First time posting but have been a long time reader of this forum. Extremely useful forum.
Would like to hear your advice on the following choices (preferably by the end of today as choice 1 is on hold till the end of today):
Choice #1: HKG-LHR (on BA), a 6 hour layover in LHR, then LHR-RDU on AA. This is return leg of the round-the-world ticket.
Choice #2: HKG-JFK (stop over at YVR), then JFK-RDU. This is regular D fare on AA.com.
Choice #2 is $1000 more than choice #1, but I do get back to RDU at 10:10am instead of 4:10pm.
Questions:
(1) In terms of comfort level, which one is better? I know what is like on AA's LHR-RDU but how is BA's J from HKG-LHR? Esp. compared to the comfortable CX's J?
(2) How are the qualifying points for the HKG-JFK (stop over YVR without getting off the plane) calculated? Is it HKG-YVR-JFK (8841miles) or just HKG-JFK (8072)? Given the 1.5 points per miles, 800 miles difference is not trivial.
(3) The CX on HKG-YVR-JFK can also be booked as an AA codeshare for $100 more. Any benefit of booking the codeshare flights?
Location: Portland OR Double Emerald (QF and AA), DL PM/MM, Starwood Plat
Posts: 9,441
Not sure AA forum is the best source of info on comparing CX and BA quality, but I've flown lots of sectors on both.
1. CX and BA J are equally good. Very close equivalency, with CX better as a seat and on service, and BA better as a bed for sleeping (as long as you are not too tall, then there are length issues above 5'10" or so).
2. points are calculated by ticketed sector; in your case it is one flight number HKG-JFK despite the stop in YVR. You would have to change flight numbers or dates at YVR to get separate sector credit (e.g. stop overnight and fly CX to JFK the next day).
3. US govt contractors require flying US flag airline if available on a route. So they must fly the AA codeshare and cannot fly CX (as CO etc. also serve the route). Otherwise zero benefit in terms of service or FF miles.
I would pick the shorter flight, unless you really want to see LHR and the nice T5 lounges.
A third (probably better) alternative, instead of doing the RTW pacific-altantic, I can do altantic-pacific, therefore return to RDU earlier on the HKG-JFK flight and still save $1000!
Now the question is from LHR to HKG, any preference between CX and QF? I like CX's 4 seats/row configuration in J, assuming that's the one for LHR-HKG (BTW, how do I find out?), but would try QF just for experience, unless, of course, it's noticeably inferior to CX.
with CX better as a seat and on service, and BA better as a bed for sleeping (as long as you are not too tall, then there are length issues above 5'10" or so).
Actually I thought it is the reverse. the New J Class on CX is better for sleeping as it is much wider in the top half of the body and also longer than BA's NCW
But BA's NCW provide more elbow room when you are sitting up?
Actually I thought it is the reverse. the New J Class on CX is better for sleeping as it is much wider in the top half of the body and also longer than BA's NCW
But BA's NCW provide more elbow room when you are sitting up?
I disagree strongly about more shoulder space on the CX J seats. I find them claustrophobic and way too snug in the upper half of the body. I'm fairly broad-shouldered (and broad-butted too, but that's another matter ) and I find the only way I can lay flat on the CX seat is to cross my arms on my chest, just like in a coffin.
As the OP is AA EXP I'd jump at the chance to pre-select 62A/K or 64A/K on a BA 744 upper deck if that was an option (re routing.) IMO best J seat in Oneworld.
__________________ Vengeance is for people who don't have the patience for karma.
I know there are deals through a Tiglison Travel in Hong Kong only available if purchased in Hong Kong on the AA side of HKG JFK....If you don't want to put the price in a public form, you can Private Message me
If you don't mind going down to Bangkok, thereis also a deal with BA and AA from Bangkok which is often less in First than the price of Biz from HKG
) and I find the only way I can lay flat on the CX seat is to cross my arms on my chest, just like in a coffin. 
