cutting42

Hi

I am about to have my first trip to China and can travel business class so was wondering what the best carrier was to get to China. I am fine with BA but they are often the most expensive so I wondered how Cathay were as they are cheaper but require a stopover.

Any advice to a China newbie please?

theultimateflyer

I would take Cathay if it's cheaper (as long as the timings are decent). Much better J product and you will get extra TPs from the connection too.

howbigmassive

Have a look at Finnair via HEL on an A320 and many of their routes on the new A350. It will be good for some extra tier points over going BA direct.

The only downside is the reduced Avios you'll earn on a non-BA flight, which in business and being Gold will be significant.

Jet Ranger

I did it last year on Finnair (AY). Very comfortable business class on the A350 to PVG, from LHR via HEL and the 440 TP’s for £1300, wasn’t to be sniffed at. Keep your eyes out for sales - AY often have sales to the Far East that are pretty good value....

Deltus

I would take Cathay business class at whatever price if I wasn't paying. Better LHR lounge, better hard product, better soft product, excellent lounges in HKG and more TP's.

A better question would be "how much more should I be willing to pay for CX over BA?" I'd say about £400...

Mwenenzi

QR also fly LHR-DOH-PVG
2:25 transit in DOH on the way out for the random day I looked at. 1:35 transit on the return

polochick

Cathay all the way, even if significantly more expensive. Oneworld ranking on this route for me is 1) CX, 2) QR, 3) AY and 4) BA

Sixth Freedom

At CX = GBP 2,000, BA = GBP 3,000+ I would take CX for the price advantage

At CX = GBP 2,000, BA = GBP 2,500 I would take BA for the direct flight

At CX = GBP 2,000, BA = GBP 2,000 I would take BA for the direct flight

bisonrav

If you want tier points and a cheap fare you may be able to get an ex Germany via Doha and Colombo on Sri Lankan.

dodgeflyer

Take it. I’ve never been able to get CX cheaper even with the connection... and this without negotiated agreements.

LoveHateRelationship

Do you prefer hopping over someone/have someone hop over you in CW or having direct aisle access in a herringbone layout?

Also, HKG has amazing CX lounges, since you're BA Gold, you can try out the cabanas at the Wing F. That alone is worth a trip to the Wing. Don't think of the BA CCR Cabanas.

stevie

Also better timings than BA for jet lag. Find that BA flight tough for jet lag.

EuropeToAsia

My personal view:

Cathay
+ my preferred airline for this region, HKG very convenient, often good prices, good timings for longhaul flight
- the last leg HKG-PVG can be horrible due to China mainland delays, especially if you get a Cathay Dragon flight the standard can be well below Cathay mainline (bus boarding, A320 instead of A330, etc.)

BA
+ direct flight
- price can be high, fewer TPs, bad timing for longhaul flight

AY
+ often cheap, best connection with a longhaul into PVG, after upgrading fleet now very nice onboard product
- not as much redundancy if things go pear shaped (small fleet)

Prospero

The BA169 is a tough one but I cannot find a HKG connecting option that would be gentler jetlag wise

MP001

Cathay my choice .
Good product and great lounges in HK