Cathay Pacific Asia Miles - What are my chances to get NEW Business seats SFO-HKG in January?

I've read various things, and CX customer service has told me various things, so I"m hoping someone has a good idea of my chances. I'm booked SFO-HKG-BKK out on Jan 18th, and returning on Feb 2nd. What are the chances that these planes will have the new business class seats?
Thank you!

The CX website shows that on January 18th CX873 SFO-HKG aircraft is the 34C, the A340 with new First and new Business. The 34C is scheduled equipment from January 15-19. On February 1 and 2, CX872 HKG-SFO aircraft is also the 34C.

Caveat, CX can always change aircraft at the last minute. I flew YYZ-HKG recently and the 34C turned out to be a 34S, the A340 with new First only.

Got my CX New Business Class promo CD the other day...very impressive. Hoping that the 744s in and out of JFK will be refitted soon or that the JFK-HKG nonstop is launched by March 2002.

Re: CX Business Class Promo CD .... is it one of those rectangular shaped CD-ROMs? It doesn't fit on my 'upright' !

Is the Airbus with the new J designated as 34S or 34C?

34S has new F...

34C has new F and new J...

according to:
http://www.cathaypacific.com/intl/inflight/fleet/0,,32823,00.html

Thanks, tedhl, as always.

Hmmm... I somehow thought HKG-AMS has the new J and routed my next trip via AMS. Glad that I read this thread. Otherwise, I would have gone crazy seeing the old J when I had expected the new!

Guy Betsy,

The CX Business Class Promo CD is a 3 inch mini-CD that requires QuickTime for viewing.

I've flown SFO-HKG-SFO-HKG-SFO since mid November. On 3 of the 4 legs, the schedule indicated 34Cs at the time of booking and still indicated so close to the departure date. Only 1 of 4 actually had the new J class.

Don't trust what people tell you on the ground. The one time I did get the new J everyone on the ground said it was old J. Just hope for the best and enjoy the surprise in the aircraft.

Based on my limited sample of experience, you have a 25% chance for each leg. CX has 17 A340s, 3 of which have the new J. That says your real chance should be closer to 18%.

CX has switched to 34C from 34S on the day I am flying. I have to keep my fingers crossed. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I am planning to go LAX-HKG in "D" class in mid-February. CX schedule shows the aircraft operating as a "74J" but SFO-HKG is a "34C". I could depart from any of the CX gateways in N.A. but am now wondering which one would be the most likely to operate with the new seats in mid-February?

[This message has been edited by KIR@GCM (edited 12-30-2001).]

Your best bet would be to take the airbus flights from SFO. The 34C aircraft is plying the route quite regualrly so your chances are quite good in getting the new seats.

There is only ONE 747 configured to the new J seats and its flying mostly to London.

My last few CX long-haul flights were on a 74J and they were nothing short of excellent. I am 6'2" tall so the new seats are tempting me to switch to SFO. Compared to the new seats on BA's Club World, I would presume that the CX product will be better for those passengers that need those extra 3" when stretching out.