I think CX is the best OW carrier. I find QF service hit-or-miss. The new CX lie flat B/C seat is superior to all others I have used (BA, SQ, AA, QF) -- not sure if this is the configuration on this route, though. (I had this new CX seat on 747-400 from JFK-HKG last month). QF service more "casual"??? Is that what you call it??? My last international QF flight took > an hour for drinks to be served, and after dinner the crew disappeared. They were as casual as a leisure passenger on that flight!!!

Downside to CX: They put mushrooms on many dishes -- yuck, I hate that fungus!