Cathay Pacific Asia Miles - Get me home on CX! HKG-JFK

Hello everyone,
I'm new to Flyertalk, so please redirect my post to the appropriate board if I'm in the wrong place.

On 8/20, I'm happily booked on CX Business Class from JFK-HKG using AADvantage miles.
The problem is getting home. The claimed no availability for the HKG-JFK flight on 8/26 on CX, so I have to do HKG-NRT on JAL; then NRT-ORD-RIC (Richmond is home) on AA (HORRORS!).

I've been calling AAdvantage every day to check for an opening on the CX HGK-JFK flight, but I haven't been lucky. There are still plenty of seats in Business Class available for sale.

Any tricks or tips on getting one? Should I be calling elsewhere?
I'm also a member of AsiaMiles and Kris Flyer, but those accounts are empty.
I use AAdvantage and AMEX Platinum as my main point depots and transfer according to need.

I've learned a lot from the posts and been very entertained.

Thanks!

On 8/26 HKG-LAX has business and first awards available. Both HKG-SFO flights have F.

Thanks so much gleff! I was ready to jump on HKG-LAX, but unfortunately, HKG-LAX on CX arrives at 14:15 and I won't be able catch a flight to the East Coast that gets me in earlier than my current 21:35 via HKG- NRT-ORD-RIC.

What about going for F via SFO? Do you really need to fly CX *and* get in earlier? Both SFO flights have business available on 8/25.

For HKG-JFK, starting 19 August, there's F availability on 23 August on CX 840, and on 31 August when there's F availability on 888. Nothing else in any cabin in this time period.

Remember, though, that this can and does change regularly. Best to keep checking, and at regular intervals.

What about going for F via SFO? Do you really need to fly CX *and* get in earlier? Both SFO flights have business available on 8/25.

There's always a little something to complicate matters...
Are you KIDDING? I'd LOVE to fly CX in F!!! I wouldn't care if it took 3 days to get home!
Unfortunately, I was down to 114,000 in the AAdvantage account after redeeming 220,000 in May for 2 F tickets to Tokyo on JAL (VERY nice flight, and I generously gave my hubbie my dried fermented sea slug appetizer :p).
This HKG flight is costing me 110,000 for Business. I don't have enough left to get First.

BUT I do have 800,000 parked in AMEX Platinum! sigh.

Are you KIDDING? I'd LOVE to fly CX in F!!! I wouldn't care if it took 3 days to get home! Unfortunately, I was down to 114,000 in the AAdvantage account....

It's only around 137K AA miles for RT CX F from US to S.E. Asia. So you're fewer than 25,000 miles short. You can buy them relatively inexpensively, no?

how about using JL on NRT-ORD/JFK?

You could probably top off Amex -> Hilton -> AA, no? If you act quickly. Worth reading up on whether the transfers are real-time of course.

You need to check the availability regularly. CX often open the F award seat one or two day before the departure. You can probably booked a later return flight and keep on looking for the award seat. I believe they will finally release the seat but it is a little risky.

Last time I booked the LAX-HKG F award ticket for my brother, the flight number and date of the return leg was not what he needs, so we confirmed a later date but waitlist for the date we want. One day before the departure, he was confirmed to the date he wants.

The problem with AA is they can not put you on waitlist for CX flight.

In fact, some availability has opened up for 8/26 on the preferred route --

12:05am - 6:55am business class available (this is the 1-stop via YVR)
9:30am - 1:10pm first class available

In fact, some availability has opened up for 8/26 on the preferred route --
9:30am - 1:10pm first class available

That's the flight I need! My husband is on that one, lucky guy.
I just called, but I'm 8,000 miles short to upgrade from Business to F.
I wanted to buy the miles for $250, but the rep said it'd take 48-72 hrs to complete the transaction and by then the seat would probably be taken. I'd be spending $400 for nothing as I'd also need to pay a $150 change ticket fee.

