Differences between CX and KA
Jun 28, 2016, 4:10 am
#16
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: SYD/PEK
Programs: MPC CXGO, IHG RA
Posts: 104
A bit OT, but I can see how someone can be led to believe that they are "sold as the same airline".
How could an unsuspecting traveler possibly guess that CX360 is a CX operated flight, whereas CX6869 will be on a KA plane?
Until I figured out the 3/4 number code system on these routes, I had to hike hiking from one end of the check-in aisles to the other more than once
(why do they need to be so far apart, anyway?!)
How could an unsuspecting traveler possibly guess that CX360 is a CX operated flight, whereas CX6869 will be on a KA plane?
Until I figured out the 3/4 number code system on these routes, I had to hike hiking from one end of the check-in aisles to the other more than once
(why do they need to be so far apart, anyway?!)
Jun 29, 2016, 10:26 am
#18
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: HKG
Programs: CX DM, SPG Pt, Le Club Accor GO, Shangri-La GC Jade
Posts: 1,327
Hi all, I am based in Shanghai and I have flown quite a bit in CX J. I usually select CX over KA, because CX use a large amount of their long haul A330's on the PVG route.
As CX/KA are sold interchangeably, at least to Shanghai, I assumed that the onboard product would be the same. Yesterday I took my first KA flight from HKG - PVG and I noticed quite a lot of difference.
- No champagne offered on KA as PDB
- Different drinks options, Taittinger champagne instead of Billecart
- No hot towels on KA, just horrible smelling wipes
- No introduction from flight deck, every CX flight I have taken has featured an intro from the captain.
- Different menu on KA, I quite liked the Asian Delights option that changes every day. I thought the food was in general better than my recent experiences on CX.
- IFE on KA did not tell you how long was left on the flight (this could be isolated)
- I thought the service on KA was much warmer and friendlier than my experiences on CX.
I just thought it was strange that there was these small differences between them. Surely they have the same suppliers in HKG and it would be more cost effective to have a uniform service. Also, CX/KA operate a lot of flights to Shanghai and it seems strange to differentiate.
One other question, why would anyone pay for F on KA, when they can get the same seat on J on CX?
As CX/KA are sold interchangeably, at least to Shanghai, I assumed that the onboard product would be the same. Yesterday I took my first KA flight from HKG - PVG and I noticed quite a lot of difference.
- No champagne offered on KA as PDB
- Different drinks options, Taittinger champagne instead of Billecart
- No hot towels on KA, just horrible smelling wipes
- No introduction from flight deck, every CX flight I have taken has featured an intro from the captain.
- Different menu on KA, I quite liked the Asian Delights option that changes every day. I thought the food was in general better than my recent experiences on CX.
- IFE on KA did not tell you how long was left on the flight (this could be isolated)
- I thought the service on KA was much warmer and friendlier than my experiences on CX.
I just thought it was strange that there was these small differences between them. Surely they have the same suppliers in HKG and it would be more cost effective to have a uniform service. Also, CX/KA operate a lot of flights to Shanghai and it seems strange to differentiate.
One other question, why would anyone pay for F on KA, when they can get the same seat on J on CX?
For the two bolded items they should be the same for both CX and KA (save for KA's 320)... Others... Mostly agree
Re KA's F, you'll get vastly superior service from KA F v. CX J... You may give it a try
