AA competition for CX on the LAX route
Sep 25, 2016, 8:11 pm
#91
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: ORD [formerly] + HKG
Programs: CX Diamond, AA exExPlat, BAEC exGold, HH Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Starriott Titanium, GE
Posts: 2,966
Sep 25, 2016, 8:39 pm
#92
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: CX, UA, Shangri-La, Hyatt, Starwood
Posts: 7,708
Just did HKG-LAX-HKG on AA192 and 193.
The hard product is superior to CX, the addition of bed liner and pyjamas makes it a very good product for sleeping.
Other than that, maybe I am too used to CX service but the attitude of the FA and the service are just awful.
As for the food, I was expecting a step up from the degrading CX J food, but in fact it was barely edible on the HKG-LAX leg (except for the sundae dessert), and just ok on the way back.
Not complaining since the fare is really good and I slept most of the flight both ways.
The hard product is superior to CX, the addition of bed liner and pyjamas makes it a very good product for sleeping.
Other than that, maybe I am too used to CX service but the attitude of the FA and the service are just awful.
As for the food, I was expecting a step up from the degrading CX J food, but in fact it was barely edible on the HKG-LAX leg (except for the sundae dessert), and just ok on the way back.
Not complaining since the fare is really good and I slept most of the flight both ways.
I also like that CX has started stocking more snacks lately. Plus staff usually proactively save things for DMs anyway, they virtually never run out of what you want. Service on CX is still many many cuts above AA, no matter how much we complain. The customer is still the customer on board. AA, keep dreaming.
If I fly on AA, I'm already expecting service to suck. Basically I'm flying it because the hard product is now very solid, they have wifi, the fare is cheap, and it's nonstop to where I'm going. I'm still not going to go out of my way to fly AA, connect on them, or pay a dime more than the bottom rung price.
This is a personal preference, but I don't care about PJs or headphones because I bring my own of each. Agree on slippers tho; for some reason I categorize this different from PJs, I wouldn't mind getting slippers onboard and just leaving them behind (like JL, QR, etc), because I hate bringing my own pair from home, wrapping them up, bringing them out on the plane, etc. I always bring my own slippers to CX flights. I think it comes down to I'm much more picky to what I wear (I don't like PJs in F either, inevitably they're cheap material and far less comfortable than what I can bring on board), but don't care as much about the slippers, and would like to just dispose of them each flight. Not exactly environmentally friendly but....
Wifi, totally agree. CX is behind the ball here. I wonder if during the next round of D checks for the 77Ws / 33E / 33K they'll install it. I sure hope so. Because the fleet is going to be really bifurcated, especially to Europe and Australasia, where A359 will be competing regularly with B77W or A333.
Sep 25, 2016, 8:53 pm
#93
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: CX Green, QF Platinum, BAEC Silver, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 10,780
Wifi, totally agree. CX is behind the ball here. I wonder if during the next round of D checks for the 77Ws / 33E / 33K they'll install it. I sure hope so. Because the fleet is going to be really bifurcated, especially to Europe and Australasia, where A359 will be competing regularly with B77W or A333.
Sep 25, 2016, 8:55 pm
#94
Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member
Posts: 19,800
I thought I had read somewhere (probably CX World) about two years ago that the later 777s are already wi-fi equipped, but they just need to enable it after the regulatory approvals were granted. The iPads and duty free terminals I believe are online to the CX network - duty free specifically to reduce credit card fraud.
Sep 25, 2016, 8:58 pm
#95
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: CX, UA, Shangri-La, Hyatt, Starwood
Posts: 7,708
I thought I had read somewhere (probably CX World) about two years ago that the later 777s are already wi-fi equipped, but they just need to enable it after the regulatory approvals were granted. The iPads and duty free terminals I believe are online to the CX network - duty free specifically to reduce credit card fraud.
Sep 25, 2016, 9:48 pm
#96
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,797
I thought I had read somewhere (probably CX World) about two years ago that the later 777s are already wi-fi equipped, but they just need to enable it after the regulatory approvals were granted. The iPads and duty free terminals I believe are online to the CX network - duty free specifically to reduce credit card fraud.
Of course, just because they have the boxes doesn't mean there's anything connected under there.
Sep 25, 2016, 11:29 pm
#97
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: AA PLT, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,405
No USA airport is set up for non-US citizens transiting, unfortunately. I'm fortunate to be an American passport holder with Global Entry (expedited entry in a similar idea to Hong Kong e-channel, though different in execution). It is normally smooth sailing for me, but still a pain to go through immigration, pick up checked bags, go through customs, recheck bags, then have to deal with TSA when the large, high international transit volume airports in the vast majority of other countries are much easier. I can only imagine it being much worse for those not carrying an American passport.
Probably as the vast, vast, vast majority of Americans don't know of Ctrip, and AA can hold margins on fares sold to Americans that way but still fill seats.
Probably as the vast, vast, vast majority of Americans don't know of Ctrip, and AA can hold margins on fares sold to Americans that way but still fill seats.
