Korean Air Skypass - Korean Air (KE) vs. Cathay Pacific (CX) Quality?

Ignoring FF point considerations, how's the overall quality of Korean Air (KE) BUSINESS class service on trans-Pacific flights service compared with Cathay Pacific (CX)? Space? Flight Attendants? Food? Electronics? Entertainment? More specifically, Seoul Incheon connections to/from NY & Shanghai vs. HKG connections to/from NY & Shanghai? Thanks in advance for insightful feedback.

I'v never flown ON CX transpacific, only interasia. I can only speak to KE. I for one, loved their service. The food was great, the Flight Attendents are very good at making sure your entire flight is comfortable. KE has a great network to China. They fly to many cities in China. Feel free to read my recent TR's:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=771131
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=772891
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=783496

If you have any other Questions, just feel free to ask.


Ignoring FF point considerations, how's the overall quality of Korean Air (KE) BUSINESS class service on trans-Pacific flights service compared with Cathay Pacific (CX)? Space? Flight Attendants? Food? Electronics? Entertainment? More specifically, Seoul Incheon connections to/from NY & Shanghai vs. HKG connections to/from NY & Shanghai? Thanks in advance for insightful feedback.

In my opinion CX is a better airline then KE (KE is still a great airline). However I would fly from NY to Shanghai with KE and cut a few hours off the trip.

Most people would probably agree that CX is superior to KE, but the difference is not significant (assuming you can get a KE flight with the new seats). Both airlines are lightyears ahead of US carriers.

Seats, IFE, and service are very similar; food, in my opinion, is one area where CX has a pretty clear advantage. I would go with the better schedule, and lower fares (assuming you pay for your own ticket).

I would say that jpdx has it right, provided you're comparing KE's recently installed shell seats to CX's similar shell that rolled out several years ago, not CX's new herringboned totally flat beds. But I would also wonder whether "most people" giving the edge to CX are basing it on experiences with the old KE, not the current KE that is making a serious play to join the ranks of the top-line Asian carriers: CX and SQ. I'm not saying "most people" are wrong, I'm just saying it may be some legacy issues affecting the result.

Most important, both are lightyears ahead of US carriers.

As between KE and CX, I would look first to which one fits best with your FF program preferences. If that's equal, I'd go to price, then schedule. KE has been know to be a lot cheaper than CX. A LOT.

CX has completely lie-flat seats in J on all three flights, while KE still has slopey seats if I am not mistaken. In addition, the nonstops (831/841) are operated by 77Ws, which have only been with CX for less than six months. The other flight is a 744 which stops at YVR.

CX's fully owned subsidary, Dragonair, has hourly services to PVG running from 0800 to 2025. In case you have any doubts about them, KA has been named the Best Airline of China (https://www.dragonair.com/da/en_INTL/aboutus/pressroomdetails?refID=1ea970155eb14110VgnVCM32000 011d21c39____) by Skytrax for six consecutive years.

CX is the clear winner here. :cool: