Trip Reports - JAL versus CX First Class

I just got back from a trip to the Maldives and had the opportunity to fly Cathay Pacific outbound and JAL inbound over the Pacific from SFO in First Class. There was quite a difference. Cathay's new bed suite is wonderful. The tray table is more like a large desktop. I had room to use my laptop and "dine" at the same time. My companion was able to be next to me and we had middle seats with privacy screens up on both aisles where as on JAL we had to request row 1 or else we couldn't be next to each other. CX--food was served from the cart and much more elegant. JAL gave excellent service and the food was delicious but not the elegance or flair of CX. Cathay offers more....JAL waits for you to ask for things like pajamas, amemity kits, etc. and the JAL interior was drab. The ventilation on the CX AIRBUS 340 was very stuffy--my only complaint. The JAL 744 was well ventilated. If there was no price diff Id choose CX next time.

I dream of a bed suite on CX. Great trip!

Thank you so much! I fly Cathay-F in 2 months, but have always wanted to fly JAL-F/C. I am considering taking my future wife to Bali on JAL, in Business. No First within Asia save HK. This is dissapointing. What about the JAL lounges?

I am surprised that JAL was like that. I have flown JAL economy from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur on an MD-11. The crew were friendly, but their English was almost non-existant. Questions I had went unanswered. Whatever, it is a 40 minute flight with a small orange juice served.

I hope that things were better for such a long flight. Would you consider doing a trip report? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif thanks.

------------------
Michael
AA PLT,1 MLN Miles+
HH GLD, SCI GLD, MM SIL
LE PRESIDENT ETERNEL DE CAMAIR-CAMEROUN AIRLINES :)

Woo hoo! I'm glad to hear the positive feedback as I'm on CX in F SFO-HKG-DPS tonight!

(And I definitely WILL have a full trip report....) http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Do CX have F on HKG-DPS?

(How many abreviations can I get in the one question?)

Stephen

Techgirl,

I've done trans-Pacific up front on CX and I had only one complaint.

The Stolichnaya they served with the caviar wasn't cold enough.

Enjoy!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by sjharte:
Do CX have F on HKG-DPS?
</font>
HKG-DPS is C only but some flights operate with 3-class aircraft (sold as 2 class). Given the prices at the very high-end resorts I would have expected demand for F (now provided by SQ but not CX).

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">CX--food was served from the cart and much more elegant. </font>

My only question is... what cart?

I recently flew on CX transpac First YYZ-HKG and don't recall a cart being used.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by techgirl:
Woo hoo! I'm glad to hear the positive feedback as I'm on CX in F SFO-HKG-DPS tonight!

(And I definitely WILL have a full trip report....) http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif</font>


Be prepared to get spoiled like you can't even imagine. CX crews just cannot do enough for you... the service level can be a bit disconcerting at first but there's nothing they won't do (within reason of course) for you. Also, the sleep suits are VERY comfy. I saw several westerners who looked at them as though they were alien artifacts and left them unused... don't make that mistake. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif If you like 'em, the FAs will most likely only be too happy to give you an extra if they're not too full.

I'm only comparing the "F" portion transpacific here. I flew in "C" class on both airlines within Asia and would say they are both equal.

Antone

Thanks for your report. I'm doing CX in 1st to HKG & SYD in July, can't wait.

I think that Cathay is worth it for the Wing alone. I sent this to some friends and one who visits Japan all the time said the JAL lounges at Osaka-Kansai are nice.

If CX really impresses me, will just take them to Bali. It is unfortunate that they don't do First within Asia. Kills the desire to do a full award in First.

CX has First within Asia. I've flown HKG-MNL and vice versa in First on the 744 and A343.

Despite only being a 2 hour trip, it's still quite nice.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Worldtraveler36:
I think that Cathay is worth it for the Wing alone. I sent this to some friends and one who visits Japan all the time said the JAL lounges at Osaka-Kansai are nice.

