Cathay Pacific Asia Miles - CX 271 or CX 289 better for F?

The HKG-AMS flight (CX 271) is now operated with an Airbus 340 (with the new first class seats), and the HKG-FRA flight is operated by a 747-400.

Is there any differences as to meal services in first class between these flights (they depart about the same time from HKG).

Since I don't want to take the risk of having a last minute aircraft substitution for the HKG-AMS flight (A340) to an aircraft with the old first class seats, should I book CX 289 (747-400) to Frankfurt instead?
(and take the train to Amsterdam)

daniellam,

Unless you deem the train ride to AMS from FRA is much of a hassle, I would highly recommend you take 744 betsy seats over Airbus 340. I much much prefer the very front A zone section for their first class as the cabin exudes the sense of a private and secluded feeling. The gallery is placed way behind the first class cabin separated by the hallway and a noise-reducing curtain!

While Airbus betsy seats are just as comfortable and spaciously laid out, the only thing that separates the first class cabin and the business class cabin behind is a curtain and I found the traffic by FAs back and forth between the first class and the business class to be very frequent and disturbing indeed. Also as there are only two rows in the first class, the front row is right behind the kitchen gallery and the noise coming from the gallery could be pretty loud. ( I mean they do scramble the fresh eggs for breakfast as you might know..)

All in all, there is just absolutely no comparison IMHO.

Taking a train from PARIS to AMSTERDAM is much easier and faster (not to mention closer than FRANKFURT). However, if it's not part of your journey then ...

Most flights to FRA have the Betsy First Class seats with the exception of a few flights. Check with CX Res.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Guy Betsy:
Taking a train from PARIS to AMSTERDAM is much easier and faster (not to mention closer than FRANKFURT). However, if it's not part of your journey then ...

Most flights to FRA have the Betsy First Class seats with the exception of a few flights. Check with CX Res.</font>

My plan is to fly into FRA, take train to AMS and fly from AMS to IAD (UA).

The CX/UA RTW is very strict on backtracking.

HKG-CDG-LAND-AMS-IAD would be backtracking.

Really? Some flights to FRA don't have the betsy seats? But aren't all the flights operated by the 747-400?

Daniel,
take the 744... I've taken the A340 with betsy seats, and they are nowhere as comfortable as the 744. Also, why not drive from FRA to AMS? It's a nice drive and german autobahns are great! It's about a 5 hour drive at autobahn speeds; much more fun than taking a train!
Terence

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by daniellam:
My plan is to fly into FRA, take train to AMS and fly from AMS to IAD (UA).

The CX/UA RTW is very strict on backtracking.

HKG-CDG-LAND-AMS-IAD would be backtracking.

</font>

daniellam - PAR and AMS is considered a straight line and if you see properly on a map, PARIS is still slightly east of AMS and you're going WESTWARD towards USA. So flying into PARIS is okay.

You can also fly from PARIS to IAD on UA.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Guy Betsy:
daniellam - PAR and AMS is considered a straight line and if you see properly on a map, PARIS is still slightly east of AMS and you're going WESTWARD towards USA. So flying into PARIS is okay.

You can also fly from PARIS to IAD on UA.

</font>

But how come on my map PARIS is slighty WEST of AMS?

It is probably one of those maps you bought in Canada!!! Those Canadians know nothing about geography compared to Americans!!! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

AMS is east of CDG or Paris is west of Amsterdam.

Amsterdam 4° 55' E
Paris 2° 29' E
Berlin (West) 13° 18' E

rich


[This message has been edited by RichLond (edited 11-01-2001).]

Fine. Fly and take the train.



[This message has been edited by Guy Betsy (edited 11-02-2001).]

DRIVE!!! Don't take the train!!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by tfung:
DRIVE!!! Don't take the train!!</font>

I am not very good at highway driving, so if I have to drive on the autobahn it would be very dangerous for me!

Besides, the car rental companies won't rent to me anyways as I am not 25 yet.