Gleff, if you can keep me in mind that I need that 9:30 flight from HKG-JFK in Business on 8/26, I'd be most appreciative.

Thanks for this notification.

jo

Why not switch to the eariier flight with the business seat available (though it is the 1-stop)?

ALL 3 HKG-JFK FLIGHTS ON 8/25 HAVE A BUSINESS SEAT AVAILABLE NOW AS WELL.

I went ahead and bought the extra 7,000 miles that I'd need to grab that First Class seat on the 8/26 HKG-JFK at 9:30am.
Now to pray to the Gods of Seat Allottment that no one takes that seat before I can get my hands on it. 72 hours and counting down....

It would be justice served to have me up in F and my husband back in Business.

Thanks again gleff!
jo

Good luck! Here's hoping the seat stays available for you. Let us know!

you could always try paying for a flight ?

Did the miles already post and did you change flights?

Availability is gone on the 12:05am 1-stop and the 9:30am non-stop, but a first class seat is available on the 5pm HKG-JFK non-stop departure (arrives JFK 8:55pm) which would force an overnight... not enough time to book a separate B6 JFK-RIC fligt (9:50pm).

you could always try paying for a flight ?

HORRORS at the thought! The game is all about getting a great seat for $0!
(I'm actually paying $75 for my one way from RIC-JFK)

Did the miles already post and did you change flights?

Availability is gone on the 9:30am non-stop.

Gleff,
You broke my heart!
Unfortunately, the miles have not yet posted.
I'm going to keep calling every day to check for First or Business on that 9:30
flight.
If you see something open up, I'd be most grateful for an alert.
I've got till 8/26!

jo

I'm curious why you needed the miles in the account and couldn't put an itinerary on hold? Presumably you're redepositing miles (cancelling current itinerary), in which case you'd do that once the additiona lmiles post, so you'd have new miles to reticket, no?

The availability issue is really bizarre. Now there's not a single award seat in any class 8/24 - 8/28 for HKG-JFK.

On 8/26 the late HKG-LAX flight does have both business and first available (gets into LAX too late to connect). The 2:10pm HKG-SFO has business (arr. 11:35am) has business and the 4:25pm (arr 1:50pm) has both business and first. Then the 5pm SFO-ORD on AA has F available, so does the 4:10 SFO-DFW... but you won't get back to RIC same night.

Seatmap for the 8/26 HKG-JFK flight shows the same (4) empty seats in the cabin of 6 that I saw when it had an F award seat available. Possible the seat was taken but no seat assigned. Still, weird.

I'm curious why you needed the miles in the account and couldn't put an itinerary on hold? Presumably you're redepositing miles (cancelling current itinerary), in which case you'd do that once the additional miles post, so you'd have new miles to reticket, no?


I begged, I pleaded, I offered my first born (on second thought, I wouldn't have taken him either); they wanted all the miles in the account before they would confirm the itinerary or ticket.

I just finished packing; one week of international travel and all I'm taking is one 21" carryon and my computer.

HOW MANY women do you know who can do THAT???!!!:D

You can't TICKET without the miles, but you can put an itinerary on HOLD...

You can't TICKET without the miles, but you can put an itinerary on HOLD...

They wouldn't let me. I specifically asked to put the itinerary on hold.

They wouldn't let me. I specifically asked to put the itinerary on hold.

You"re leaving on 26th? They unholds everything on T-10 days. Tht's why they "can't"

My extra bought miles just posted, and I called immediately.
That F seat is gone.

Twist the knife in deeper.....

jo

That F seat is gone.

Don't give up, though, -- keep trying. From my own experience, these seats can be used or removed, then reappear (or additional inventory added) later on. Seems to be something CX does regularly.

You won't find "tricks" helpful with CX, believe it!:D

NO wonder they are loosing money too many upgrades in C & F

The marginal cost of upgrading someone from Y to J is minuscule - I guess less than $20 per flight, and often zero if the flight is fully catered anyway. If, as a result you can carry one more person (and hence get more revenue) then it must be good for your bottom line.

