AA LAX-HKG 777-300ER / 77W discussion, issues, etc.
Mar 5, 2018, 3:40 pm
#1171
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: New York
Programs: AA, CX, Hyatt, Marriott
Posts: 1,484
I am on the opposite side and want to try AA's LAX-HKG lol
Mar 5, 2018, 6:36 pm
#1172
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: San Francisco
Programs: AA EXP; Marriott BonVoy Titanium Elite, Marriott LT Plat.
Posts: 1,717
The offer on CX's PE offer for would indeed have been a much more convenient nonstop service indeed. But finding an AA fare approx $300 less in Y with available space to immediately be confirmed into J. Why both with CX? I'd rather enjoy my self induced 3.5 hr layover in LA to relax at Q FL and AA FL prior to departing for HKG. Tryout the LAX-HKG route @andersonCooper!! I've had great service and an enjoyable flight each time.
Mar 5, 2018, 7:02 pm
#1173
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: New York
Programs: AA, CX, Hyatt, Marriott
Posts: 1,484
Seems like I made the right decision!!
The offer on CX's PE offer for would indeed have been a much more convenient nonstop service indeed. But finding an AA fare approx $300 less in Y with available space to immediately be confirmed into J. Why both with CX? I'd rather enjoy my self induced 3.5 hr layover in LA to relax at Q FL and AA FL prior to departing for HKG. Tryout the LAX-HKG route @andersonCooper!! I've had great service and an enjoyable flight each time.
The offer on CX's PE offer for would indeed have been a much more convenient nonstop service indeed. But finding an AA fare approx $300 less in Y with available space to immediately be confirmed into J. Why both with CX? I'd rather enjoy my self induced 3.5 hr layover in LA to relax at Q FL and AA FL prior to departing for HKG. Tryout the LAX-HKG route @andersonCooper!! I've had great service and an enjoyable flight each time.
Thing is I am in NY, and what's worse is the EWR side, so going to JFK isn't the best commute. CX EWR - HKG has the same 359 confi, and I find AA's EWR - DFW - HKG too exhausting even with SWU cleared both ways, not to mention the poor upgrade availability for DFW - HKG. I heard the upgrade chance for LAX - HKG is extremely good even for low EQD EXPs, but have never taken a chance yet.
With that, just for burning SWU (since I won't have enough personal TATL flights this year to burn), I will try to schedule a JFK - LAX - HKG later this year. Can't wait to go back to QF F!
Last edited by andersonCooper; Mar 5, 2018 at 7:46 pm
Mar 5, 2018, 8:10 pm
#1174
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: San Francisco
Programs: AA EXP; Marriott BonVoy Titanium Elite, Marriott LT Plat.
Posts: 1,717
Regarding CX's PE price, usually ex-HKG is most expensive, so I usually match other Asian destinations (cut $300 - $500). I feel the fare differences between AA Y and CX PE from NYC can be way higher than $300.
Thing is I am in NY, and what's worse is the EWR side, so going to JFK isn't the best commute. CX EWR - HKG has the same 359 confi, and I find AA's EWR - DFW - HKG too exhausting even with SWU cleared both ways, not to mention the poor upgrade availability for DFW - HKG. I heard the upgrade chance for LAX - HKG is extremely good even for low EQD EXPs, but have never taken a chance yet.
With that, just for burning SWU (since I won't have enough personal TATL flights this year to burn), I will try to schedule a JFK - LAX - HKG later this year. Can't wait to go back to QF F!
Thing is I am in NY, and what's worse is the EWR side, so going to JFK isn't the best commute. CX EWR - HKG has the same 359 confi, and I find AA's EWR - DFW - HKG too exhausting even with SWU cleared both ways, not to mention the poor upgrade availability for DFW - HKG. I heard the upgrade chance for LAX - HKG is extremely good even for low EQD EXPs, but have never taken a chance yet.
With that, just for burning SWU (since I won't have enough personal TATL flights this year to burn), I will try to schedule a JFK - LAX - HKG later this year. Can't wait to go back to QF F!
Understandable indeed! The madness/beauty for me as I'm SFO based but my employer in NYC metro area is that I have to travel to NYC to/from SFO often before/after my trip(s) to Asia (HKG in particular). Thus, for me to break it up for better work/life experiences, i tend to head to one destination then return home before heading to next target.
I'm expecting AA to target me "soon" as I get better deals to/from Asia than I do "to/from" NYC from SFO. Sure, the "hassle" of going to LAX is tolerable if I plan to fly on AA metal. Well worth it if my Y fare gets me into J (near-top dog status for upgrading) as apposed to just purchasing PE on CX for the nonstop out of SFO to Asia. From what I've read online reviews here on FT, one isn't to expect much more than service class fare paid with CX regardless of OW status.
Mar 5, 2018, 9:03 pm
#1175
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: New York
Programs: AA, CX, Hyatt, Marriott
Posts: 1,484
Understandable indeed! The madness/beauty for me as I'm SFO based but my employer in NYC metro area is that I have to travel to NYC to/from SFO often before/after my trip(s) to Asia (HKG in particular). Thus, for me to break it up for better work/life experiences, i tend to head to one destination then return home before heading to next target.