If CX really impresses me, will just take them to Bali. It is unfortunate that they don't do First within Asia. Kills the desire to do a full award in First. </font>

CX does do First within Asia, but not to destinations like Bali although you may find 3-class aircraft like a 747 sold as 3-class.

There's definitely CX First between NRT/HKG/TPE.

Also, I've seen the JAL Sakura Lounge in Osaka Kansai Int'l airport. No comparison to the Wing [although I didn't see the FC section of that lounge].

Interesting. I have done a perousal of CX and JAL flights with First within (East) Asia. NRT, sure, that is too out of the way to go to HKG then back up to NRT... ugh http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Then only one flight to Bangkok and then Singapore. Have looked at doing that one. I will tell you that what CX requires for First to Asia, it is just a bit more to the South Pacific or South Africa. Their award to SA is probably one of the best deals out there.

I wish that CX would do First to Bahrain/Dubai.

As for JAL, I have only seen NRT-HKG, they need to do First to Singapore, etc. JAL seems to fly a bunch of 2 class MD-11's within Asia, though I do hear wonderful things about JAL's service up front.

Thanks for the info.

You're right about the low mileage levels required for a ticket to Africa on CX. I'll share the best deal yet.... Diner's Club for the past two years has been offering double British Air miles and CX is a partner, so I booked an open jaw in first class SFO-CMB (Colombo, Sri Lanka which the HKG-CMB leg is "J" class) and the return JNB-HKG-SFO. My return is good for a year and stopovers are allowed in HKG in both directions. The total mileage required is 140,000 which because they were transferred Diners Club points only cost me 70,000 real points.

I bought a RT First Class ticket in CMB CMB-BKK-NRT-SFO-SEA using JAL over the Pacific for $2300RT (CI,OZ,KE are even cheaper) and will fly back next year. Stopovers are only allowed in SFO and SEA and the other cities can be transfer points for less than 24 hours. A first class OW from CMB to JNB is around $800. So, for about $3100 and 70,000 miles I got two vacations....a first class SFO-CMB and first class SFO-JNB.On my return SFO-CMB JAL is paying for my overnight connection in SIN and we fly "P" class from SIN-CMB.

Sri Lanka BTW is a great vacation spot and the Maldives ($170RT from CMB) has some of the best scuba in the world. First Class Air fares originating in CMB are great deals and a well kept secret for many.

Antone

-SFOFLYER

I am so impressed... You are a stud!
Do you have more tricks? I think we can all learn from you. Amazing how cheap those tickets are... cool!

I flew JAL First about 15 years ago and I was not impressed.

Mmmmm isn't Sri Lanka a bit dangerous? A year ago they blew up 1/2 the Air Lanka fleet.

So how where the Maldives? Did you like it? Is it worth going there?

JL's best F is on JFK-NRT in terms of 'equipment.'

CMB is a city that offers cheap J, F tickets on CX and SQ as well. With prices out of BKK rising (UA is shortly downgrading fare classes), the best 'air fare' city appears to be moving westward again from HKG to BkK and to CMB.

A civil war has been going on there for quite some time and yes, last year, the airport was attacked and civilian flights were temporarily cancelled, prompting CX to fly 747 thereafter to load all the passengers left out in the fall. But otherwise I guess, it is a manageable place, logistically, to get air tickets.

It's more than "manageable" it's a beautiful country and a great vacation spot. There was alot of security at the airport and some road "checkpoints" but we never felt unsafe. You can buy the tickets in the United States for travel out of Colombo although I use an agent in CMB. They'll deliver tickets anywhere. SriLankan Airlines has partnered with Emirates after the big airport attack last summer and their fleet is young and well run.

The Maldives are beautiful and a great place for diving and just relaxing. Some of the best resorts are the Banyan Tree, Four Seasons, and Sonevafushi. It's expensive and I like to balance the trip with a week or more in SriLanka where there's culture and it's about one third the price. The Saman Villas in Bentota reminded me of what Waikiki must have looked like 75 years ago.

Colombo is also a great place for taking side trips to India.