(Obviously this argument falls down if people start buying Y tickets in the expectation of an upgrade.)

NO wonder they are loosing money too many upgrades in C & F

Who's upgrading? Thought this thread was about getting a C or F award seat.

I've been calling twice a day to see if I can get that elusive First or Business seat for HKG-JFK on 8/26, but still no luck. My husband left yesterday for Taipei via CX Business JFK-HKG, and below are his comments on the flight. He found the seats a bit cramped, but he's 6'4". At 5'1", I'll be making snow angels in mine. :-) I'll be on the same flight tomorrow morning.

The flight to HKG was very nice. The business class "pods" were positioned for access and privacy. No climbing over someone. A bit small for me, but you'll find them spacious. I was able to stretch out all the way and slept about 5 hours in installments. It was very chilly in the window seats especially, so I kept the comforter on me the whole time. I ordered one of the Chinese meals (prawns) and it was great. First looked to be super if it works out for you to get a seat, but I arrived feeling quite rested and well-fed. Entertainment system beats anything I have ever seen. I had male flight attendants on my side of the plane. The women worked the other side. They know your name and call you by name every time. I think the women were a little more attentive, but it was great Asian service. Business class on my flight was pretty full, but First wasn't so hopefully something will open up closer to your return date.

Hello everyone. I'm sitting in the BA FC lounge in Terminal 7 of JFK, probably the ugliest FC lounge I've ever been in! CX Business or F passengers were given the option of using this or the Terraces Lounge, and I chose this one because it was less cowded and the seats were comfier.

The F and Business CX and BA checkin is located on the far left in Terminal 7. The service was friendly and efficient. I got a smile and a thank you! Off to the security screening, only the door leading to the F/B area is locked, and the TSA drone (who's eating what looked like a big hunk of birthday cake) behind it
doesn't open it, pointing to another....that leads....you guessed it, back to the Mass Screening Room. I get behind Jersey Trash with tattoos, visible butt cracks, beer bellies, and two screaming kids with all their crap.

At least I'm getting free wireless.

jo

PS- I can't believe I'm admitting this, but I've never flown out of JFK. Dulles, Atlanta or Miami are our main portals for international flights.
I hope never to do it again, either.
This is the dirtiest airport I have ever seen! Downright filthy!

This is the dirtiest airport I have ever seen! Downright filthy!
You want filthiness, head to LAX. JFK is tad cleaner compared to LAX.

Too bad CX passengers don't get access to the JFK concord room, not even for F pax.

I got excited for a minute, thought the F availability had returned, then realized I had typed in JFK-HKG rather than HKG-JFK :(

Please keep checking gleff!!
I'm now happily esconced in the Intercontinental on Kowloon on what they're saying is the clearest day they've had in a long time. Hubby just arrived from Taipei, and we're off to get him a custom suit. Beautiful Harbour view......and I got to be in the mini-cabin from JFK-HKG! more later....jo

Business is now available on the 930am HKG-JFK flight on 8/26, but not first at the moment.

And FWIW seat map shows only 2 seats open in F, while Sabre shows the flight as F3.

time for a song... Michael Buble - Home

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeuZ0tBJBWY&feature=related

time for a song... Michael Buble - Home
]

How about "O HAPPY DAY"!!!!
I'M GOING HOME FIRST CLASS ON CX!!!!!! YES, I"M SCREAMING!!!
and jumping around the room...naked, if you must know.....

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! You are the greatest!

Husband (who will be in Business, poor guy) is telling me we need to head out, but I promise to tell you all about the flight home.

Man it's HOT here!

jo

Enjoy, but I fear your expectations may have gotten a little too aroused. It's good, but it's not as stunning as it was 10 years ago (the food and wine are way down). Let's hope you get one of the really good crews. It's a shame you can't have dinner with your other half...

