, seat, drinks, ambiance, atmosphere, better service, magazine selection, etc. etc. etc - is not and SHOULD NOT be available to you unless you pay more (via $$$, miles, high status so greater chance of op-up, etc.) and get a boarding pass that gives you the right to access that section. If you really have a problem with this, you can always voluntarily downgrade yourself by swapping seats.

I can only recommend you try flying F with some other airlines to realise how good CX really is

+1.

If you call this class discrimination, there are plenty of cases, even at the airport:
* F lounge/J lounge;
* Premium boarding;
* F/J/MPC check-in...
It is always the case almost everywhere on Earth.

The problem is that everyone likes to take a look, dine and talk in the F cabin. They may even stay in the F cabin, but most F passengers will not stay in J. The crew cannot let one person in but not others. Soon there are more visitors than F passengers. F cabin is very small and paid passengers do not like traffic.

If there is a good reason, the crew will normally allow a brief visit. If you need something from your girlfriend, ask the SP.

BTW, just in case both of you like to try out the F suite on a flight - the SPs will not likely let that happen. A F passenger and a J passenger should not swap seats on flight. It should be done when you board.

When you book an F ticket you aren't just getting a seat and a meal, you are getting personal space and a relative degree of privacy.

I'm well aware of the fact that people paid premiums to enjoy extra comfort and amenities and privacy and I totally respect that (even I do). People who jumps clases (including coming down from the upper cabin) and then sits in a cabin for a prolonged period, obviously to enjoy the amenities and comfort without paying, or causing any sign of discomfort or annoyance to others should be definitely shooed away, and I'm definitely not that type.

As for flying F and J, I have flown AA, BA, CX, JL, KA and SQ F and J as of my YTD 2009 travels. In fact this is my first time ever in my flying history to cross cabins into a higher class, actually with great reluctance and intended to limit to a short stay of a few minutes to visit my companion. The FA knows we are on a same itinerary under invol ug unless she doesnt read her manifest.

As for some FTers who responded sharply on this thread, I hope you dont sit your nannies or kids in the lower class and having them to cross cabins inflight to see you or assist you, since that would be a major slap in your own face.

And on the water bottle issue, to me your comment demonstrates a high level of neurosis - the risk of catching any infection in the way you describe is minuscule. By far the best way for "germs" to spread in a plane is through the air you breath. Do you carry your own personal air supply and mask?

The actual empirical risk of germs spreading is one thing. What you're suggesting in terms of risk is, we can all drink from a communal bottle, and CX can shave off cups and glasses on their flights? Would you like to see your neibourhood's convenience store selling refilled water bottles?

If you call this class discrimination, there are plenty of cases, even at the airport:
* F lounge/J lounge;
* Premium boarding;
* F/J/MPC check-in...
It is always the case almost everywhere on Earth.

The problem is that everyone likes to take a look, dine and talk in the F cabin. They may even stay in the F cabin, but most F passengers will not stay in J. The crew cannot let one person in but not others. Soon there are more visitors than F passengers. F cabin is very small and paid passengers do not like traffic.

If there is a good reason, the crew will normally allow a brief visit. If you need something from your girlfriend, ask the SP.

BTW, just in case both of you like to try out the F suite on a flight - the SPs will not likely let that happen. A F passenger and a J passenger should not swap seats on flight. It should be done when you board.

Class discrimination doesnt mean the actual fare classes and we are not flying Iranian air carriers (otherwise this topic woudnt exist). It is meant that certain people are allowed to cross cabins since they are subordinate to the pax sitting up front.

As for swapping seats inflight, I told ground staff at Check-in to reprint the F BP in her name. I don't even want to burden the FAs that "I'm Mr X and I'm swapping seats with Miss Y from business class."

Also the reason for a brief visit again is not for sightseeing, its just seeing if my companion is doing ok.. similar to what you do in a "patient visit". I didnt sprawl out on the F seat, I was barely sitting on the ottoman in an uncomfortable position that even a Y seat feels like luxury, nor did I ask for any sort of service. These are tell-tale signs that I do not intend to make myself comfortable or remain here for a long time.

When I am in F I too dislike other pax coming in and out.

Agree that "off crews" do exist. I had one on the PVG HKG route last week. Had to ask for them to hang up my jacket, and ask for it back on landing. Same as the lady sitting next to me. And when they brought her jacket back, it was mine.

SSW207,

You got op-up to F for being nobody (JL Sapphire) holding a cheap RTW, and you are .....ing about how "poorly" you were being treated? If you wanted to sit with your GF, you could have rejected the offer.

