CX Premium Econ - better on 3 class or 4 class plane?
 

I just wanted to ask if anybody has any opinion on whether the PE on CX is better if it's on the 3 class or 4 class 777? Somebody replied on a previous thread I started that the 4 class is always better in terms of hardware, service, etc. Is this true for PE class as well? Also, one possible upside of the 3 class is that the PE section is much closer to the nose of the plane which I think translates to less bump while the 4 class PE is already past the middle section. PE is selling at $1600 for MNL-YVR route vs. $2900 on J for the same route which I think makes PE option very attractive. Thanks very much.

Please also include in your reply if the A350 option on PE is better than the 3 or 4 class 777 as I just saw now that the A350 will be available on the HKG-YVR route starting March 2017.

4 class:
- Sat further back so longer to get off
- Sat behind the engines so noisier
+ 32H/K are the best PE seats across the fleet
+ Toilet in the cabin
- Front row has a lot of legroom but will be used as a crossing point to the toilets by other passengers

3 class:
+ Quieter as over the wings
+ Smoother as over the wings/COG
+ Less likelihood of economy passengers sneaking forward to use the toilet
- You have to use the economy toilet

I've flown CX PE dozens if not hundreds of times and I have yet to really notice any difference in service between the two to the point where i prefer one over the other.

If I can get 32H/K on the 77H I will take that, otherwise I probably prefer the 77G.

I have not yet flown PE on the A350, although the aircraft itself is very nice.

I think the biggest issue is which version of PE you get! The new A350 PE is quite different from the "old" PE - it's very square - strong similarities to regional J but with slightly smaller seats is the easiest way to describe it. At least all the seats now have proper leg-rests, unlike "old" J where only the front row does.

you mean the A350 has different PE versions? Is there any way to tell if my trip is 5 months from now? Also, it seems that the A350 (regardless of version) may be better than the 777s if it's close to a regional J from experience. Is this a correct understanding?

Cannot speak for 350 but for 777s there is also a slight difference between older and newer frames. (the newer frames have longer legrests and slimmer/clearer PTVs)

If you have a choice, you'd be silly to opt for 77G (3-class) over 77H (4-class). On the 77H, there is 1) a lot fewer people to start with in the PEY/EY cabin which means a much better crew-pax ratio; 2) dedicated lav for PEY not available on the 3-class; 3) the 'prime' seats, 31A/C, 32H/K, have better legroom compared to 30A/C/D/G/H/K on the 77G. My favorite two, 31A/C on the 77H PEY, has enough room for you to put your handcarry in front as an extra footrest, then the whole seat becomes something as comfortable as a substandard J class product. (not possible on 77G) The 77G PEY cabin is 'sandwiched' between J class and a 268-deep EY section in the back, just imagine how many people going past during boarding/waiting in the lavs/common areas during the flight...

If the seats that I highlighted above are taken, I will opt for another flight normally.

Most people exHKG would be drooling over that J price already and it will be a no brainer.

Are you stopping over in HK? Or one continuous journey? Have you consisted connection time and jet lag?

The A350 has a different version to the 777s, which all have the same seat (some have newer screens etc but the basic seat is the same).

The A350 is brand new so not many people will have flown it long haul. I have only done short haul and it looked a step up from the 777 seat.

Wow, I missed out on that. I would definitely go for $2900 in j!!! That's cheaper than ex-CMB, my goodness :p

But I thought the A350 2-4-2 PE seat will be narrower

I have no personal experience but won't the toilet right in front be unpleasant?

The door is facing forwards so you don't notice it. 30G is the one that gets the short straw as the door opens straight onto that seat.

Maybe but it looked nicer and the IFE is a massive improvement. I have only done Y on the 350 and whilst the seat is technically narrower it is much more comfortable than the 777 Y seat.

Ive flown both the 777 4cl PEY and 350 PEY and I like the old seat more to be honest. In the first row you also get a leg-rest which you can extend manually (ask FA if you don't figure our how to).

The A350 PEY leg rests are now available at every seat though which is nice if you don't get the first row. Also they can be extended automatically by pushing a button.
I believe that if you're 175cm+ in height it does'nt matter anyways since you wont be able to really use the leg rest anyways.

As for the seat comfort I found the old 777 seats to be better.

If you fancy a better IFE then go for the new 350 ones which also offer the new IFE system and bigger screens. Obviously design etc is 'newer' and 'nicer' on the 350.

thanks for all the input. the primary consideration is probably the seat comfort in terms of recline and space given that YVR-HKG is a 12 hour flight and the last comment sounded like it was still the 777 seats that had the advantage on that front. although the pictures of the PE seats on the 350 looked really much nicer than those in the 777. one thing that didn't come out is whether the 350 PE had the lavatory exclusive to it much like the 4 class 777? also, mxr, if it will eventually be the 350 that we'll choose can you recommend the best seats? thanks.

- No lavs in the A350. You can use the (pretty large) Y lavs and if crew isnt stingy also the one J lavatory. Id say that this contributes to some disturbances in the cabin as people have to open/close the curtains more often! Plus side is that you dont get the lav lights and noises...

- I'd say row's 31/32 since the first row actually doesn't have that much more foot space in front of you. For someone 180+ cm tall it means that you cant really stretch out your feet as much as you would in the row behind, where you can stick your feet below the seat in front of you. Flying the 777 I'd always try to take the first row of PEY but on the A350 the room is not that plentiful!

In the end it comes down to personal preference but I don't care too much about IFE and the old system does everything it needs to do already. The seats IMO are slightly more comfortable.

I think you should be more concerned about the flight arrival time than whether 3 or 4 class PE seats, since you would be sleeping for a lot of it and they are the same seat.

4 class - 888 - leaves HK @ 0005 lands at YVR @ 2030 - essentially sleeping on plane after a long day in Asia, land in YVR, and it's bed time again. For most people this will make them stay up all night and have jetlag issues.

3 class - 838 - leaves HK @ 1620 lands at YVR @ 1245 - leave after a short day in Asia, nap a few hours on the plane, and then landing while "fresh" and have enough rest for the rest of the day. This flight will have less jetlag issues if you can adjust accordingly.

When the a350 flight comes out, it will be leaving HK earlier and landing at YVR @ 0755, which will allow you to have a full day if you are well rested on the flight.