We loved not having to wear shoes at the resorts even in the fine restaurants at dinner

antone

What about the new JAL in F?

Also, JAL has a new lounge:

JAL has opened a new lounge facility -- the Sakura Lounge Annex -- on the fourth floor of Narita Airport Terminal 2 for special category passengers. It features a British pub-style bar, bedrooms for tired transit travelers, massage services, a business corner equipped with broadband wireless access for free Internet connection, a library and a theater-style audio-visual lounge.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by nologic:
What about the new JAL in F?

Also, JAL has a new lounge:

JAL has opened a new lounge facility -- the Sakura Lounge Annex -- on the fourth floor of Narita Airport Terminal 2 for special category passengers. It features a British pub-style bar, bedrooms for tired transit travelers, massage services, a business corner equipped with broadband wireless access for free Internet connection, a library and a theater-style audio-visual lounge. </font>

What do they consider a special category passenger? Is it any premium pax or only JAL elites, etc???

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Plato90s:
CX does do First within Asia, but not to destinations like Bali although you may find 3-class aircraft like a 747 sold as 3-class.

There's definitely CX First between NRT/HKG/TPE.

</font>


Also to MNL - I am on it in 2 weeks

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by kanebear:
What do they consider a special category passenger? Is it any premium pax or only JAL elites, etc???</font>


JAL First and Executive Class -- Seasons (business class) passengers

JAL Economy Class passengers with full-fare tickets (some routes excepted)

JAL Global Club members

JAL Mileage Bank members holding 'Optimo' and 'Grande' service-category cards

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">
JAL First and Executive Class -- Seasons (business class) passengers

JAL Economy Class passengers with full-fare tickets (some routes excepted)

JAL Global Club members

JAL Mileage Bank members holding 'Optimo' and 'Grande' service-category cards

</font>

Which routes are excepted?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by B Watson:

Also to MNL - I am on it in 2 weeks</font>

MNL-HKG (CX900) two days ago was a wonderful miniature CX F experience. Within just 1:31 hours at lunch time, a full four-course menu was served. You cannot beat this short haul service.

I had a similar great flight from BKK to HKG!

Could go down as one of the best short flights (I think we had a thread on this).

Last Dec had a great RT on CX FC LAX-BKK with wonderful service. The food was a bit less quality, then I had anticipated. The cavier, champagne, tea, seat-bed were exceptional.

Will repeat the annual trip to BKK and topped off some old AA miles to do it again this DEC. But was considering JAL, if a few better Dates are available, but not critical. After reading this string, maybe CX is still the bomb (tops) as the kids would say. And yes, I enjoyed the WING very much. Makes travel more civilized and a treat for years of hard work.

I even considered BC on CX, because FC seemed a little too much service, which I did take advantage of as desired. I think that is their whole point of offering outstanding flights. Surprising how many people in FC preferred to sleep most of the way. Perhaps they are used to this kind of travel.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by R&R:
Surprising how many people in FC preferred to sleep most of the way. Perhaps they are used to this kind of travel.</font>Or perhaps they are working upon leaving the plane? And flying again the next day? That tends to be my schedule, which is why I pay for F instead of J -- I need to be able to sleep undisturbed on the plane and usually that is possible in F but not in J. While I rave about the food and wine on CX and sometimes other airlines, it isn't why I pay that kind of money. It is for the sleep (and jet lag avoidance by being able to stay on my own strange schedule).
As for the catering out of LAX, it is dodgy. Sometimes good but often below the quality of SFO and HKG (all airlines out of LAX seem to have this problem). Out of LAX the JL service is not competitive with SQ and CX due to poorer F cabin. JL does use nicer equipment for LHR-NRT-JFK and those flights do offer F service comparable to CX and SQ (though SQ has dropped a lot in quality during the past year).

That is one expensive nap! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

It would be nice to be able to fly easterly to BKK using those JAL services!

Otherwise, the wisdom and experience on this board speaks highly for CX!

Thanks