KACommuter,

Were you on CX369 last Friday when a fat dude in shorts actually told the "lady" to stop complaining, get a business class ticket next time, and get the f out of his way?

KACommuter,

Were you on CX369 last Friday when a fat dude in shorts actually told the "lady" to stop complaining, get a business class ticket next time, and get the f out of his way?

I was on CX369 last Friday, but didn't get to see this charming episode.

Class discrimination doesnt mean the actual fare classes and we are not flying Iranian air carriers (otherwise this topic woudnt exist). It is meant that certain people are allowed to cross cabins since they are subordinate to the pax sitting up front.

As for swapping seats inflight, I told ground staff at Check-in to reprint the F BP in her name. I don't even want to burden the FAs that "I'm Mr X and I'm swapping seats with Miss Y from business class."

Also the reason for a brief visit again is not for sightseeing, its just seeing if my companion is doing ok.. similar to what you do in a "patient visit". I didnt sprawl out on the F seat, I was barely sitting on the ottoman in an uncomfortable position that even a Y seat feels like luxury, nor did I ask for any sort of service. These are tell-tale signs that I do not intend to make myself comfortable or remain here for a long time.

Sorry dude, the class are separated for a reason: privacy. Many people up there pay good money for that, and they deserve what they pay for. If you can't accept that then either get 2 tickets in the same premium classes or don't. Do not whine about the rules when they are being enforced.

SSW207,

You got op-up to F for being nobody (JL Sapphire) holding a cheap RTW, and you are .....ing about how "poorly" you were being treated? If you wanted to sit with your GF, you could have rejected the offer.



Firstly, a declaration of interest, iten is my friend and we always have heated discussions on JL vs CX as we are staunch supporters of the respective airline and programs, online and offline.

As for "JL OW Sapphire being a nobody on CX", that would be an overstatement as airline alliances are based on mutual recognition. I do agree there should be priority preference with the airline's own in-house Frequent Flyers, then extend the recognition to other aliiance members FFs.

As for RTWs being "cheap", you have offended I think 70% of the population here in FT my friend, as lots of FTers reach their premier status thru mileage runs and RTWs.

Sorry dude, the class are separated for a reason: privacy. Many people up there pay good money for that, and they deserve what they pay for. If you can't accept that then either get 2 tickets in the same premium classes or don't. Do not whine about the rules when they are being enforced.

I think the message I've been telling all along here is, it is absolutely correct to enforce free-riders or troublemakers crossing classes. But there exists some flexibility in class-crossing on all airlines, which are well documented on other FT posts, and how the airlines exercises this enforcement. What I am "whining about" is CX's subjectiveness of the enforcement, and there exists some sort of inconsistency or favor on certain groups of people on how this is exercised. Here's some scenarios:

- Parents with children/nannies in lower class
- Class-crossing cases involving Invitation or Diamond Members or VIPs (e.g. an INV J-pax walking into F? This would be a classic "Do you know who I am" case)
- Family members in different classes

I would not have "whined" if the FA asked me my cause of visiting and exercise her enforcement accordingly after knowing the reason. In my case, when the FA asked me to leave, I did so expeditedly to avoid disruption to either F or J class paxs.

I have witnessed on JFK-HKG flights, someone sneaking up from Y to J, making themselves comfortable and setting up the AVOD etc. for a good hour or so, until the FA discovered and kicked him out, but even under this case, the FA asked questions for the cause of removal thoroughly. His reply was "I'm waiting for the restroom" (also in J) which was nonsense. From my example, do I fall into this "free-riding" category? I'll let you guys be the judge as I'm not gonna comment further, as I think FT is a good discussion platform for matters like these.

Or to the extreme, TSA/Homeland Security would love to impose class-crossing restrictions for anyone. Heck they even tried to ban us from lining up for the lavatories. As FTers would we like to see this sort of enforcement?

So how often do you fly F or C on CX ? and just because CX does not post your miles within minutes of you getting off the plane you class this as a reduction in service. I can only recceomnd you try flying F with some other airlines to realise how good CX really is

My first CX J flight was in 1988, YVR-HKG, when I was 9, as an UM, when the slogan was "Arrive in better shape". So I think I'm quite qualified to comment on the service levels throughout the years.

What I am "whining about" is CX's subjectiveness of the enforcement, and there exists some sort of inconsistency or favor on certain groups of people on how this is exercised. Here's some scenarios:

- Parents with children/nannies in lower class
- Class-crossing cases involving Invitation or Diamond Members or VIPs (e.g. an INV J-pax walking into F? This would be a classic "Do you know who I am" case)
- Family members in different classes

Nannies helping out in J should not have happened. The parents should take care od the baby, just like any other parents. Perhaps the FAs saw the need and allow it, but I believe they talked to the crew first.

