Qantas Frequent Flyer - Qantas Y vs. Cathay Pacific Y

Sorry, I did a search and couldn't find anything.

Considering a trip to Australia next year. I was planning to take Cathay to requalify for my AA plat (as I would have been over half way there with 26000 elite qualifying miles), but when I called up was told there was no H fare to SYD from HKG and I would only get miles for the JFK-HKG part (around 18000 miles) and would pay 2200USD. So I called QF up and they had the same fare from JFK-LAX-SYD getting full elite qualifying miles (only 1400USD for 50% eqms). Made me think that maybe QF would be a better bet.

So, I'm asking how does the service compare with that of CX? I have never flown either, but was kind of looking forward to trying Cathay. Also, how are lounges? I was excited about the Wing/Pier in HKG. I have flown SQ so how does QF Compare with that? Also, I see mention here of AVOD, but the QF site says not from LAX. Is this always true and/or are they adding it to more flights?

Thanks!

for inflight service - i think CX Flight attendants are much better than QF, but for IFE, QF rocks it, if u r riding on 744, 330...and if u r on F/J class, there's no big difference too, or maybe people found QF J class seat is nicer/newer, that's totally agreed!

if i were u, i will pick CX, JFK/HKG using 346 and can experience the lounge in HKG, as well as better food/services. Go and experience HKIA's superB hub for CX, u will love taking pics there!

IMHO, Cathay by a mile and a half!

Regards
SQ744

I personally would take the QF option, I dont think CX product is that far superior to warrant the extra time and hassle of changing planes etc in HKG.

CX is superior in some aspects to QF, but then QF beats it with IFE (when its working). In Y though it really comes down to how long do you want to be sitting in that tight seat for? The answer is usually as short a period as possible. I'd take the QF flight.

CX is superior, but not that much. For USD800 less I'd go QF to SYD; IMO a 'no brainer'.

The LAX T4 AC lounge is better than most.

Agree 'bout the wing/pier, but for an AA Plat the main advantage is really only the noodles cooked to order when compared to many other international J lounges.

Thanks everybody for the responses. Reading the QF site it appears that AVOD should be installed on all 744s by January 2007. Hopefully that means I would have it on the flight JFK-LAX/LAX-SYD. That would be a big advantage over CX.

What lounge does QF use for J in JFK (and what terminal am I in)? If I come in from RDU that day, can I use the new AC in the new terminal before transferring to the QF terminal? Also, is there time in LAX to use the AC or should I just stay on the plane for the hour and a half?

Also, if I throw the possibility of using 82500 AMEX MR miles, does the price outweigh the service benefits of Cathay? I think it probably would, but not totally sure.

What lounge does QF use for J in JFK (and what terminal am I in)? If I come in from RDU that day, can I use the new AC in the new terminal before transferring to the QF terminal? Also, is there time in LAX to use the AC or should I just stay on the plane for the hour and a half?


I believe that QF uses the BA lounge at JFK Terminal 7. With a 90 minute connection I would get off n pop up to the AC. I am not sure that they allow people to stay on board during the stop

Dave

In economy, I have found CX to be similar to QF with regards to service. However, as you move up the cabin class chain, CX moves further and further ahead of QF. If confined to economy I would very happy to take QF via LAX since the flight will be shorter and less expensive.

See if you can get the QF fare to include an overnight stay in LAX and then take the QF8 day-time trans-Pacific service. That would certainly be my choice rather than the overnight QF107 flight (especially in economy).

And yes, QF107 passengers get to use the BA lounge at JFK, but they do not get to use the pre-flight dining facility.

Thanks everybody. Sounds like Qantas is a fine way to go!

Once again, is the 82500 AMEX points a good value for the trip JFK-SYD?

AVOD should be installed by June 2007, correct? Also, are they installing the 777 style bins on the LAX plane or not?

If I go revenue, is it better to fly the JFK-LAX segment on Qantas or to try to go RDU-LAX on AA (through DFW, ORD most likely) and try my luck at upgrading to F on AA?

I believe all Qantas 744s were equipped with 777 style bins when skybeds were installed.

AVOD installation is scheduled to be complete by January 2007 (http://www.qantas.com.au/info/flying/inTheAir/entertainment/avod).

If I go revenue, is it better to fly the JFK-LAX segment on Qantas or to try to go RDU-LAX on AA (through DFW, ORD most likely) and try my luck at upgrading to F on AA?Only you can answer this. How many extra ff miles will you get ? What is the cost difference? What is the schedule like? On the QF JFK-LAX problems with late flights, missing connections. etc are avoided as you will be on QF all the way.

Only you can answer this. How many extra ff miles will you get ? What is the cost difference? What is the schedule like? On the QF JFK-LAX problems with late flights, missing connections. etc are avoided as you will be on QF all the way.

About 150USD to take AA across and negligible mileage differenece. Probably not worth it for a potential upgrade to AA F. What is QF service on this transcon route like?

By most reports, QF J JFK-LAX is better to AA F on the same route/times.

AVOD will not be rolled out across the whole of the 744 fleet by JAN 2006 (contrary to what the out-dated QF website says).

Only 12 aircraft (747s) currently have the system and only two-three more are due to have it by the middle of November.

Qantas Airways still has a long way to go before the system is fully installed on all of its 747-400s.

It's embarassing to find the many mistakes on the QF website. This ranges from mentioning Jetstreams, to the 333 still having a domestic configuration to the route map saying JQ flies to ROK and MKY from SYD :o.

Sorry for my OT post aa4ever. Which ever airline you chose, I hope you have a wonderful and pleasant flight and enjoy our wonderful Country!

Regards

Sorry for my OT post aa4ever. Which ever airline you chose, I hope you have a wonderful and pleasant flight and enjoy our wonderful Country!

Regards

No problem! I really appreciate knowing that there may not be the AVOD system (partly so I know to bring my laptop/DVD player). How many 744s are there and do they try to schedule AVOD equipped ones for long hauls (I'm guessing no to the last one)?

Thanks

How many 744s are there and do they try to schedule AVOD equipped ones for long hauls (I'm guessing no to the last one)?

Thanks
Qantas has 30 747-400 series aircraft. Of these, 23 are in the 3-class configuration that operate the trans-Pacific routes. And 9 of those are in the 14F/64J/265Y config that is QF's prfered config for trans-Pacific (including all 6 of their 747-400ER fleet).

Of the 9 in the 14F/64J/265Y config, 4 have AVOD now.

QF seem to schedule the 744ER on this route which should have the AVOD, but as always with Qantas no guarantees. Last flight I did LAX-SYD in May (on a 744ER) it only partially worked. The service JFK-LAX is full international standard.

QF seem to schedule the 744ER on this route which should have the AVOD, but as always with Qantas no guarantees.
That is not a good assumption to make. QF has 6 x 747-400ER aircraft, of which only two currently have AVOD installed (VH-OEE and VH-OEF).

The rollout has been a little slower than originally planned.