PS- I can't believe I'm admitting this, but I've never flown out of JFK. Dulles, Atlanta or Miami are our main portals for international flights.
I hope never to do it again, either.
This is the dirtiest airport I have ever seen! Downright filthy!
What exactly is filthy? The taxiways/runways? Trash on the roads? If you're talking about the actual terminal (which I suspect you are), you should know that there are, depending on how you count), about six separate terminals of varying age and architecture. Most of them are actually rather modern (and clean). Terminal 7, which CX uses, is not one of those. The only worse one is T2/3 which Delta uses. It's the old Pan Am terminal, IIRC, and I don't think it's been renovated since Pan Am left the building...

Anyway, enjoy your CX F trip, we want a full report!

What exactly is filthy? Terminal 7, which CX uses, is not one of those. The only worse one is T2/3 which Delta uses. It's the old Pan Am terminal, IIRC, and I don't think it's been renovated since Pan Am left the building...
Anyway, enjoy your CX F trip, we want a full report!

I guess I got the unlucky snake eyes by flying Delta into JFK on a tiny Embraer and I had to check my 21" bag because I also had a computer case. That $15 fee annoys me more than when the 24 yr old boomerang kid tried to feed the cat by setting the entire opened can of Fancy Feast in the cat dish...like he'd NEVER seen me never take the food out of the can? Men can be so dense!
Then the escalators were broken, and I had to lug 2 cases outside on a day as hot and humid as in Central Virginia. The Delta terminal was filthy- carpets looked like they had never been cleaned, chairs were tattered, and it was so hot the smell of BO was pervasive. I had planned on being stinky at the end of the flight, not at the beginning.
My initial reaction to Terminal 7 was positive, till the lady eating birthday cake was too busy to process me through the Entitled line, and threw me out to the masses.
I had what I thought was a very nice herringbone seat, on the 3rd aisle facing to the right window until I saw who was sitting in that seat....a young mother with a 6 month old infant!! PANIC! The FA saw the look of terror in my eyes, and motioned me into the private cabin, which was lovely! I made friends with my neighbor, learning that he was also headed to the Intercontinental on Kowloon, so we took the Airport Express and shared a taxi from Kowloon station.
He was expecting his girlfriend the next night, as I was expecting my husband, but we're not that kind of people .... ;).

I made friends with my neighborIn CX new J? You and your neighbour must be extremely tall; and have been been talking pretty loudly to do that.He was expecting his girlfriend the next night, as I was expecting my husband, but we're not that kind of people .... ;).Er, right.

Enjoy, but I fear your expectations may have gotten a little too aroused. It's good, but it's not as stunning as it was 10 years ago (the food and wine are way down). Let's hope you get one of the really good crews. It's a shame you can't have dinner with your other half...

Fully agreed that food, wines are down (and sometimes service to some extent especially with full flight). But the F suite is wonderful. I love wine, but the new suite is so great that I find the current product way above 10 years ago.

In CX new J? You and your neighbour must be extremely tall; and have been been talking pretty loudly to do that.

Talking loudly would not be enough. You probably had to scream.:D


He was expecting his girlfriend the next night, as I was expecting my husband, but we're not that kind of people .... ;).

Er, right.

Yes, er, right. What kind of people - members of the Mile High Club?

Talking loudly would not be enough. You probably had to scream.:D

Yes, er, right. What kind of people - members of the Mile High Club?

Settle down, boys! I happen to be only 5'1", but nothing prevented me from peering over the divider and saying 'hi'.
Actually, we started talking when I had to climb on my seat to open the luggage bin so I could get my carryon down. It kept falling on my head. My 6'4" husband usually saves my life from potential luggage head trauma.

Think it'd be too early getting to the airport at midnight for a 9:30am flight so I can sit in the CX FC Lounge just a little bit longer???

Settle down, boys! I happen to be only 5'1", but nothing prevented me from peering over the divider and saying 'hi'.
Actually, we started talking when I had to climb on my seat to open the luggage bin so I could get my carryon down. It kept falling on my head. My 6'4" husband usually saves my life from potential luggage head trauma.

