An update on the ongoing travel. Arrived today into HKG from JNB via CX F. Some comparos between CX and BA (AA is already a clear third in this race).

(1) On the ground. Check-in was smooth, but not particularly fancy. Was given a pass to the Terraces lounge in JNB, which was nothing to write about. Full of kids running around (which mercifully left soon after I arrived). The SA lounges looked much nicer (with their own private check-in facing the outside of the airport!). CX and SA codeshare in this route, so I imagine if you are flying on a SA ticket, you'd get access to these apparently far superior lounges.

Plane was pretty full in coach, and about 30% load in F. Boarding appeared to be chaotic, but they actually had personnel controlling the crowds by lining them up at the gate according to row number. They even had signs for each row and they would direct the people to each line. Well done. I just zoomed in with a "Welcome sir". Upon entering the plane, was led to my seat by a FA, who asked me if I wanted a drink. Asked for OJ, which was NOT freshly squeezed. Came with some sub-par canapes. However, the OJ once airborne was freshly squeezed. Go figure.

BA vs CX: Slight edge for BA.

(2) The plane. I gather CX is running their older 744s to JNB (not as competitive as the other CX routes, apparently). The plane was a bit rundown and ratty, with lots of obvious dings and scratches. This plane was fully painted on the outside with cartoon characters, so it must have been a "special" one once. The seat was fine, and everything worked OK, even the noise cancelling headsets. The armrest came down, like the AA seat. This was nice. The J section looked pretty run of the mill, no new space pod seats or anything, just regular seats. Not very appealing.

BA vs CX: Slight edge for BA, except for the lousy BA headphones.


(3) Amenity kits. The BAg is a much finer piece of glitz than the La Prairie stuff that CX distributes. However, the CX PJs and slippers are definitely nicer. No socks, though.

BA vs CX: Even, with the amenity kit round going to BA, and the rest going to CX.

(4) Food. Good caviar (lots of it), excellent food, good port wine, and top champagne. The food portions were generous, well cooked, and well presented. The only discordant touch were the plastic knives, to go along with the heavy cutlery and the cut crystal glasses and cups. It is a JNB-HKG flight, for God's sake. Does paranoia have to extend to otherwise civilized regions of the planet? What's the story? Some guys plowing the plane into the Bank of China building?

BA vs CX: CX by a dozen furlongs.

(5) On board service. CX wins hands down. Always addresed by name, attentive (perhaps too attentive) service througout, drinks refreshed through entire flight, etc.

(6) Arrival lounge. Arrival lounge? We need no stinking arrival lounge! Maybe people in HK like to look like sheize at their first meeting of the day, after getting off a 12 hour flight. Maybe its a cultural thing. BA takes this prize.

Overall: I'd give CX the edge, but BA does a nice showing. AA is far behind, their nicer seat included.

[This message has been edited by Pickles (edited 01-28-2003).]