I've flown around ten CX/SU codeshare roundtrips in a mix of J and Y.

On the ground: SVO airport check-in opens two hours before departure. The airport itself is poor, but a new terminal will soon improve things. In Moscow, they're particularly strict on luggage weight. One kg over and they sting you, and no, you cannot pull rank using your DM/GO cards. hey even weigh hand luggage. SVO lounge opens two hours before departure and is quite ordinary.

In the air: in J, they are fantastic. I do speak Russian, so maybe that helps. Real Russian hospitality, excellent food (though they never seem to vary the menu). They used to do a fabulous Solyanka soup - when's the last time any airline served soup on board? All dishes are plated in the galley, no tray or trolley service. Various courses come out on demand - so fast eaters could be wolfing down sweets while others are still with their soup. Seats are nearly flat, but no patch on CX's old or new J. IFE? Dig-E-Player with some films, cartoons, TV shows. Nothing special. Plus they have the overhead monitors anyway.

In Y, things are a bit different. Service is surly, three average to poor meal choices (two for breakfast), seats are reasonable, but the headrest doesn't adjust. However, they are still more comfortable that CX's horrible new shell Y seat. IFE on overhead monitors. Limited drinks runs. Alcohol must be purchased.

Aircraft used are 763s, but vary in setup and interior config. What never varies is the generally tatty appearance and smelly toilets. CX in that regard is better.

I have stopped flying the CX/SU combo in favour of SQ which, from Australia, is cheaper, offers better connections and much, much better in-flight service, better IFE, and uses DME which is a superior airport compared to the old SVO.

NG1Fan