Think it'd be too early getting to the airport at midnight for a 9:30am flight so I can sit in the CX FC Lounge just a little bit longer???

The following applies to HK ...

I think CX Longue close upon last departure (2am to YYZ?) and not re-open until 5.30 am, I am not sure if they kick everyone out or not. I think the Traveler's Longue @ Gate 40 (free if you have Citi PremierMiles) won't close though.

Also note that the immigration also close from 1.30 am to 5.30 am (I got screwed last time that I guess they work round the clock but not the case! Last time I finish Harry Porter @ 3am, I have to wait outside from 4am till 5.30am, for 9:40am CX580)

Settle down, boys! I happen to be only 5'1", but nothing prevented me from peering over the divider and saying 'hi'.
Actually, we started talking when I had to climb on my seat to open the luggage bin so I could get my carryon down. It kept falling on my head. My 6'4" husband usually saves my life from potential luggage head trauma.

As you are returning home in F, you would not have that problem. ;)

Think it'd be too early getting to the airport at midnight for a 9:30am flight so I can sit in the CX FC Lounge just a little bit longer???

Both The Wing and The Pier will be closed late at night. I heard about the miniWing, but I never tried that. It is better to be at the Airport by or after 6am. FYI - the Airport Express starts at 6am. If you catch the first train, you should be at the airport before 6:30am and have more than two hours in the lounge.

FYI - the Airport Express starts at 6am. If you catch the first train, you should be at the airport before 6:30am and have more than two hours in the lounge.

This has been a hot and humid, but very enjoyable trip. Delicious food, perfectly located hotel, lots of interesting sites, but no shopping (too much crap at the markets for my liking, but hubbie got 4 suits made at the tailor the US Consulate's office uses).

We're taking a taxi to the Airport Express, then off to the FC Lounge.

Do they give foot massages there?:)

jo

No. But there are places around the airport where you can get one (for a price).

I heard about the miniWing]

where is the miniWing?

At the bottom of the stairs just to the right of the (business class) reception desk.

Homeward Bound!
Wakeup call was promptly delivered at 5am, and we were checked out and in the taxi bound for the Airport Express Station by 6am.
I can't compliment the Intercontinental's staff enough. They were waiting for my husband by name as I was finishing my hair, and had the bill adjusted to negate the 2 internet connections per day since we both brought our computers.
They ran through a little check list making sure we had our passports, tickets, computers, purses, gave instructions to the taxi driver (telling us not to buy Express tickets from the driver) and wished us safe travels.

They let my husband in the FC lounge (Wing?) with me, where they had a small assortment of fruits, danish, juices, eggs and smelly fishy things and bundles of dim sum for breakfast.

I have a Mac and am on wireless, but it's slow as dial up.

Overall, I am disappointed. The JAL First Class Lounge in Tokyo kicks this place's butt.
They had abundant Eastern and Western food, roaming attendants asking if you needed anything, and the ladies' restrooms were large, luxurious (they had those toto washlets
that are like taking your bottom through a car wash) and smelled divine.

We'll see what the FC cabin is like....

jo

They let my husband in the FC lounge (Wing?) with me, where they had a small assortment of fruits, danish, juices, eggs and smelly fishy things and bundles of dim sum for breakfast.

I have a Mac and am on wireless, but it's slow as dial up.

Overall, I am disappointed. The JAL First Class Lounge in Tokyo kicks this place's butt.
They had abundant Eastern and Western food, roaming attendants asking if you needed anything, and the ladies' restrooms were large, luxurious (they had those toto washlets
that are like taking your bottom through a car wash) and smelled divine.

We'll see what the FC cabin is like....

jo

As you are traveling in F, you can have one guest.

The lounges are very old. The BA Concorde Room, QF SYD lounge and JL NRT lounges are all newer and better. Did you use the shower or cabanas in the Wing?

Have fun!

......luxurious (they had those toto washlets
that are like taking your bottom through a car wash) ....


:D:D:D
LMAO!

