CX New strategy rollout in 2017
May 24, 2017, 2:26 pm
#256
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: ROC/NYC/MSP/LAX/HKG/SIN
Posts: 3,212
Such a same to read this. CX had a lot going on for them, the most important was the word of mouth, how people use to talk about CX and how it was an amazing flight experience. This is something that is priceless to companies. It's a shame to see how their management did not adjust to change in market and therefore lost any competitive advantage they had.
It use to be a joy to get on a CX flight- Wonderful soft and hard product. But the soft product is subpar lately, the hard product is outdated and no longer cost efficient for customers to choose CX over AA.
Truth be told- on Friday- I am taking AA LAX-HKG in J, a route I would normally take on CX- But I dare anyone to challenge that AA is worse than CX-
AA Food quality has improved, they offer mattress pads (CX Does not), PJ's and a decent amenity kit. All for a better price.
I will obviously have a better opinion next week when I complete my leg- But AA IMO is a better option, CX should have never let this happen and they have to stop blaming the fuel storage issue.
It use to be a joy to get on a CX flight- Wonderful soft and hard product. But the soft product is subpar lately, the hard product is outdated and no longer cost efficient for customers to choose CX over AA.
Truth be told- on Friday- I am taking AA LAX-HKG in J, a route I would normally take on CX- But I dare anyone to challenge that AA is worse than CX-
AA Food quality has improved, they offer mattress pads (CX Does not), PJ's and a decent amenity kit. All for a better price.
I will obviously have a better opinion next week when I complete my leg- But AA IMO is a better option, CX should have never let this happen and they have to stop blaming the fuel storage issue.
Moreover, what you say is true. Nowadays if they smile and keep great eye contacts, I'd do the best to appreciate them. When we talk about US FAs could have a bad day, CX FAs could have a bad day too.
Last edited by PaulInTheSky; May 24, 2017 at 2:58 pm
May 24, 2017, 7:03 pm
#257
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: None any more
Posts: 11,017
You're asking them to be remarkable knowledgable of your cultural background to expect that - there are many cultures in which sustained eye contact (particularly from a "servant" to the person served) is inappropriate, particularly if the "servant" is female and the person served is male.
How are the cabin crew supposed to know whether you would welcome extended eye contact or be severely offended by it?
How are the cabin crew supposed to know whether you would welcome extended eye contact or be severely offended by it?
May 24, 2017, 8:49 pm
#258
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: ROC/NYC/MSP/LAX/HKG/SIN
Posts: 3,212
You're asking them to be remarkable knowledgable of your cultural background to expect that - there are many cultures in which sustained eye contact (particularly from a "servant" to the person served) is inappropriate, particularly if the "servant" is female and the person served is male.
How are the cabin crew supposed to know whether you would welcome extended eye contact or be severely offended by it?
How are the cabin crew supposed to know whether you would welcome extended eye contact or be severely offended by it?
May 25, 2017, 5:19 am
#259
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: HKG/HND/OOL
Programs: QF Emerald. SQ Gold.
Posts: 3,170
problem is competitor will always price just marginally below knowing most corp policy require "cheapest logical J"
for example for my fim, HKG Tokyo allow business but they want me to fly NRT on HX! so i can only fly to cx HND if i choose to on PEY only if chaper than prevailing HX business!
cx is screwed. thei business model was going to be doomed they had decade to prepare yet being complacent now they lost the plot
for example for my fim, HKG Tokyo allow business but they want me to fly NRT on HX! so i can only fly to cx HND if i choose to on PEY only if chaper than prevailing HX business!
cx is screwed. thei business model was going to be doomed they had decade to prepare yet being complacent now they lost the plot
May 25, 2017, 6:41 am
#260
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 192
Here's a comparison of J fares for YYZ-HKG for mid late November 2017.
(14/11/2017 YYZ-HKG with return on 21/11/2017 HKG-YYZ)
CX (as well as AC) J is significantly more expensive than several other options including MU, HU, BA/AY combo, TK, AA and KE. The only difference is that CX (and AC) are direct non-stop. That's a huge premium for this convenience.
Many companies now require their employees to fly the cheapest fare on the most logical itinerary. 1-stop vs. non-stop is often not in the consideration so long as the departure and arrival times to be "acceptable".
The 10-hour layover in IST may be "painful" but TK offers free local tours for long transit passengers.
*
(14/11/2017 YYZ-HKG with return on 21/11/2017 HKG-YYZ)
CX (as well as AC) J is significantly more expensive than several other options including MU, HU, BA/AY combo, TK, AA and KE. The only difference is that CX (and AC) are direct non-stop. That's a huge premium for this convenience.
Many companies now require their employees to fly the cheapest fare on the most logical itinerary. 1-stop vs. non-stop is often not in the consideration so long as the departure and arrival times to be "acceptable".
The 10-hour layover in IST may be "painful" but TK offers free local tours for long transit passengers.
