Cathay Pacific Asia Miles - New New Business Class

Are there any plans for CX to upgrade their New Business Class?

It has being nearly 3 years since they first launched the product.
I must say when they first launched it, it was pretty exciting and was slightly in front of SQ as well in terms of the schedule.

However the seat itself is not revolutionary or anything.. As VS had introduced that type of Slant seats back in 1999!!!! the J2000.

Given the new VS Upper Class Suite and SAA's FULLY FLAT Forward facing seats hitting the market already, are there any plans for CX to upgrade the NEW Business Class.

I know CX did some modification last year (the paddings, the angle etc..)

But to be honest, I really don't particularly like the Slant angle and also CX is the only airline that lacks the foot stop as well on the New Business Class.

I spoke to the FA on a recent flight, she told me originally CX did experiment with the exisiting seat to make less angled. But given only row 86, all other rows, the window seat CANNOT actually get out, they abandoned the plan.

What I think CX can do is in a cost effective way is to maybe remove 1 row of Economy and prehaps there might be enough room for the new J Class seats to be Flat (or at least less angle). - Maybe feasible on Weight Resticted routes (JFK and LAX)

You will have to wait a couple of years before CX will get a new business class, but I think it's in planning already. Geardown should have some information on this.

I hope they do it soon, as the Virgin Upper Class Suite does look appealing and when they come to SYD I am pretty sure they will reduce the price to compete with CX and QF.

It will become more unjustifiable to use CX given the decrease in quality in food and staff. Not to say VS is exceptionally good or what (as I did hear horror stories on VS). But just on the face of things, VS does have a lead in many aspect of their J Class.

Hope I didn't upset any diehard CX fans here.

When designed a new product, one must consider the return on investment that a new product design will bring to the airline. We cannot make a full comparison between what VS offers to that of CX as the latter offers First Class and Business Class cabin on its long haul aircrafts.

VS is able to combine their Business/First concept and therefore, they are able to provide a seat that is more on the "in-between" of the two products.

I personally think that CX does see a need for a First Class product on some routes where the 744s and 3-class A330s fly to, namely, US, Europe and Australia (SYD and MEL).

If you want to fly First Class, you pay for First Class. I think CX has to differentiate their product offering a little between the two classes.

If you want to compare VS and CX, then look at who is making more money out of their business operations - CX by a significant mile.

What is on offer at the moment in J class justifies for the next 3 to 4 years at most. I am sure CX is looking at various alternatives to tackle the new product development cycle. ;)

I understand what you mean.

But from a Pax point of view, you have to consider many factors. Also which product is better value for money.

On Routes like SYD-HKG it will soon become so competitive that CX will have to do some improvement to retain the premium end of the market.

On Routes like SYD-HKG it will soon become so competitive that CX will have to do some improvement to retain the premium end of the market.

Off the top of my head: The only airlines that fly this route are QF and CX, no?

By December = VS/QF/CX
By next year = VS/QF/CX/KA/Australian/Jet Star Asia etc....
Also not to mention other options such as SQ/MH etc....
It will become pretty competitive (that is why CX wanted to add the 3rd flight) If you look at CX's operations, the only Long Haul routes that are on TRIPLE daily = HKG-LHR. and now HKG-SYD.

Look at your US and Canada Gateways, none of them can support triple daily at the moment. (also maybe some cutback as well eg. YYZ no more F Class)

But CX already competes very happily with VS (and BA, and (soon) QF) on LHR-HKG with the current products. I don't see that extending that competition to Sydney will make much difference.

VS Upper Class doesn't tend to get discounted as far as CX J except for very big corporate accounts, but still they don't run anything like such a successful business as CX.

Agree that the management of CX is good.

However, I think CX tend to be somewhat conservative in product innovation.

For Example, VS and BA introduced these flat sleeper seats back in the mid-late 90s while CX only have the cradle seat on offer. However, I think other intangibles such as Service, brand image, asian network and the HK Hospitality really set CX apart from the other airlines.

Mind you, CX announced their new sleeper seats for J class "one day" ahead of Singapore Airlines!

I am not sure where you got your info from about Jetstar Asia flying on the SYD/HKG sector from next year. For your info, Jetstar Asia will be based in Singapore and will fly regionally within SE Asia - watch out SQ - Qantas will be coming to eat your lunch!

Overall, I much perfer CX's J class to SQ's SpaceBed anytime. :D

Sorry I mean the Backpakcer Airline that QF might be introducing.

HKG-SYD will become one of the most competitive routes soon!

Sorry I mean the Backpakcer Airline that QF might be introducing.

I think it already has been introduced. Umm... air australia or something like that.

I think it already has been introduced. Umm... air australia or something like that.

Australian Airlines (http://www.australianairlines.com.au/aahome.html) :)

Australian Airlines (http://www.australianairlines.com.au/aahome.html) :)

Ah yes, thanks!

I can guarantee you that Australian Airlines (a hybrid international airline of Qantas) will not compete with its subsidary airline (Qantas) on the HKG-SYD. What logic would that make? Cannablising their own business - I don't think so!

On this particular route (HKG-Australia), I prefer Cathay Pacific by a far mile.

Fly Cathay Pacific - the world's best airline! ^

The new Backpacker airline is NOT Australian Airlines. I think it is another super cheap LCC but flying International routes.


At the moment in Australia you have the following airlines:

QF
Jetstar (full subsidary of QF = Full LCC)
Australian Airlines (Full Subsidary of QF but NOT LCC. It is just All Y class flying to Holiday destinations eg. Saba and KIX)
Virgin Blue (LCC) (Part of VS) Domestic only
Pacific Blue (LCC) (Part of DJ) NZ routes


Australian Airlines will not really canablise the market as I am sure they will make additional stops to pick up more pax on the way. Also it is FULL Y Class service on those terrible 767.