Hello, everyone. I've been home a few days and despite feeling the need for a Sunday afternoon nap, have mostly overcome my jetlag so thought I'd close this thread by giving you an update on my final leg on CX 830 HKG-JFK in F.

As mentioned previously, I was underwhelmed by the CX F lounge. It was dated and lacked the comfort, food choices, fast internet, and luxurious ladies room that I had experienced in the JAL F Lounge in Tokyo a few months ago.

I was assigned pod 1K, next to a window. All six seats were taken in F. My husband
was in Business, and they were also full.
Yes, I felt guilty when I went to visit him and found him easily as his 6'4" frame forced his feet into the aisle, but he's a great guy and didn't complain. He was happy that we could be on the same flights home.
The FA's were ready to serve food immediately, but I asked for a 3 hour nap since I'd been awake since 5am. I was given my bag of amenities, which contained the usual toiletries. What impressed me was the bag with the jammies- they were the best quality
pj's I've ever seen. The material was a soft, sueded, thick cotton. They'll make a great 'frequent flyer' costume for Halloween.
The seats are huge and of course lie flat, but being only 5'1", I did notice that there was a gap between the footrest and the ottoman, so I had to work to position myself comfortably to sleep.
My lunch meal was sea bass, salad, and mango mousse. It was all delicious. Then I watched Star Trek X, and fell asleep for the rest of the trip so missed the dinner and snack (and alcohol) service. The FA accused me of sleeping for 15 hours and being the least demanding passenger she'd ever had. Darn.
We flew home on JetBlue, whose terminal was indeed infinitely better than the nasty Delta terminal.

I loved Hong Kong, the Intercontinental on Kowloon is without a doubt THE hotel to stay
at as it is directly on the water and offers amazing harbor views, and the food was the best and most varied we'd had anywhere in the world.

Most of all, I can't thank this list enough, especially gleff who notified me of the F award availability. You transformed a memorable trip into a perfect one!

jo

Congratulations on enjoying CX F!

Please post photos if you took any, and also of the Intercontinental over in the Priority Club forum :)

Cheers,
Gary

As mentioned previously, I was underwhelmed by the CX F lounge. It was dated and lacked the comfort, food choices, fast internet, and luxurious ladies room that I had experienced in the JAL F Lounge in Tokyo a few months ago.

It is definitely dated. The rest room is small, but the shower and cabanas rooms are large. For an early morning flight, I normally have breakfast in the lounge and take a shower, and occasionally use the cabanas. If you need anything that is not inside the room, you can ask the attendants.

If you use the cabanas, an attendant usually asks for your departure time, in case you may fall asleep on the chairs.

But... there is no car wash thing.:)

The seats are huge and of course lie flat, but being only 5'1", I did notice that there was a gap between the footrest and the ottoman, so I had to work to position myself comfortably to sleep.

I did not recall there was a gap, but I have only been in 74A F. Did the FAs make the bed for you after the first meal or did you do that yourself:confused:?

Congratulations on enjoying CX F!

Please post photos if you took any, and also of the Intercontinental over in the Priority Club forum :)

Cheers,
Gary

I'd love to post pictures, Gary.
I did buy 3 pairs of reading glasses in the Stanley Market for $1USD, but they haven't helped me find this "Priority Club" forum, nor where pictures are posted.
?????????

jo

I was underwhelmed by the CX F lounge. It was dated and lacked the comfort, food choices, fast internet, and luxurious ladies room that I had experienced in the JAL F Lounge in Tokyo a few months ago.Well I haven't been to the JAL NRT F lounge, nor any ladies rooms, but I'm surprised by the comments on comfort and food. There are always plenty of comfortable seats in the F Wing when I go there - the ones in The Library are rather too comfortable since I find myself in danger of nodding off and missing my flight!

