Cathay Pacific Asia Miles - F/C seat on B747 sold as 2 class

I know this has been discussed before and I've confirmed (at least as of now...) that my flight will be on a 3 class 747. If that is the same aircraft used, does anyone have any experience getting an F seat as part of an F award with AA miles (no OW status)?

Would it help if I had someone add that I paid for an F seat to my PNR? Thanks in advance

If a 3 class aircraft is sold as a 2 class flight, then that part of the aircraft will be sold as Business Class too. However that part - the F section will be blocked off by CX until departure or CX might open it to their elite MPC members.

Having a F class award is no use cos there won't be any F class on that flight.

I understand it's not F class but if they do reserve those seats for their own elites and there happen to be a few extra seats open.. I think it would be almost a prerequisite that I be traveling on an otherwise F itinerary to get a seat assignment up front.

Not a big deal I guess as I'd almost rather be able to sample the new J seats anyway, especially for a short flight.

I understand it's not F class but if they do reserve those seats for their own elites and there happen to be a few extra seats open.. I think it would be almost a prerequisite that I be traveling on an otherwise F itinerary to get a seat assignment up front.

Not a big deal I guess as I'd almost rather be able to sample the new J seats anyway, especially for a short flight.

Not quite a prerequisite, as far as how CX is compensated (in miles or in $), it is still J, not F. However, you can show your ticket to the check-in agent. It is still possible that you get a F seat.

CX typically reserve those seats for their emerald members (Diamond). As BA emerald, I sometimes can get one, but usually not, EVEN if they are free seats available in the nose. CX use those seats as perks to Diamond members. As Cxfan1960 mentioned, try to use your F award ticket to get one by arguing nicely with the check-in staff (even call the supervisor).

I see, thanks to all for the input. I'll give it a (polite) shot and see what happens. Now to see if I can get into the F lounge in HKG :D

What is the best way to obtain a First Class seat on DPS/HKG sector that is operated by B747 aircraft. I am a QFF Oneworld Emerald.

Ask for it on checkin. You can't reserve it before check in.

Ask for it on checkin. You can't reserve it before check in.

But you are probably low on the priority list to get the seat...always worth trying.

Merging threads...

But more importantly, this has already been discussed on the CX FAQ: Post #6, Item 4.3.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/cathay-pacific-asia-miles/919353-cx-faq-complete-cx-experience.html#post11220605

I am not sure that the FAQ is fully up to date on this topic. My recent experiences on the HKG-DPS 2-class 747 is as follows. The F seats in the nose (treated as C seats) are strictly reserved to DMs (not gold or others) and pax connecting to/from a CX flight in F. I am emerald on BA and was told that I have no access to these seats. I had a lengthy and friendly discussion with two supervisor/station managers and both confirmed that this was current policy. I once could talk them into being nice (proven 30-year wedding anniversary) but that was an exception. Even if there are available seats in the nose they wont give them unless the rest of the C section is full. That is a perk of DM and I can understand it.

I am not sure that the FAQ is fully up to date on this topic. My recent experiences on the HKG-DPS 2-class 747 is as follows. The F seats in the nose (treated as C seats) are strictly reserved to DMs (not gold or others) and pax connecting to/from a CX flight in F. I am emerald on BA and was told that I have no access to these seats. I had a lengthy and friendly discussion with two supervisor/station managers and both confirmed that this was current policy. I once could talk them into being nice (proven 30-year wedding anniversary) but that was an exception. Even if there are available seats in the nose they wont give them unless the rest of the C section is full. That is a perk of DM and I can understand it.

you might also want to mention this in "Q's relating to FAQ" thread just so the person that updates FAQ will know.

