Cathay Pacific Asia Miles - Question: Fin Air/BA or CX?---economy class

Hi all,
I am new in here, and I need your advice. If you can, please help me.

I'll go to Helsinki from KIX in this Aug-Sep. Yes, I will try AA Challenge to Pt :) I am wondering which air line I should use, AY or CX.

I guess I will book economy class. And If you had used both, I'd like to ask you which one was better? :confused:

And... I will go to Britain in next March. Yeah, it might also be booked an economy class. I'd like to ask you again, which was better, BA or CX? :confused:

I'd like to know especially about seat. For me, the worst was North West:-(

Hi all,
I am new in here, and I need your advice. If you can, please help me.

I'll go to Helsinki from KIX in this Aug-Sep. Yes, I will try AA Challenge to Pt :) I am wondering which air line I should use, AY or CX.

I guess I will book economy class. And If you had used both, I'd like to ask you which one was better? :confused:

And... I will go to Britain in next March. Yeah, it might also be booked an economy class. I'd like to ask you again, which was better, BA or CX? :confused:

I'd like to know especially about seat. For me, the worst was North West:-(


On top of the AA forum there's a sticky with the AA challenge information.people there would be more helpful than here on the CX forum I guess.Then be aware that cheap Y tickets almost earn no miles on BA e only certain booking codes are valid on CX.Somebody then says that in order to od a challenge you need to fly some segments(4) on AA.Not strictly enforced I heard. Try to contact amoderator and ask him to move the post to the AA forum,cuz you can't cross post there.

cheers

Hi all,
I am new in here, and I need your advice. If you can, please help me.

I'll go to Helsinki from KIX in this Aug-Sep. Yes, I will try AA Challenge to Pt :) I am wondering which air line I should use, AY or CX.

I guess I will book economy class. And If you had used both, I'd like to ask you which one was better? :confused:

And... I will go to Britain in next March. Yeah, it might also be booked an economy class. I'd like to ask you again, which was better, BA or CX? :confused:

I'd like to know especially about seat. For me, the worst was North West:-(

I haven't flown Y on either of these carriers but I have wandered through the cabins to stretch my legs a bit during a flight. For me it would be no contest, CX would seem to be a much better option than AY, the cabin did not appear as cramped on the CX aircraft and the seat and entertainment was just much better (no seat back screen on AY for instance). Given the quality of the business class food on AY I would also strongly suspect that CX would offer better catering. I think a quick look at the seating plans (found in the timetable on the AY site) will tell you all you need to know.

Sorry I disagree.

In economy, BA has the tightest seat pitch between seats. 31". CX is marginally more at 32". The best is actually AY at 34".

For the Platinum challenge, you need to book on certain fare classes on CX, namely Y, B and H class. On BA, anything other than Y, B will earn you 25% miles and some farecodes like N, or Q earn no miles. (You'd have to go to the AA website to check this out).

Your best bet will actually have to be on AY. Bear in mind though, that the challenge is based on points and not miles. Discounted fares earn only 1/2 the points. And you need to achieve the 10K points within a 3 month period or something like this. A roundtrip from KIX to London will earn you less than 5000 points. You cannot 'stretch' the Platinum challege over till March next year. Why don't you try the Gold challenge first, and then work up to Platinum next year?

From what I understand, you don't need the 4 AA segments to get the Plat level. But that might have changed.

To fly on CX to get the Platinum challenge is to fly FROM the US as most fares from there to Asia are in H class - which means you earn 100% of the miles (but still 50% of the points). But at least the distances are longer! :)

AY is Ok for transatlantic, especially if you've used AA but is making cutbacks. Y catering is nothing above average anymore and they were planning to charge for alcoholic bevrerages soon. Some MD-11s are configured 2-5-2 and others 3-4-3 in Y. The seats are the same width but 3-4-3 has narrower aisles and unless petite it is hard to make the trip to the lav without bumping aisle seat pax. AY's cabin staff are very hit or miss, mostly miss.
CX offers similar Y seat dimensions and legroom but better seatback IFE, superior food, on request snacks if you get hungry, more attentive cabin crews.
If you were comparing J services the seat comfort is even more pronounced as CX has flat J seats while AY does not.

On top of the AA forum there's a sticky with the AA challenge information.people there would be more helpful than here on the CX forum I guess.Then be aware that cheap Y tickets almost earn no miles on BA e only certain booking codes are valid on CX.Somebody then says that in order to od a challenge you need to fly some segments(4) on AA.Not strictly enforced I heard. Try to contact amoderator and ask him to move the post to the AA forum,cuz you can't cross post there.

cheers

HI
Thank you for reply.
Yeah, I know I can't "Challenge" in cheap Y tickets in CX. but in my understanding, I have no need to fly 4 segments on AA challenge PT or GD, but keeping GD, I have to fly 4 segments.

anyway yhank you so much.
reikkonen

I haven't flown Y on either of these carriers but I have wandered through the cabins to stretch my legs a bit during a flight. For me it would be no contest, CX would seem to be a much better option than AY, the cabin did not appear as cramped on the CX aircraft and the seat and entertainment was just much better (no seat back screen on AY for instance). Given the quality of the business class food on AY I would also strongly suspect that CX would offer better catering. I think a quick look at the seating plans (found in the timetable on the AY site) will tell you all you need to know.


Yeah, catering , back screen are also important factors. Yet, honestly to say, if it is't rotten, I am satisfy. I will bring small meal in cabin ;)

I went to see the seating plans, as your advice. In my opinion, AY's cabin looks a little bit small...but BA's Y is much smaller than NW.

anyway thank you
reikkonen

Sorry I disagree.

