Rant: Decline in customer experience SFO-HKG
Apr 22, 2012, 6:58 pm
#16
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: CX, UA, Shangri-La, Hyatt, Starwood
Posts: 7,708
The OW lounge at LAX has its own overcrowding issues, and the gate areas are simply disaster zones. I'm just surprised that when CX built their OWN lounge at SFO that they're promoting they made it too small. The lounge definitely is nicer than the old BA lounge everyone used to use, but it accommodates fewer people and the lounge boarding (which was a really convenient perk) is now gone.
Apr 22, 2012, 7:42 pm
#17
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: CX, UA, Shangri-La, Hyatt, Starwood
Posts: 7,708
Yea you're probably right. But the folks at CX still had the option (I think?) to keep using the BA lounge, particularly because it was staffed by CX personnel prior to the departure of the CX flights. Unless BA was kicking CX out for some reason. The new CX lounge is in fact a very nice lounge, it's just too small if 74A is full (or if, in the future there is an overlapping flight or two).
Apr 22, 2012, 9:03 pm
#18
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My advice to OP is simple - OP has to think that it is a CX issue or 747 issue.
CX has been in the media several due to its 747s issue.
But you have to think about this clearly - blaming Boeing or CX for all issues.
For the same route, UA uses 744 as well. So in other word, unless you go to SQ, you may end up with the same situation (assuming you blame Boeing).
If you think it is a CX issue, do you think you should discuss that with CX before jumping the gun?
As a matter of fact, it does surprise a lot of people, especially when comparing CX's presence between SFO and JFK.
And more surprise is - CX even make a Youtube video to promote SFO lounge.
CX has been in the media several due to its 747s issue.
But you have to think about this clearly - blaming Boeing or CX for all issues.
For the same route, UA uses 744 as well. So in other word, unless you go to SQ, you may end up with the same situation (assuming you blame Boeing).
If you think it is a CX issue, do you think you should discuss that with CX before jumping the gun?
And more surprise is - CX even make a Youtube video to promote SFO lounge.
Last edited by garykung; Apr 24, 2012 at 6:04 pm
Apr 24, 2012, 2:03 am
#19
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: San Francisco, where else?
Programs: EXP,EX-CK 2.5mm, now lifetime Platinum, ex-UA1K, Marriott- Platinum, Hertz 5*
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This is NOT a 744 issue.... the issue is poorly maintained seats and in flight entertainment systems that are clearly at the end of their service life and need updating or replacement. I LOVE the 744 - it's the best ride in the sky (commercial) and I love the upper deck.
My issue is they are deferring maintenance as they phase these old birds out. If they are going to do that, my new favorite ride is the 777....
My issue is they are deferring maintenance as they phase these old birds out. If they are going to do that, my new favorite ride is the 777....
Apr 24, 2012, 2:28 am
#20
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 91
This is NOT a 744 issue.... the issue is poorly maintained seats and in flight entertainment systems that are clearly at the end of their service life and need updating or replacement. I LOVE the 744 - it's the best ride in the sky (commercial) and I love the upper deck.
My issue is they are deferring maintenance as they phase these old birds out. If they are going to do that, my new favorite ride is the 777....
My issue is they are deferring maintenance as they phase these old birds out. If they are going to do that, my new favorite ride is the 777....
Unfortunately it seems so, just waiting for the 744s to have their last breath and then send them to the desert, so sad... I don't know what CX management are thinking, but I just want to know what are their fleet/product plans. Right now it is quite a mess with such a difference between different planes and airports.
Apr 24, 2012, 2:33 am
#21
Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member
Posts: 19,807
This is NOT a 744 issue.... the issue is poorly maintained seats and in flight entertainment systems that are clearly at the end of their service life and need updating or replacement. I LOVE the 744 - it's the best ride in the sky (commercial) and I love the upper deck.
My issue is they are deferring maintenance as they phase these old birds out. If they are going to do that, my new favorite ride is the 777....
My issue is they are deferring maintenance as they phase these old birds out. If they are going to do that, my new favorite ride is the 777....
Apr 24, 2012, 3:48 am
#22
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: CX, UA, Shangri-La, Hyatt, Starwood
Posts: 7,708
Apr 24, 2012, 5:21 am
#23
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Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,233
Does the CX lounge have the huge 1.5L bottles of water that you can take with you on the plane? That was my favorite part about the BA lounges. I'd drink one bottle in the lounge then take one on the plane. I never felt dehydrated upon arriving in HKG even with a couple bottles of Krug in my system!
Apr 27, 2012, 9:29 am
#25
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Join Date: May 2008
Location: San Francisco, where else?
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Poorly maintained 747's are killing the Cathay Brand
I just flew back from HKG to SFO in first class last night. And guess what.... one of the two restrooms in F was broken! I asked the flight attendant about it and she said that she checked the log and that the lavatory had been broken for 3 days. She was frustrated with the maintenance poeple at HKG. She agreed that there are a LOT of issues now on the Cathay 747's and that they need to either replace them or maintain them. Right now they are doing neither in an expeditious manner.
Apr 27, 2012, 11:25 am
#26
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Always on the move
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It can be...depends how you play it...Since I transfer in from LAS for my HKG flight, I usually head to the AA and hang out in the FL lounge (Emerald), then time it out before walking over to the TBIT.....I end up in the OW lounge about 15-20 minutes prior to boarding so I will check the food out, what bottles of adult bevs are out and then settle on a snack with a glass or two of bubbly.....then off to the gate.
If you are not connecting, (and have access to the FL in LAX), SFO is better than dealing with zoo that is known to be TBIT......
?If you are not connecting, (and have access to the FL in LAX), SFO is better than dealing with zoo that is known to be TBIT......
Apr 27, 2012, 9:26 pm
#27
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: skudai, Johor
Posts: 417
It can be...depends how you play it...Since I transfer in from LAS for my HKG flight, I usually head to the AA and hang out in the FL lounge (Emerald), then time it out before walking over to the TBIT.....I end up in the OW lounge about 15-20 minutes prior to boarding so I will check the food out, what bottles of adult bevs are out and then settle on a snack with a glass or two of bubbly.....then off to the gate.
If you are not connecting, (and have access to the FL in LAX), SFO is better than dealing with zoo that is known to be TBIT......
If you are not connecting, (and have access to the FL in LAX), SFO is better than dealing with zoo that is known to be TBIT......
Apr 27, 2012, 10:27 pm
#28
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Always on the move
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Posts: 1,867
Just an FYi..here in LAS, the new terminal will be done in 2 months.
Apr 27, 2012, 10:45 pm
#29
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For those haven't experienced it, lots of SFO lounge pics and commentary at the beginning of my recent TR.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-...380-first.html
Last edited by SFO777; Apr 27, 2012 at 10:50 pm