Originally Posted by QRC3288

Everyone's opinion is different, but I just totally disagree here. The "Apex" suite thing is superb if you get one of the two windows in each row (this is 2/6 or 2/7 seats, depending if 787 or 777). The aisles are decidedly inferior and partially exposed, to the point where you can get bumped into by aisle traffic. I like the middles (777 only) but I can see folks seeing them as downright claustrophobic, and they are very skinny. My first trip on JAL I was blown away by the seat (helped I had a window). It has "wow" factor as a business class product for the first time. Second and third and subsequent after that, much much less and you start to see the weaknesses of the product. Like limited seat storage space, and extreme disparity in which seats are better vs. worse. Especially after I started sitting in the aisles I noticed this was not my favorite J product. I recently saw a review over on One Mile At A Time by a fellow named Daniel, who raves about the same product installed on Oman. Of course he does. He has flown it precisely once in his life which makes his opinion about as useful as...mud. Not to mention, those guys are trying to "experience" things, and generally not using airplanes as a transport working folks to get from A to B. It really sucks getting woken up when you're asleep by aisle traffic if I have 4 meetings when I land.

CX's Cirrus isn't as bling but I find it overall a better product to guarantee sound sleep, especially since the seats are far more equal and private. Aiming away from the aisle is a huge factor.

I can never figure out exactly when I'm entitled to the cordoned off, preferred J seats or not on JAL, but the one round-trip where I paid full fare J I scored a J class seat forward on the 77W (kudos to JAL, at least they recognize the windows are hands down the preferable seats...I wish CX would do something similar for its preferred seats). Wasn't able to get the same seat selection on discounted JL J class tickets I bought as when I paid full fare. My guess is you need to be on a full J or C ticket to guarantee yourself a window, which definitely are killer seats. Or be really anal about checking the seat map if you have an award ticket or cheaper J class fare, which I'm not.

I agree with all your other points about the food though. CX doesn't hold a candle to JAL.