In economy, BA has the tightest seat pitch between seats. 31". CX is marginally more at 32". The best is actually AY at 34".

For the Platinum challenge, you need to book on certain fare classes on CX, namely Y, B and H class. On BA, anything other than Y, B will earn you 25% miles and some farecodes like N, or Q earn no miles. (You'd have to go to the AA website to check this out).

Your best bet will actually have to be on AY. Bear in mind though, that the challenge is based on points and not miles. Discounted fares earn only 1/2 the points. And you need to achieve the 10K points within a 3 month period or something like this. A roundtrip from KIX to London will earn you less than 5000 points. You cannot 'stretch' the Platinum challege over till March next year. Why don't you try the Gold challenge first, and then work up to Platinum next year?

From what I understand, you don't need the 4 AA segments to get the Plat level. But that might have changed.

To fly on CX to get the Platinum challenge is to fly FROM the US as most fares from there to Asia are in H class - which means you earn 100% of the miles (but still 50% of the points). But at least the distances are longer! :)


Yeah, according to FewMile's nice webpage, I have no need to fly 4 segment in Challenge GD or PT, but if I were GD stage, I have to fly in AA for 4 segments to keep my stage. but, they are changeable. Anyway I have to ask AA. ;)

And in my understanding, BA is the most tinest, second is AY, the largest is CX... :confused: When I book,　I have to ask their seat pitch. @:-)

To be honest, I haven't check how much I will earn q-points. :( After I have decided which career I use, I will, and I will choose GD or PT Challenge. ^

Anyway thank you
reikkonen

AY is Ok for transatlantic, especially if you've used AA but is making cutbacks. Y catering is nothing above average anymore and they were planning to charge for alcoholic bevrerages soon. Some MD-11s are configured 2-5-2 and others 3-4-3 in Y. The seats are the same width but 3-4-3 has narrower aisles and unless petite it is hard to make the trip to the lav without bumping aisle seat pax. AY's cabin staff are very hit or miss, mostly miss.
CX offers similar Y seat dimensions and legroom but better seatback IFE, superior food, on request snacks if you get hungry, more attentive cabin crews.
If you were comparing J services the seat comfort is even more pronounced as CX has flat J seats while AY does not.

Oops, I haven't thought about aisles pitch, to trip to lav :eek: Yeah, MD-11 looks so tiny....

Anyway Thank you
reikkonen

So far, I am thinking that if I could book BA's world travelar plus, it looks the best for me. :) Second might be AY :rolleyes: . CX is so attractive, but it takes much time than AY even BA for me. and about AA's challenge, if there are only cheep economy, maybe I can't try any challenge. :(

Anyway, thank you so much.

and if you have any advice for me, please keep inform me :)

reikkonen

AY is Ok for transatlantic, especially if you've used AA but is making cutbacks. Y catering is nothing above average anymore and they were planning to charge for alcoholic bevrerages soon. Some MD-11s are configured 2-5-2 and others 3-4-3 in Y. The seats are the same width but 3-4-3 has narrower aisles and unless petite it is hard to make the trip to the lav without bumping aisle seat pax. AY's cabin staff are very hit or miss, mostly miss.
CX offers similar Y seat dimensions and legroom but better seatback IFE, superior food, on request snacks if you get hungry, more attentive cabin crews.
If you were comparing J services the seat comfort is even more pronounced as CX has flat J seats while AY does not.

Incorrect. All AY MD-11s are configured in 2-5-2 front Y cabin and 3-4-3 aft Y cabin. Also, AY is in the process of installing lie-flat seats in J that will actually be superior to CX's.

AY Economy is average.
CX Economy is above average.
BA Permium Economy is good but can be expensive.
The number one thing as others have mentioned is AA is very stingy with CX mileage credits. :mad:
-UFFA

The number one thing as others have mentioned is AA is very stingy with CX mileage credits.
Presumably you mean the other way round? As CX is paying AA to put the miles in your (AA) account, it's CX that's being stingy.

Incorrect. All AY MD-11s are configured in 2-5-2 front Y cabin and 3-4-3 aft Y cabin. Also, AY is in the process of installing lie-flat seats in J that will actually be superior to CX's.

Incorrect as well. The front cabin is 3-4-2, and by no means has 34" pitch. 32-33" at most.

The rear cabin is horrible, narrow seats, narrow aisles and the seats themselves have a terrible design as well. AY food in longhaul Y is junk (no choices) and they now charge for alcohol other than beer/wine.

Personally I find the seats in the rear cabin much more comfortable than in the from 3-4-2 cabin. Much softer! Althou the isles are narrower and so are the seats...and in the back the pitch definately is much bigger...I would say 34" in the back and 32" in the front cabin....

JB

Personally I find the seats in the rear cabin much more comfortable than in the from 3-4-2 cabin. Much softer! Althou the isles are narrower and so are the seats...and in the back the pitch definately is much bigger...I would say 34" in the back and 32" in the front cabin....

JB

Sorry to say but if you're talking about AY MD11's, 34" pitch at the back of the bus....check your medication? ;)

Sorry to say but if you're talking about AY MD11's, 34" pitch at the back of the bus....check your medication? ;)

Well Im just reflecting on my experiences on the 20+ flights Ive done in the back of the bus on AY MD 11´s ... being 6"2 I find the legroom much better than in the "elusive" front cabin of Y....