DMs walking to F - I don't know about that. How can you tell they are DMs? I only crossed from Y to J twice. One time I asked the FP as I need to get travel document for the immigration/custom paper work. The other time I was waiting for the bathroom in front of 30ABC (a 744) and the FP invited me to use the J bathroom instead.

Family members in different classes - again no-no - always F-> J, or J->Y. I am not aware of FA letting that happen unless there is a very good reason. They can notify the family member in the premium cabin to see you.

Unlike a few other FF programmes, MPC DMs know their limitations and do not ask for extra. They may be offered something by the crew, but that is a different situation.

Firstly, a declaration of interest, iten is my friend and we always have heated discussions on JL vs CX as we are staunch supporters of the respective airline and programs, online and offline.

As for "JL OW Sapphire being a nobody on CX", that would be an overstatement as airline alliances are based on mutual recognition. I do agree there should be priority preference with the airline's own in-house Frequent Flyers, then extend the recognition to other aliiance members FFs.

As for RTWs being "cheap", you have offended I think 70% of the population here in FT my friend, as lots of FTers reach their premier status thru mileage runs and RTWs.

First, I didn't know I am friends with any cheap guy...hahahaha

You maybe right if you are travelling on Star-Alliance. For OneWorld, premium status from a partnering airline means nothing more than lounge access and piority check in (you don't even get priority baggage tag, extra baggage allowance, and sometimes they will even deny you of piority boarding). So a JL SP is just slightly better than a MPO Green.

I didn't say people using RTW tickets are cheap. What I meant is that you are paying less than half of what a full fare or a slightly discounted J ticket holder are paying for their flights.

FYI...they have a poll on the FT front page about RTW...Almost 70% of those who voted have not been on a RTW trip before.

To the OP: did you mail CX about your experience and/or receive any response yet? I am very curious mainly about their explanation for the lack of running water.

I take CX regional J at least once a week and I just got back from a longhaul J flight on JL. I have discussed the experience in another thread but seriously, overall CX beats JL in J by a fair margin. Maybe BA have improved considerably since the last time I flew with them 6 or 7 years ago but they would be my last choice out of your trio. I would probably not choose JL over CX again even with a deeply discounted ticket.

I guess the problem (?) with respect to your comments is that CX has an oustanding, good value J product and maybe sees this as more valuable to their bottom line than trying to compete with SG etc. in First.

[Mod Hat on]
There is too much bickering here on who is right and what policy should CX have taken etc etc and not about why there is cost cutting on flights.

Sorry, its getting personal here and its time for this to cease before it gets really personal.

Either get back to the tribulations of CX's inflight services and cost cutting or else see this thread go the way of the do-do bird soon.

FYI to the OP: I agree to all said here. J pax should not be allowed to visit someone in F. F should take the trip down. Or else ask the Purser if its ok to ask said F passenger to come and see you. If your GF ignored you , then maybe she is enjoying herself too much to care about anything else.

Guy Betsy
Cathay Pacific Asiamiles forum moderator

[Mod Hat off]
Only time I know of someone who was allowed 'upfront' while on a Y ticket was on SQ last month when my very ill cousin (P)was flying from LHR to SIN. She was in J but her sister (S) was in Y , just a few rows back from the J cabin. She had to continually go up to check on her sister and help move her and get comfortable for the 15 hour flight. Eventually the Inflight Supervisor made the decision to allow her to sit next to her sister and take care of her for the rest of the flight. But she decisions are made descretely and without fanfare for such cases, and is not always a given.

Anyway, my cousin (S)flew back to London last week with her sister (P) in her arms, this time in economy, and in one seat only. My cousin, P, rests in an urn.

Guy, sorry to hear about your cousin. What a terrible trip that must have been.

If your GF ignored you...

... maybe it's time for a new GF.

... maybe it's time for a new GF.

Or having a few GFs, but they must be dispersed in F J & Y for personal safety reasons... and I do hope cabin crossing is strictly enforced to avoid them bumping into each other :D

Anyways will let you guys know about the water issue.

Or having a few GFs, but they must be dispersed in F J & Y for personal safety reasons... and I do hope cabin crossing is strictly enforced to avoid them bumping into each other :D

Anyways will let you guys know about the water issue.

Haha... cabin crossing is unidirectionally enforced. So they can bump into each other in Y.:D

I hope your GF is not a FTer, or you may have to look for other GFs.:D