I am a Cathay Pacific newbie but I have done quite a bit of homework, so please bear with me.

I am planning on attempting an award ticket from Nashville to Koh Samui next year for me and my wife in first class using AAdvantage points. My routing options seem to include BNA-ORD-HKG-BKK or BNA-LAX-HKG-BKK (then when using either of those two options paying to fly from BKK to USM on Bangkok Airlines).

My question in its most basic form is would it be worth changing my routing to (for example) fly BNA-LAX-HKG instead of BNA-ORD-HKG if the change in my routing would mean that my long haul leg would be in a 747 instead of a 777?

In general, I like the idea of the ORD-HKG leg better because it would just be that much longer in Cathay first class (which we have never experienced) even though I know that is not the most direct routing to get to HKG from BNA but not if I can fly to LAX and get a significantly better first class product (a 747) for the long haul leg though.

The basis of this question is that I have read that the 747 F product might be a tiny bit better for couples than the 777 but I wasn't sure if the improvement would be worth changing my route over.

Super simplified questions (because I don't think I am explaining this very well):

1. In your opinions, is the 747 F product actually better for couples than the 777 F product?

2. If so, is it worth changing my routing to get on a Cathay 747 from LAX-HKG instead of a 777 from ORD-HKG?

Thanks for your help!

Judging from your FT name, you should go through ORD!

I haven't flown either but if I were you, I'd opt for the longer ORD-HKG flight to really experience all CX FC has to offer and still have time to sleep!

Decide on your route before you make booking. AA charge $150 to change a route. No fee to change time and date. I think only EXP can have the fee waived.

Yeah, I should stop off and catch a game!

I definitely like that idea but I just wasn't certain of the differences between a 747 and a 777 in first class on Cathay and whether it would be worth biting the bullet (flying AA first class to LAX from BNA) to get on a 747 instead if I have that option.

Good to know, thanks!

I could be mistaken but LAX-HKG (including the afternoon flight) is purely 77W.

SFO-HKG is the one that has 747s.

Ah, thanks for the clarification! My brain is a bit jumbled from everything I have been reading

I guess my original question still stands but now it's if I should route BNA-SFO-HKG instead of BNA-ORD-HKG

My wife and I have flown together several times in CX F on both the 777ER and 747. We didn't feel that there was a huge difference, although I suppose one could posit that there's a bit less traffic on the 747 due to F's position in the nose of the equipment.

On the other hand, we try to snag 1A and 2A on the 777 because of the extra privacy it offers (maybe you've already read about that here: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/15321205-post5.html). My bottom line: which F configuration you're in should not be the main factor in your route decision.

You're going to have a blast.

I tried sampling a BNA-LAX or BNA-SFO. Wow, at least 5 hours domestic US with transfer via DFW or (ironically) ORD.

Then the 12-15 hours trans-Pacific flight. Then consider another flight to Thailand.

With that, I'd pick F in ORD or even NYC with a 777 over 747. Primarily due to less travel time.

I'm sorry i can't provide comparison on the F for either aircraft.

OP should carefull go through the threads in Cathay section. There are complains about lack of maintenance of 747 on the SFO route.

Just to clarify. You may change the routing on an award (as well as time and date) at no charge if the departure and arrival cities do not change. So you do have some flexibility.

Is that for AA or OW partners award?

I know changing from JFK-NRT-HKG to JFK-HKG, all route through partners airline. there is a fee.

On an All partner award you may change routing, date and time, but NOT carrier at no charge, You cannot, for instance, change JFK-HKG on CX to JFK-NRT-HKG using AA and JL. I just completed an award trip using AA and IB originally routed DFW-MIA-MAD, then changed DFW-JFK-MAD and finally DFW-MEX-MAD all with no change fees.

Great information in here everyone, thanks a ton

i would definitely go on a 747; first of all with 9 seats vs. 6 you will presumably have a higher chance of snagging the award seats. second on a 77W, because of the bassinet positions of 2A and 2K, you wouldn't even be able to reserve adjoining window seats (1A/2A or 1K/2K) that make the most sense for couples. whereas on the 747 you would be able to reserve well in advance multiple combinations of good adjoining seats for couples (1A/1K, 2A/2K, 1A/2A, 1K/2K etc.).

personally - on the pt of maintenance of 747s - if it goes tech at the airport I am sure CX would look after you quite well as an F pax. if in the air, and there is a tech stop, that would get you a lot more time in F then on the ORD route =)