Originally Posted by
kchika
I urge you to move to the other three flights instead. CX253 would be your choice if this is your first time in CX F. HKG based crew, nose of a 744, daytime flight and two "full" meals (the second meal is a "refreshment", but it is more of a dinner, on the other flights you get b'fast instead). This flight usually has the lowest load in F as well.
for my (semi-leisure, for 1 week in May) trip i'm in between 255 (WL-ing) or 253 (confirmed) as well as NZ 38/39 (in PE or J, both in preliminary thoughts) for 2 ppl. for CX it's companion award + A fare, and both tickets in NZ are paid for.
since they are all different in timings and cost i've got the different concerns
CX 255:
Pro- O'N flight, maximize total time in Europe (IF i get confirmed on the waitlist, or else confirmed on the next day) , shortest immigration time (assuming with fast track), CX F experience.
Con- Flight not confirmed yet (for redemption ticket) , CX Res Agent keep saying i must ticket A fare 3 days within booking regardless of waitlists, mixed crew base(?), Not sure if i'll have enough miles by the time i ticket.
CX 253:
Pro- Max CX F experience as discussed by
kchika (double blade sword??), hopefully less busy cabin, redemption ticket confirmed. HK crew base.
Con- getting into the center pretty late. possibility of aircraft swap??? Ticketing time l limit as above
NZ:
Pro- Lower total cost (2NZ Js = 1 CX F), more connection options than CX253, total new experience, currently confirmed earliest arrival
Con- J: herringbone, also why CX J wasnt considered. same service with NZ PE.
PE: possible cramped flight with 3-3-3 config in 772. Otherwise satisfactory experience. (pretty much deal made IF it was a NZ 744)
PS. Time in Europe in general is not a BIG problem unless i need to connect to a flight that I must leave earlier the same day.
Also, I'd be 20K miles short of now and most of my existing miles are in Citi Premier points form. I will/can get some spendings before then, but i suppose i must do before ticketing!
Deal breakers: 1 hr queue at LHR immigration (eg. no more fast track in T3 for 255) , total cost goes up by 5K HKD, NZ seat upgrade in the next 3 mths (which is not happening...), CX F service deterioration...
OR, would anyone say QF PE actually is worth considering?
Anyone has operational voice to be heard? thoughts? i know, it's not exactly apples to apples comparision.