*
With CX you save 4 hours by going non-stop. For most business travellers, that would decide it. I'm not paying my own fare, and it is in the business' interest that I am in reasonable shape when I arrive.
Even if you have a boss who insists you take the cheapest fare, the only fare you would consider in that example is China Eastern. I don't want to work for any boss who would make me take a 10 hour layover in Istanbul on a 29 hour trip to save $1200.
And I wouldn't be super keen on China Eastern despite the fare. For one, not sure I trust their safety record or pilots. Also given the state of Chinese airspace, you can probably add a 4 hour delay onto that journey.
It's different for leisure travellers, I get that. But my point is CX can justify a premium on many routes, at least for business travellers.
May 25, 2017, 7:56 pm
#262
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: ROC/NYC/MSP/LAX/HKG/SIN
Posts: 3,212
Interesting but I'm not sure that example supports your case.
With CX you save 4 hours by going non-stop. For most business travellers, that would decide it. I'm not paying my own fare, and it is in the business' interest that I am in reasonable shape when I arrive.
Even if you have a boss who insists you take the cheapest fare, the only fare you would consider in that example is China Eastern. I don't want to work for any boss who would make me take a 10 hour layover in Istanbul on a 29 hour trip to save $1200.
And I wouldn't be super keen on China Eastern despite the fare. For one, not sure I trust their safety record or pilots. Also given the state of Chinese airspace, you can probably add a 4 hour delay onto that journey.
It's different for leisure travellers, I get that. But my point is CX can justify a premium on many routes, at least for business travellers.
With CX you save 4 hours by going non-stop. For most business travellers, that would decide it. I'm not paying my own fare, and it is in the business' interest that I am in reasonable shape when I arrive.
Even if you have a boss who insists you take the cheapest fare, the only fare you would consider in that example is China Eastern. I don't want to work for any boss who would make me take a 10 hour layover in Istanbul on a 29 hour trip to save $1200.
And I wouldn't be super keen on China Eastern despite the fare. For one, not sure I trust their safety record or pilots. Also given the state of Chinese airspace, you can probably add a 4 hour delay onto that journey.
It's different for leisure travellers, I get that. But my point is CX can justify a premium on many routes, at least for business travellers.
May 25, 2017, 10:46 pm
#263
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 192
Just tried a similar exercise for a MEL-HKG return in about 90 days' time.
There are 3 non-stop options: CX (cheapest J is AUD$4183), VA ($4447) or QF ($6272).
Everything else is one stop.
Adding about 3.5 hours each way is PR ($2983) and SQ ($3506). Adding 5 hours each way is QF ($3582), VN ($3760) and TG ($3206). Adding 6-7 hours each way is BI ($2354), MH ($2940), GA ($3235).
No credible competition from China, cheapest is AC for $5976 and an extra 7.5 hours each way.
So CX has it over QF in the direct flights. VA is close but doesn't fly every day. In my experience, CX has dropped its cheapest J fares on this route over the last year or two - they used to be $5k or more.
The most competitive budget option is PR, but even then you are wasting 7 hours to save $1200. Will be a closer call once PR introduces lie-flat seats mid-2017, but with a stop you are less likely to get a decent sleep anyway. I would still rather go CX PEY for $2345 and cross my fingers for an upgrade.
There are 3 non-stop options: CX (cheapest J is AUD$4183), VA ($4447) or QF ($6272).
Everything else is one stop.
Adding about 3.5 hours each way is PR ($2983) and SQ ($3506). Adding 5 hours each way is QF ($3582), VN ($3760) and TG ($3206). Adding 6-7 hours each way is BI ($2354), MH ($2940), GA ($3235).
No credible competition from China, cheapest is AC for $5976 and an extra 7.5 hours each way.
So CX has it over QF in the direct flights. VA is close but doesn't fly every day. In my experience, CX has dropped its cheapest J fares on this route over the last year or two - they used to be $5k or more.
The most competitive budget option is PR, but even then you are wasting 7 hours to save $1200. Will be a closer call once PR introduces lie-flat seats mid-2017, but with a stop you are less likely to get a decent sleep anyway. I would still rather go CX PEY for $2345 and cross my fingers for an upgrade.
May 26, 2017, 12:20 am
#265
Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member
Posts: 19,803
May 26, 2017, 12:28 am
#266
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: CX Green, QF Platinum, BAEC Silver, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 10,780
May 28, 2017, 1:34 am
#269
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: CX, UA, Shangri-La, Hyatt, Starwood
Posts: 7,708
Our ability to earn Club Points honestly doesn't crack the top 100 (500? 1000?) most important things a company like CX will be addressing with their restructuring. Much much bigger fish to fry when they say restructure. Mainly cost related.
May 28, 2017, 7:33 pm
#270
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: MNL
Programs: CX MPO DM, Le Club Accor Platinum, World of Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 2,284
Plus under the new system I don't even have to do any sector runs like in the past.