Hong Kong to NY Business Class - Cathay vs United
Jul 7, 2015, 11:00 am
#1
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Hong Kong to NY Business Class - Cathay vs United
Hi - can anyone compare flying from HK to NYC in business class on Cathay Pacific vs. United? My gut says Cathay is a better experience. Thanks!
Jul 7, 2015, 12:15 pm
#3
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I think the seating will answer your question. UA uses 777-200 CX uses 777-300ER so not much different in width of plane but less seats across.
Cathay: 1-2-1
United: 2-2-2 or 2-4-2
Cathay: 1-2-1
United: 2-2-2 or 2-4-2
Jul 7, 2015, 12:53 pm
#4
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What is better, a Bentley sitting next to Brooke Shields or an old rusty AMC Gremlin that you got from your lecherous uncle and which smells of old socks? 
Last edited by LondonElite; Jul 7, 2015 at 12:58 pm
Jul 7, 2015, 1:03 pm
#5
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In 2013, I went from ORD to Hong Kong in Business Class on United. It was the most disgusting Business Class I've ever been on. Before that all my Long Hauls Business Class trips were on USAirways which has the 1-2-1 layout but unfortunately they did not fly that route. I would avoid United.
Jul 7, 2015, 2:21 pm
#6
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Well CX in F of course
Mmm Krug
Maybe do biz one way and spoil yourself with F for the return? That way you can try out the 2 HKG F lounges
Mmm Krug
Maybe do biz one way and spoil yourself with F for the return? That way you can try out the 2 HKG F lounges
Jul 7, 2015, 5:27 pm
#7
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Not to mention CX J will get you access to the myriad of OW (CX + QF) lounges at HKG which I imagine are better than any *A lounge (though I've never been in the *A lounges at HKG only CX J/F lounges)
Jul 7, 2015, 5:33 pm
#8
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Thanks. Sounds like a strong vote for Cathay. My only inclination to fly united is that I'm doig a status match (I have gold on delta, nothing on AA or UA) and this flight would lock me in with gold through 2016.
Jul 7, 2015, 5:34 pm
#9
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Without hesitation CX for its hard product and excellent service on board.
Also upon landing in Hong Kong, you can indulge in The Arrival, the Cathay Pacific lounge, if you want to eat or take a shower.
Also upon landing in Hong Kong, you can indulge in The Arrival, the Cathay Pacific lounge, if you want to eat or take a shower.
Jul 7, 2015, 5:44 pm
#10
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One way or round trip?
If you ticket the CX flight as an AA codeshare, you can sign up for a Platinum challenge with AA and end the trip as AA Plat, OW sapphire, good until March 2017. Unfortunately AA doesn't let you use CX codes for the challenge.
If this is a regular route, also look at Oneworld's Circle Pacific product, $5K in J ex-HKG for a 22,000 mile ticket, $6100 for 26K miles. (HKG-JFK-SYD-HKG is just over 22K, HKG-ORD//JFK-LAX-BNE-HKG is under - you'd have to fly ORD-NYC separately.)
If you ticket the CX flight as an AA codeshare, you can sign up for a Platinum challenge with AA and end the trip as AA Plat, OW sapphire, good until March 2017. Unfortunately AA doesn't let you use CX codes for the challenge.
If this is a regular route, also look at Oneworld's Circle Pacific product, $5K in J ex-HKG for a 22,000 mile ticket, $6100 for 26K miles. (HKG-JFK-SYD-HKG is just over 22K, HKG-ORD//JFK-LAX-BNE-HKG is under - you'd have to fly ORD-NYC separately.)
Jul 7, 2015, 5:45 pm
#11
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I would suggest flying CX from HKG in F, so you can use the lounges, but then on your way back in J it wouldn't be as nice, and you always should ramp up the experience.
So the best plan would be to sign up for AA status match, fly JL round-trip in J, and by the end you will be AA EXP and thus able to use the F lounges at HKG anytime you fly in the future!
Jul 7, 2015, 5:50 pm
#12
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All things being equal, CX J for both hard and soft product will be better than UA, BUT if its for a status match run, then that is a different matter maybe.....
Jul 9, 2015, 1:03 pm
#14
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Jul 9, 2015, 3:28 pm
#15
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To the OP: Follow your gut if flying from JFK and choose CX first class, yet if you want a direct flight, then UA business class from EWR is just fine. I fly to HKG quite often and the price point is always better on UA. I also enjoy upgrading to UA Global First from either ORD or SFO to HKG. Enjoy your trip.