Sep 26, 2016, 3:33 am
#98
Join Date: May 2004
Location: TPE
Programs: AA EXP 2MM
Posts: 507
I know this is OT - but I saw the posts about ctrip and now my interest is piqued. Just curious though - how do you find out the fare class prior to purchase? For example ctrip sells one way tickets from the US to London for $600 or so on AA - is there a way to find out if these earn miles? AA.com of course will only sell full-fare one-way tix to Europe on their website. No thank you, not paying over 2 grand for an economy class ticket to London.
Sep 26, 2016, 9:00 am
#99
Join Date: Oct 2012
Programs: CX - DM; Hilton - Diamond, Marriott - Titanium
Posts: 542
Also just been told that HX is launching HKG-LAX daily direct service from July 2017. We will have more choices.
They are also starting HKG - HNL (4x weekly) and HKG - LAS (3x weekly) and a few more longhaul destination in the pipeline. Great for pax as we have more choices.
They are also starting HKG - HNL (4x weekly) and HKG - LAS (3x weekly) and a few more longhaul destination in the pipeline. Great for pax as we have more choices.
Sep 26, 2016, 9:07 am
#100
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: CX, UA, Shangri-La, Hyatt, Starwood
Posts: 7,708
Also just been told that HX is launching HKG-LAX daily direct service from July 2017. We will have more choices.
They are also starting HKG - HNL (4x weekly) and HKG - LAS (3x weekly) and a few more longhaul destination in the pipeline. Great for pax as we have more choices.
They are also starting HKG - HNL (4x weekly) and HKG - LAS (3x weekly) and a few more longhaul destination in the pipeline. Great for pax as we have more choices.
Sep 26, 2016, 9:38 am
#101
Join Date: Oct 2012
Programs: CX - DM; Hilton - Diamond, Marriott - Titanium
Posts: 542
I believe so. Also on the list are London Gatwick, Prague, Athens, Christchurch via Canberra. All of these routes they have already submitted to the relevant authorities for regulatory approval with flights #. Looks like they are really stepping themselves up to compete with CX!
Sep 27, 2016, 9:23 am
#102
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: AA PLT, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,405
And for the itinerary I was looking, clicking "flight details" did not show the fare class.
Sep 27, 2016, 10:44 am
#104
formerly gemini573
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: LAX, HKG, and BKK
Programs: CX Emerald, WOH Globalist, Marriott Platinum, AA Lifetime Platinum, Virtuoso, Prive, STEPS, STARS
Posts: 2,233
The fare is just SO TEMPTING but I'm looking at the flight out of LAX on 27.9. Delayed 15 hours! 4 major delays and two cancellations since the 7th Sept. As a result, the HKG-DFW is delayed.
From fellow FT member @prw555
9/13 - cancelled
9/17 - cancelled
9/18 - moved to 9/19 at 9.51am
9/21 - 3.08pm
9/26 - 3.11am
9/27 - TBD, scheduled for 5pm
Also, ctrip states only 2 pieces at 23kg each for baggage allowance in J (read it in both English and Chinese)? Perhaps they didn't update that part.
From fellow FT member @prw555
9/13 - cancelled
9/17 - cancelled
9/18 - moved to 9/19 at 9.51am
9/21 - 3.08pm
9/26 - 3.11am
9/27 - TBD, scheduled for 5pm
Also, ctrip states only 2 pieces at 23kg each for baggage allowance in J (read it in both English and Chinese)? Perhaps they didn't update that part.
Last edited by 77W_12A; Sep 27, 2016 at 12:41 pm Reason: added content
Sep 27, 2016, 5:49 pm
#105
Join Date: May 2004
Location: TPE
Programs: AA EXP 2MM
Posts: 507
The fare is just SO TEMPTING but I'm looking at the flight out of LAX on 27.9. Delayed 15 hours! 4 major delays and two cancellations since the 7th Sept. As a result, the HKG-DFW is delayed.
From fellow FT member @prw555
9/13 - cancelled
9/17 - cancelled
9/18 - moved to 9/19 at 9.51am
9/21 - 3.08pm
9/26 - 3.11am
9/27 - TBD, scheduled for 5pm
Also, ctrip states only 2 pieces at 23kg each for baggage allowance in J (read it in both English and Chinese)? Perhaps they didn't update that part.
From fellow FT member @prw555
9/13 - cancelled
9/17 - cancelled
9/18 - moved to 9/19 at 9.51am
9/21 - 3.08pm
9/26 - 3.11am
9/27 - TBD, scheduled for 5pm
Also, ctrip states only 2 pieces at 23kg each for baggage allowance in J (read it in both English and Chinese)? Perhaps they didn't update that part.
I called AA about the baggage allowance, and the allowance is based on AA's own rules for Business Class, so discard what Ctrip states. If you are a OW Emerald, you'll get 3 bags of up to 70 lbs each.