Programs: AA EXP,Lifetime Admirals Club, Lifetime Crown Room, Lifetime Red Carpet, and many others
Posts: 4
BR vs CI in J advice please
taking a last minute short trip LAX - BKK. I'm usually on CX in J but for this trip $ are an issue. The fares on BR (last time I flew them was 10 years ago) and CI (never been on) are similar. Thoughts on comfort/service/cabin condition on these two carriers. Many thank.
Programs: AS MVPG, BR Dmnd, AA PLT/2.4MM Royal Carib. DM+, Celebrity Elite, NCL PLT, Princess PLT
Posts: 846
I used to be a die hard CX J flyer until their fares got out of hand and I switched to BR. In J, I find the service and food almost equal. It's the seat where you will notice the big difference (and difference in fares). As you know CX long haul these days has the seat that completely lays flat. BR's J seat does not go completely flat and in fact unless you set it right, can be uncomfortable to sleep in. BR has AVOD too, but not nearly as many choices as CX has.
Overall, I've been happy with the switch to BR, but it took me quite a few flights to find the perfect setting of the seat to allow me to sleep.
Since my switch I have lost my AA EXP status, but have gained BR Diamond.
By far the biggest difference in both is whether you get on new metal or not.
Both BR/CI had used to run (and still have some) fights where Biz was not very Biz
For BR it is easy to see which you are on. Premium Laura is good, Super Biz is not. I think out of LAX you are fine as all flights are PL (well, Bradley sucks, but that's another story).
I have not flown CI for 2 years so can not compare. Thier old Biz was like BR Super Biz, kind of like a grand US domestic F with plenty of space.
BR will still not be what you might expect. The seats in PL are lie flat, but at an angle. Some complain they slide to the floor. I do think the service/food is fine (unless you are comparing to SQ).
I suspect CI is very similar, IF you get on the new interior jets.
