And no, CX would not race to the bottom in the domestic US market. They do have global standards (and a powerful trademark) to maintain.
How do you know that ? CX had already cut meals in Y for many non meal time flights for HKG-TPE, that is already a sign, while CI and BR retain their meals on the same route.
TPE-HKG is about an hour flight. PS flight is around 5-6 hours, so it is fair to charge $3000.
Please realise that I'm talking about the quality of the catering at the price being paid.
If it is fair to charge $3,000 for a 5-6 hour flight in F, they should be serving a meal worthy of the price. In fact, they have plenty of time to do 5 or 6 courses on that flight! But they don't. They used to do these elaborate meals within the US in F, including carving the roast on the trolley!
I would say my short CX flight's meal was worthy of the price.
I mean everyone can choose whatever they want, but I always try the regional or origin dish they have instead, in CX F you may get real shark fin soup or slow cooked abalone from Ah Yat's restaruant in Hong Kong.
I think what you are mentioning here was a promo that CX had a couple of years ago, which took dishes from several well known restaurants in Hong Kong into the air. I believe this promo no longer exists. (although I'd love to see it again)
To be fair, UA's "PS" C-Class service is often $250+upgrade.
I think you have hit the nail on the head. Not many folks US Domestic would pay $1,000+ for a 1 hour 20 minute flight. Most likely, they would buy a Y cheapo Y tix and upgrade.
For longer flights (UA's PS service and AA's Flagship service), many (myself included) buy a Y tix and upgrade. I would never pay the $3k+ for AA LAX-JFK in C, but I'd buy a $500 tix and use 5 upgrade stickers.
If it is fair to charge $3,000 for a 5-6 hour flight in F, they should be serving a meal worthy of the price. In fact, they have plenty of time to do 5 or 6 courses on that flight! But they don't. They used to do these elaborate meals within the US in F, including carving the roast on the trolley!
I would say my short CX flight's meal was worthy of the price.
What am I missing on the ps flight compare to your CX F ? Isn't already a 5 or 6 course meal ?
They take more than an hour to finish the service, course by course, no rushing at all.
1. Nuts and drinks (2 special cocktails)
2. Appetizer and Salad (choice of dressing)
3. Entree (3 choices)
4. Dessert (ice cream with several different toppings)
5. Coffee or tea
6. Milk and Cookie before arrival
+ Handheld on demand IFE with noise cancelling headsets, Westin mints and towlettes, Westin bedding, eyeshades and earplugs
If I would spend that money in F, I would rather do it on CX JFK-YVR, at least on the outbound you would get shanghaitang PJ and amenity kit.
What am I missing on the ps flight compare to your CX F ? Isn't already a 5 or 6 course meal ?
They take more than an hour to finish the service, course by course, no rushing at all.
1. Nuts and drinks (2 special cocktails)
2. Appetizer and Salad (choice of dressing)
3. Entree (3 choices)
4. Dessert (ice cream with several different toppings)
5. Coffee or tea
6. Milk and Cookie before arrival
+ Handheld on demand IFE with noise cancelling headsets, Westin mints and towlettes, Westin bedding, eyeshades and earplugs
If I would spend that money in F, I would rather do it on CX JFK-YVR, at least on the outbound you would get shanghaitang PJ and amenity kit.
Please let's be realistic.
Beverages do not count as a "course", and neither do snacks served hours later.
United PS has 3 courses - appetizer/salad, main, and sweets.
I'm only pointing out that CX has excellent catering given the short time in which to serve it. Their set-up is much better (real salt and pepper pots, crystal, nice plates, tablecloth - they even give you an individual pot for your tea). United PS does not compare to CX F, especially in presentation.
I'm not sure where you're going by mentioning amenities (flat beds, not slopes), routes, and these other things. I am only talking about the CATERING aspects here.
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CX is an excellent airline with great service for the most part, but the F meal service on a 1.5 hour flight is a bit much and I don't know many people in the US who would pay $1,000 for such a short flight in the US or any where. Really, what is the point of such a meal on a short haul flight. With that said, United's PS service could really be improved. It is sad the meal service they provide. But again, must people don't pay $3000 for that flight, or even $100. I would assume average ticket price is Y for $600-700 with an upgrade, and J $1000 with upgrade to F. Facotr into the mix, labor costs are lower for CX, expecations high, and competition strong.
Again, nice F meal TPE-HKG, but I think I would have paid for Y and took the rest $700 savings and went to the best place in HKG or TPE.
I can see your CX flights also has 3 courses - salad, main and sweets. It is pretty standard on CX unless it is longhaul.
It's more about the little details, rather than having an X number of courses.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flyingfox
I'm only pointing out that CX has excellent catering given the short time in which to serve it. Their set-up is much better (real salt and pepper pots, crystal, nice plates, tablecloth - they even give you an individual pot for your tea). United PS does not compare to CX F, especially in presentation.
