Best flight to JFK?
 

Hey guys,

I recently redeemed my first CX F award from HKG to JFK but am debating whether to change my flight (currently on CX840). There's availability on CX830, CX840 and CX888 on the day I want to travel, and all of them work with my connecting flight from PVG. Which flight would you prefer? Are there any differences between these services in terms of the in-flight experience? I know that for CX888 you have to wait in a holding pen at YVR and depending on when you arrive it could be a lengthy wait. However, being an 18-hour flight, do they serve an extra meal on CX888?

Thanks for your input! :)

I've done all of them. Hard to say which, it's personal. For me I'd avoid 888 due to the annoying connection but I've seen some regulars on here who love it. So to each their own.

888: "extra" meal is indeed served ex YVR, but it is small. I remember a lovely crab appetizer....as the ONLY appetizer...recently. You should not take this for extra catering IMO. And everyone who boards in YVR is going to conk straight out.

830: most daytime "maximization". I'm rarely tired on this flight and frequently can stay up the whole time. Fwiw, my experience is everyone still usually puts the shades down, and you may be asked to as well, you can always say no they're yours to decide. I had a fellow last year in 1A proactively close my first blind in 2A while I was sitting there, and then I found him closing my other two when I returned from the restroom! Anyway, just fyi. First meal on 830 is lunch.

840/846: I cannot recall if 846 has an abbreviated supper loading or not. 840 definitely doesnt. Check the F menus. Anyway, these flights are similar I'd just base it on your PVG flight and/or dinners in HK or NY. 846 has zero chance of making dinner in the city, 840 you can do a late one if the flight isn't delayed and Van wyck traffic cooperates.

Just did 846 last month, it was a full supper menu, but second meal was breakfast while the arrival time in NY was 10:30pm.

I always take CX830 due to the better arrival time into NYC. Traffic during early part of afternoon isn't too bad so usually I will reach Manhattan from JFK within 30-45 mins. I can still have half the day to do what I what and have a nice dinner with friends/colleagues. FYI CX830 serves lunch and dinner.

Thanks guys for the detailed responses! :)

CX830 seems to be the best option as an individual flight but would require an overnight layover at HKG for me (don't really want to do a stopover as I will have been in HK 3 weeks prior to this trip). Going to keep my booking as is and fly CX840.

I did CX840 in F last week. I can confirm the menu on 840 and 846 is identical. The notation at the bottom of the menu shows that it is used for both flights.

Personally, I think 840 is the better timed flight. You can work a half day in HK and arrive in NY in time to get to your hotel (or home) and be ready to do the next day. 846's 10 pm arrival means a fairly late arrival to your hotel or home (even later if your destination is somewhere other than NYC proper).

Take into consideration that immigration and customs during the arrival times of CX 830/CX840 is a big mess!

Not the last time I took 830. We arrived before the BA flight so it was a breeze. Counted myself lucky for sure.:D