Cathay vs Korean?
 

I have to fly MNL-IAD next month in Economy and my options are Cathay or Korean. I have recent experience - for the most part favorable - of Cathay's Economy class, but have never flown it on Korean. Cathay is coming in quite a bit more expensive, and requires 2 stops compared to Korean's one. Would be interested in any views as to whether there is a substantive quality difference between the two carriers that might justify the extra cost and scheduling inconvenience.

My vote: Cathay Pacific - safe and reliable with good inflight service and IFE.

If you are going to travel more frequently in the future, HKG base is near Manila for European, China and American flights as well as oneworld alliance.

CX's IFE feature more contents and you have wider selection of English programming than Korean.

This is a huge advantage on longhaul flights.

All my colleagues who travelled on KE complained about their new prestige class used on 380 and 77W. Not even a close match to CX current J class seats. Also catering is terrible. It seems they only know how to serve bimbimbap. However if it save you one connection then might consider it

If economy class, I would choose KE over CX. I would only choose CX only on business class or even first class.

I have to say, CX long-haul economy class is not too well in my opinion. The only good thing is about their wide variety of movies and TV shows in IFE. Though, the meal, seat and service is much worse than KE in my opinion.

My friends travelled on KE previously, and they like the meal, especially the famous bibimbap. It's the traditional Korean style of meal, and it is even provided on KE economy class!

And as far as I know, KE provide a 10.6" screen while CX just 9" if you care about this a lot.

KE seat pitch is also at least 1 or 2 inches larger than what CX provides.

And yea, I don't know if this suits you or not, but to me, I never like staying on an economy seat for more than 10 hours. I feel very tired and bored without any exercise. Therefore, I would surely choose KE as both legs via ICN won't take me a long flight journey, whereas CX's HKG/ORD takes you 15 hours (and you only have 2 meals in between, you will be pretty hungry I'm 90% sure, as the 2 meals are separated by around 10 hours)

I would also choose KE especially if economy class. CX's north American gateway cities are extremely poor for immigration and connection except (maybe) SFO. So I would prepare the worst case (missed connection, etc).

KE IFE selection might be not enough, but still decent and there's power port so you can use your own device. Meal is always within some acceptable levels (not disappointing, not great) and seat pitch is 1-2 inches larger than CX. Hardware quality is the same and new even for regional flights.

Price and FFP would matter too.

Ask on the KE board about IFE...
 

I think EY class on at least some of the KE 777's serving SFO don't have AVOD, if memory serves me right. I don't know about IAD so I recommend checking. Personally if I was sitting in EY I would probably base my decision solely on stopovers/travel time, seat comfort and the IFE status, because it seems a little crazy to me to be getting worked up over the in-flight meals on EY, no matter what carrier or cuisine. CX you're guaranteed to have AVOD on your long-haul segment, whereas I don't know what plane KE will serve you to IAD.

CX's new Economy seats are pretty good. Their IFE is superb. Their meal is not that good if you like bimbimbap.

Other considerations: safety record (although Korean Air is very safe since their nightmare 90s), pilot training, what is your primary FFP, etc.

I think this is incorrect, no? I'm fairly certain I've seen different business class versions on long-haul flights on KE recently. One of them lies flat, the other slants. I have no idea where the different planes fly but I'm nearly certain they were both on long-haul flights ex-SFO. I was under the impression that at least some long-haul flights in EY have older, looping programming? Whereas newer ones have AVOD?

The slants business class in KE is fading away, and being replaced by flat beds gradually. SFO is a confirmed port with flat beds.

I will drop both.

KE - Safety first.

CX - You will need 3 stops at least (MNL>HKG>SFO/LAX/ORD/JFK>IAD).

Since you are a LH Senator, have you thought about Island Hopper (MNL>GUM>HNL>IAD)?

Have you considered or are you considering NH or QR?

agree with garykung - i will not fly korean due to their appalling safety record

QR ^

MNL-DOH-IAD .. 1 stop.

Thanks for the advice everybody. I have booked on Korean on the grounds that (i) it's only one stop; (ii) I am already a SkyPass member and (iii) they fly their new Economy Class on that route. And I think their safety issues are behind them (touch wood!)

I have a choice between CX J or KE F from WUH to JFK via HKG or ICN. Any advice is appreciated.