For what it's worth, I've received an onboard greeting every flight since hitting GO except for one flight in which I got on at the last minute (got to the airport early and asked for an earlier flight). This includes JFK-HKG in J and HKG-TPE in Y, so a pretty good mix of flights.

Several recent regional flights (HKG - BKK (x2), SGN and NRT) that I can report on. All in Y.

4 out of 8 flights had a plane change (2 of which were HKG-BKK-HKG). In all three cases I was reassigned a different seat - a rubbish seat. Why is it so difficult for CX to assign the right plane from the start or - if they really have to change planes - to assign an equivalent seat?

The service was very inconsistent to say the least. Absolutely depends on the particular crew or crew member. Don't they have checklists, i.e. how often does the drinks cart come by? How many minutes (sometimes hours) until the trays are cleared? etc.

Generally I found the equipment to be in a very poor state. None of the TVs worked properly, either the brightness did not work or, in most cases, the video was grainy like an old VHS which has been played 1000 times. On one flight the TV did not work at all. All flights seemed to have problems with the toilets, i.e. a toilet was out of use and permanently locked or make-shift repairs (duct tape etc) were visible.

I found that the Airbuses were generally in worse shape than the Boeings.

So to answer the question at the top of the thread: No, I do not think that things have improved. CX is just as bad as before.

I think its true that the regional A330 fleet is in desperate need of refurbishment

The greetings and "special treatments" are really crew dependent. My recent JFK-HKG in J (as a GO), none of the FA/SP addressed me by my lastname when serving drinks/food or when I requested anything. Of course, I got the lastname greeting from the ISM but that is sort of expected in J, regardless of status. On my prior flight into JFK from HKG via YVR, I flew in Y and the SP actually came and thanked me for flying CX and all that sweet talk. Then again, she's probably YVR based but on this trip the FA's in Y was actually better than those in J!

I've had similar experiences as well, even though I'm a QF SG (sapphire). That other time when I flew with my friend, she asked me why they addressed me by name even during meal services and she didn't get the same treatment...

Cos you a a potential cash cow.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=I-QHNXsbyMw

cathay new economy class video trip report!!!

Just flew CX 830 last week. As GO, I was greeted by ISM and FA, and I was given a bottle of Evian. My wife who was travelling with me also got one. She was amused at the constant "Mr. divemtt" treatment from the FAs.
After the meal, everyone was issued a snack pack. I actually prefer the Bonaqua to Evian, as I generally prefer any R-O water to spring water.
I was stuck in the middle (40E) and the ISM moved the lady next to me, so I could spread out a bit.
Service was excellent and I will continue to fly CX as my preferred airline.

Yeah, the service is inconsistent indeed. I think there is another thread on this too. As a DM flying Y on the SFO-HKG route, the FA's don't really address me as with Mr aeroflyer88 anymore for the past year now. Occasionally, just like the flight, I do get some priority on the food. It makes me wondering about their consistency when GO gets better service in other routes.

As a BA Gold (emerald) flying in Y Lhr-hkg-pen was pleasantly surprised by friendliness and good service similar to that in the first post.

Addressed by name. Bottle of water (Evian). Full flights do no seat change and no priority food but the little bit of buttering up helped make me feel a bit better in the Y seat