I'm expecting AA to target me "soon" as I get better deals to/from Asia than I do "to/from" NYC from SFO. Sure, the "hassle" of going to LAX is tolerable if I plan to fly on AA metal. Well worth it if my Y fare gets me into J (near-top dog status for upgrading) as apposed to just purchasing PE on CX for the nonstop out of SFO to Asia. From what I've read online reviews here on FT, one isn't to expect much more than service class fare paid with CX regardless of OW status.
I'm expecting AA to target me "soon" as I get better deals to/from Asia than I do "to/from" NYC from SFO. Sure, the "hassle" of going to LAX is tolerable if I plan to fly on AA metal. Well worth it if my Y fare gets me into J (near-top dog status for upgrading) as apposed to just purchasing PE on CX for the nonstop out of SFO to Asia. From what I've read online reviews here on FT, one isn't to expect much more than service class fare paid with CX regardless of OW status.
To be fair, I think CX still treats OWE pretty well - its soft products are still beyond AA's regardless of AC (359 is great on PE as well, gonna try J next month). Even for regional (HKG - TPE/SIN/HND), I got personal greetings from ISM; the load on my last JFK - YVR was so light, so the ISM greeted and asked for my meal orders before takeoff, but the only other pax asked her why he didn't get to order meal, which was a little awkward.
On BA, AA, I rarely received the same greetings (even for paid J/F). Small things but they add up.
Mar 5, 2018, 9:37 pm
#1176
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: San Francisco
Programs: AA EXP; Marriott BonVoy Titanium Elite, Marriott LT Plat.
Posts: 1,717
That definitely sounds like a job I would love to take as well
To be fair, I think CX still treats OWE pretty well - its soft products are still beyond AA's regardless of AC (359 is great on PE as well, gonna try J next month). Even for regional (HKG - TPE/SIN/HND), I got personal greetings from ISM; the load on my last JFK - YVR was so light, so the ISM greeted and asked for my meal orders before takeoff, but the only other pax asked her why he didn't get to order meal, which was a little awkward.
On BA, AA, I rarely received the same greetings (even for paid J/F). Small things but they add up.
To be fair, I think CX still treats OWE pretty well - its soft products are still beyond AA's regardless of AC (359 is great on PE as well, gonna try J next month). Even for regional (HKG - TPE/SIN/HND), I got personal greetings from ISM; the load on my last JFK - YVR was so light, so the ISM greeted and asked for my meal orders before takeoff, but the only other pax asked her why he didn't get to order meal, which was a little awkward.
On BA, AA, I rarely received the same greetings (even for paid J/F). Small things but they add up.
Thanks...
After this upcoming trip, I'm planning to explore being a "free agent" in the OW realm. I'm expecting to make EP with AA at the current rate I'm on, but just may have to explore other options as my travels are slowly becoming for intl routed outside the AA metal routes.
Mar 12, 2018, 4:10 am
#1178
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: San Francisco
Programs: AA EXP; Marriott BonVoy Titanium Elite, Marriott LT Plat.
Posts: 1,717
Im on this flight nearly at a monthly rate so there are time when I've not been bothered when seated from 3-7 in J. But one of the crew members on this last flight said that the Y galley tends to be worst since there are more people in the rear looking for food and conversations.
Mar 18, 2018, 2:43 am
#1179
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Portland, OR.
Programs: AA PPro
Posts: 606
just flew both legs. don't like leaving at midnight as they push the food so fast, but I was already asleep. Interesting that is was 15 hours flying east but only 13 coming back... Trade winds. In BUS the wines going over were great "grechetto' from umbria as a wonderful white, but only 1 white wine in bus class coming back. Good staff. Happy to be in bus class with a SWU.... burned for the year but worth it.
Mar 19, 2018, 9:34 am
#1181
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,372
Depending on a particular airport/country you are flying into or out of, there may be extra charges. For example, from CDG, there is a $50 luxury tax that AA is required to collect. Something similar for LHR, and perhaps into/out of HKG.
Mar 19, 2018, 11:16 am
#1182
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: The KUL city
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat, TK Elite+
Posts: 2,663
Mar 31, 2018, 9:34 pm
#1183
Join Date: Nov 2010
Programs: AA
Posts: 4
AA 192 HKG - LAX is Saturday or Sunday better for SWU
Currently booked on 192 from HKG - LAX on Saturday June 2nd with SWU wait listed (cleared on outbound on May 18 yay). I can change my flight to Sunday June 3rd and is basically cost neutral. Anyone have any data regarding SWU clearing on either Saturday or Sunday flights from Hong Kong. Would have thought Sunday would be harder, to arrive Sunday night for work Monday... but could be very wrong? EF data doesn't seem very helpful in predicting availability...
Apr 20, 2018, 4:32 am
#1185
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: San Francisco
Programs: AA EXP; Marriott BonVoy Titanium Elite, Marriott LT Plat.
Posts: 1,717
Currently booked LAX-HKG next Tuesday (May 24th). Anyone joining me? Lots of J seat are unclaimed as well as MCS too.
Hope to to have a chance to meet and greet a fellow FT member during the layover.
Hope to to have a chance to meet and greet a fellow FT member during the layover.