The F seats in the nose (treated as C seats) are strictly reserved to DMs (not gold or others) and pax connecting to/from a CX flight in F.

my partner and i always have been able to get F seats on a J tickets (once even on reward J tickets) in the past year at OLCI; my partner's gold and and i'm silver. we were able to see the same seat availability at OLCI, and the F cabin was wide open for our selection.

what you / the CX ground staff described sounds difficult to program ... the server would have to check if u were a DM (not that difficult), if you were connecting to / from F (more difficult, esp. if on a OW flight i suppose), and if you weren't DM but travelling with someone who is, can you still sit next to the DM in F ?

not saying what u said its not true, but just not my experience at all.

ps. my experience has only been on ex-japan flights, perhaps its different by country of origin.

pps. we also werent able to select those seats at ticketing or with MPC. could only do it at OLCI or at the airport.

I seldom fly Japan. Which flight has 3-class sold as 2?

CTS is operated by 74As and sold as 2-class.

I seldom fly Japan. Which flight has 3-class sold as 2?

also some flights from NGO are served by a repositioning 3-class airbus (i think once or twice a week).

my partner and i always have been able to get F seats on a J tickets (once even on reward J tickets) in the past year at OLCI; my partner's gold and and i'm silver. we were able to see the same seat availability at OLCI, and the F cabin was wide open for our selection.

what you / the CX ground staff described sounds difficult to program ... the server would have to check if u were a DM (not that difficult), if you were connecting to / from F (more difficult, esp. if on a OW flight i suppose), and if you weren't DM but travelling with someone who is, can you still sit next to the DM in F ?

not saying what u said its not true, but just not my experience at all.

ps. my experience has only been on ex-japan flights, perhaps its different by country of origin.

pps. we also werent able to select those seats at ticketing or with MPC. could only do it at OLCI or at the airport.

Interesting that MPC silver can access those seats at OLCI. Each time they were not accessible to me at OLCI (OW emerald). I am not sure that a DPS-HKG-CDG (in F) can access them at OLCI, but I know by experience that they were at airport checkin in DPS. Of course it must be on the same PNR with F on CX, not on another OW ariline. Regarding a pax travelling with a DM, I dont think that it is difficult to program if they travel on the same PNR; BA does it for its elite members.

Just curious since I am booked in business class from DPS to HKG but will be flying on a "Z" class ("F" award ticket) from HGK and wish to "stake out my territory" at DPS as early as possible: What time does the check-in counter at DPS open for flight CX784 at 1600?
Thanks.

Just curious since I am booked in business class from DPS to HKG but will be flying on a "Z" class ("F" award ticket) from HGK and wish to "stake out my territory" at DPS as early as possible: What time does the check-in counter at DPS open for flight CX784 at 1600?
Thanks.

I think it's 3 hours before departure. But...is it worth sitting in a sub-par airport for 3 hours with only the possibility of getting to sit in a nicer chair for the 4 hr flight to HK?

I think it's 3 hours before departure. But...is it worth sitting in a sub-par airport for 3 hours with only the possibility of getting to sit in a nicer chair for the 4 hr flight to HK?
Ah, yes, that is the answer and that is the question (and, no doubt, the possible subject of debate since some travelers check in at least 2 hours before the flight in any event). I intend on sleeping during the flight and do find the suite and the front cabin far more conducive to rest, even on a 4-hour flight.
Thank you for the prompt reply and the information.

Actually, can a DM ASR those seats?

I was told my the MPO agent that they are blocked off for airport control and they can't ASR me in that cabin, but I should be able to get it via Icheck. However I want to make sure I get 1A!:D

Been there, done that. The answer is no, you cannot reserve those seats in advance, even as a DM. ;)

Been there, done that. The answer is no, you cannot reserve those seats in advance, even as a DM. ;)

Thanks. Therefore I better set my alarm alert for Icheck and hope that they will be no conx pax on that flight that can potentially take the seats before me!:D

so just to confirm, J Class catering, F Class seats. But will they still have F Class Blankets and pillows (non Duvets) and F Class amenities in the bathroom?

unfortunately the PJs/Amenity kits are now all tightly controlled and inventory checked for every flight. So it is not likely there will be one left over from a previous flight hidden in the galley:D