Cathay Pacific Asia Miles - 744 vs 343 in J

Some questions from a CX newbie (although I'm turning into a bit of a HKG veteran, mainly with BA :) ).

I'm looking to book one of Airnet.co.uk's very competitive J class fares LHR-SYD with CX via HKG (next March), but I have some questions before I book and I wondered if you guys can help me.

1. Which is better in J, 744 or 343?

2. If I go with 744, how do I go about securing a seat upstairs?

3. Do all the planes on this route (and the 333 and 343 to SYD) have NBC?

4. I usually travel BA (have never flown CX before), so I'm very much looking forward to experiencing CX J class. Any tips for getting the most out of it?

Your help/information would be greatly appreciated.

PhilH

PS: The J-class fare that Airnet.co.uk are offering is GBP 2,275 LHR-HKG-SYD vv, which is extremely competitive in my experience (for one of the quality airlines).

Some questions from a CX newbie (although I'm turning into a bit of a HKG veteran, mainly with BA :) ).

I'm looking to book one of Airnet.co.uk's very competitive J class fares LHR-SYD with CX via HKG (next March), but I have some questions before I book and I wondered if you guys can help me.

1. Which is better in J, 744 or 343?
Depends on you really. I like 343. Some prefer the 744.

2. If I go with 744, how do I go about securing a seat upstairs?
Just requesting through the agency?

3. Do all the planes on this route (and the 333 and 343 to SYD) have NBC?
If you do a search on this forum and on the CX website... yes , yes and yes. All CX long haul intercontinental aircraft have them.

4. I usually travel BA (have never flown CX before), so I'm very much looking forward to experiencing CX J class. Any tips for getting the most out of it?
Yes. Don't compare it to BA.

Your help/information would be greatly appreciated.
Remember you still get BA miles on this ticket.

PhilH

PS: The J-class fare that Airnet.co.uk are offering is GBP 2,275 LHR-HKG-SYD vv, which is extremely competitive in my experience (for one of the quality airlines).[/QUOTE]

1. Which is better in J, 744 or 343?).


I have flown both in J and I have a strong preference for the upper deck on the 744. I would choose the A340 only if the 744 had nothing but middle seats on the main deck available.

I personally prefer the 744 over the 34C or 333.
But unfortunately since last year SYD will NOT have anymore 744 coming in.

I am actually doing hte same route you are doing LHR-HKG-SYD

I just find out the CX 254 is on a 34C!!! Therefore I eitehr have to put up with the 34C or take the earlier flight back to HKG CX250.

I don't understand why CX is switching the aircraft around? I would've thought there are more demand on the evening flights than the day flights (both direction)

I travelled on BA's NCW many times and when compared with the CX NBC my conclusion are as follows:


1) Seat comfort. BA = winner. No matter how people try to persuade you how COMFORTABLE sleeping on an angle will be, I still think Flat is the only way to sleep, and BA has a pretty good product.

2) Catering. CX is better (although it has slipper quite dramatically compared to PRe-SARS and when thye first introducted the NBC) and there are actually real SNACKS (not just candy bars) on the LHR-HKG runs.

3) Service (pretty much the same, although CX is slightly more consistent)

4) Lounge. BA is better @ LHR because of the Molton Brown Spa, But unless you have time to turn up 3-4 hours before your flight, it is unlikely you will get a massage (due to the # of pax). However in HKG CX has an excellent lounge (much better than the Terrace, and have really good snacks there!! - Noodles, Dim Sum, Nice Sandwiches, bottle water, all the drinks you want, juice bar, Haagen Daaz Ice Cream etc......)


I Will be travelling on the CX254 from LHR-HKG, I know I can connect straight on CX111 (dep @ 7:30pm) But i am giving myself a break and will catch the CX101 (dep 11:30pm) so I can take a proper shower, have a decent meal and maybe go back home as well (airport express = only 20 minutes to get home!)