For food, you were there for breakfast, so you had dim sum, two or three choices of hot dishes, a variety of juices, muesli, a variety of cereals, fruit, cheese & cold cuts, congee and condiments, a noodle dish, pastries, bread, preserves, and an a la carte menu of the usual western breakfast (eggs, bacon, sausages etc). Plus coffees, various teas and infusions, and, if you so desire, champagne or wine.

I'm curious what else is it that you would like for breakfast? (And what else the JAL F lounge does for breakfast)

Did the FAs make the bed for you after the first meal or did you do that yourself:confused:?

The service was impeccable (what I was awake for, anyway).
The FA made my bed when I told her I needed a nap before food.
I had an underlayer to lie on, a flannel blankie to snuggle with, a nice weight cotton duvet, and TWO pillows!

Do I really have to go to work tomorrow?
sigh.....

..., and, if you so desire, champagne or wine.

Well, champagne or wine during breakfast:o

The service was impeccable (what I was awake for, anyway).
The FA made my bed when I told her I needed a nap before food.
I had an underlayer to lie on, a flannel blankie to snuggle with, a nice weight cotton duvet, and TWO pillows!

Do I really have to go to work tomorrow?
sigh.....

My feeling is that the FA might not make the bed fully flat because of the meal, or perhaps I did not feel the gap that because I am taller.

Well, champagne or wine during breakfastMy excuse would be that I'm trying to get onto New York time so it's really 8pm not 8am! And anyway champagne breakfast is a pretty common thing isn't it?

My excuse would be that I'm trying to get onto New York time so it's really 8pm not 8am! And anyway champagne breakfast is a pretty common thing isn't it?

Yes, in fact you are right. I just have not had champagne breakfast for quite a while that I forgot about that.

Well I haven't been to the JAL NRT F lounge, nor any ladies rooms, but I'm surprised by the comments on comfort and food. There are always plenty of comfortable seats in the F Wing when I go there - the ones in The Library are rather too comfortable since I find myself in danger of nodding off and missing my flight!

For food, you were there for breakfast, so you had dim sum, two or three choices of hot dishes, a variety of juices, muesli, a variety of cereals, fruit, cheese & cold cuts, congee and condiments, a noodle dish, pastries, bread, preserves, and an a la carte menu of the usual western breakfast (eggs, bacon, sausages etc). Plus coffees, various teas and infusions, and, if you so desire, champagne or wine.

I'm curious what else is it that you would like for breakfast? (And what else the JAL F lounge does for breakfast)

JAL's food presentation was much more pleasing to the eye. I was expecting to be wow'ed esthetically by CX and wasn't; it was basic breakfast fare that was plainly set out on rectangular tables covered by a simple white cloth. Adequate? Yes. Exceptional? No.
We also didn't know about the a la carte option for Western fare until we had finished our food and overheard a nearby passenger give a food order.
There's no confusing us being phenotypic WASP's; someone should have advised us of that choice.

jo

Well I haven't been to the JAL NRT F lounge, nor any ladies rooms, but I'm surprised by the comments on comfort and food. There are always plenty of comfortable seats in the F Wing when I go there - the ones in The Library are rather too comfortable since I find myself in danger of nodding off and missing my flight!

For food, you were there for breakfast, so you had dim sum, two or three choices of hot dishes, a variety of juices, muesli, a variety of cereals, fruit, cheese & cold cuts, congee and condiments, a noodle dish, pastries, bread, preserves, and an a la carte menu of the usual western breakfast (eggs, bacon, sausages etc). Plus coffees, various teas and infusions, and, if you so desire, champagne or wine.

I was expecting to be wow'ed esthetically by CX and wasn't; it was basic breakfast fare that was plainly set out on rectangular tables covered by a simple white cloth. Adequate? Yes. Exceptional? No.

Gotta tell ya, I agreee with Chris. I transit HKG something like 8x per year, but never been to NRT or SYD. I like the Wing's setup much better than anything at LHR T5, too. Many more options for eating from buffet or ordering. I have never wanted for anything at the Wing. It's outsourced to the Peninsula, IIRC, -- hard to beat the Pen for service, IMO.