I just checked the fleet for 19-28FEB on the following routes.

HKG-SFO 872
34C except: 343 on 19FEB, 34S on 22FEB

HKG-LHR 255
74B
HKG-LHR 251
74B
except: 74J on 24FEB, 744 on 25FEB, 27FEB

HKG-SYD 101
333

HKG-SYD 111
74B except: 333 on 19FEB,23FEB

HKG-YYZ 828
34C except: 343 on 19FEB, 21FEB, 34S on 20FEB

HKG-CDG 261
74B

so there's no way to distinguish between 747 with the new J and one with the old J, if both are given 74B?

I also came across 343 on SFO-HKG in early Jan., which had the old J and the old F. I wonder if this has already been revamped.

CX has designated the ones with the new Business Class (and of course, Betsy First Class) aircrafts as :

34C for the A340-300 , and 744 for the 747-400.

Note that this code is only available through direct access on CX's seat map system or through CX res only. Normal CRS will only display 343 or 744 on their computer systems.

Thank you, Guy Betsy. So, even HKG-LHR gets 744 only very infrequently?

Flying Pig et al,

Thanks for those tail numbers! That is exactly what I was looking for. No way to call the res agent or airport MOD before departure and know which one was assigned at CX is there?

Likewise thanks for all the clarification on exact designations for each type of configuration...Maybe these will help me make more informed decisions when trying to see if it is worth taking out 60,000 miles to upgrade to Europe from Korea...

By the way Chiangi, I was in F class SFO- HKong in late January and that was an old configuration up front as well. Dissappointing and NOT worth the full F class fare my company paid. That was Jan. 29th I think..

You're welcome Attila123! I'm not sure if the res agents have access to rego info of the day's flight. Its probably such a rare question that they don't know how to access that info!
Try posting your flight itinerary here and I'm sure someone (incl. myself) will be more than willing to check it up for you if possible. Do bear in mind though that any info given is subject to change, they tend to swap planes around at the very last minute. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Ok Flying Pig and anyone else who can help...

I will be on this Friday's (Feb 22)Rome-Hong Kong
CX 292... It is coded as just 343 on CX internet res system.

This is actually the turnaround for the preceding Thursday night (Feb 21) CX flight 293 so what ever plane makes the outboung CX 293 will be the return flight I am on Friday CX 292....

When will the post the tail number for CX 292's actual equipment?

Thanks!!

The one way to be sure is to pull up a seatmap for your flight. Each of the four A340 configurations have a different number of business class seats.

If the flight you're on has a total of 30 seats in J, then it's the new business class seats.

Attila123, info which I have shows its B-HXG, which is a 343, old F and old J, unfortunately.

Keep your fingers crossed, they might just do a last-minute change.

Same thing on the seatmap viewer. 40 seats in J, which makes it the 340-300 with no new seats of any kind.

Plato90s I dont get could results was those seatmaps as they change it so much but thank you for your help. Flying Pig how where did you get the actual tail number from? Thanks!Do you know a airport MOD telephone number or CX information line (maybe its just for staff like o some carriers) that could verify that was the actual equipment used after it takes of from HKong? Thanks everyone for the assistance

I'll see if I can verify whether its really a 343 or something else after 293 on the 21st takes off.

Its still showing B-HXG (343) at this moment.

Flying Pig

How do you get those tail numbers in advance can I ask? Any word on the actual plane for 293 on 21st?

Thanks

Hey this is great, I'm so excited for you!!!!

It is now 1940 on the 21st HKG time and CX 293 is meant to depart at 2345 HKG time and guess what? They've made a last minute change! The system shows that its B-HXO, a 34C with the new J!!!!

Hopefully they won't change it again.... as to how I get this info, I'd like to keep it a little secret, but rest assured that its not a public website or any phone numbers.

Make sure you tell us all about your experience!

Sweet!

Thanks for all your help Flying Pig!
And everyone remember that once you check in via internet you have to call the E Services desk to change..The Marco Polo Club line can not even see your new seat assignment was checked in..

Gracias All I will report on my first time in the new J class
--

Thanks Flying Pig and everyone for their help!

Sure enough it was the B-HXO Airbus that you believed Flying Pig…I would really like to know how you get those tail numbers!

The new J class is an excellent product. I am a jaded decade old elite flyer and it still was good enough to change the traveling experience particularly on a 12 hour flight. The best things are the seat design and the CX Studio on demand that will pause and play movies when you want. Also the number of singing artists on the selectable list was astounding. Perhaps the best appreciated item though was the cheapest—the additional pull out tray under the movie screen. I was very impressed with this new cabin. The problem though is of course one can not be guaranteed the new configuration so if I travel on personal as opposed to business money I am not sure I would pay for the old style business cabin. Until CX has a way of assuring you will get the new cabin I will remain in back on my own money but luckily my company pay for biz and first when I travel for work.

One small bad news was the plane was packed and many of the J customers were sent to the Betsey F seats(!) for upgrade. For some odd reason my FF number dropped out of the record (this is true as the check in clerk showed me the screen) and when the computer did the scan for upgrades to F it didn’t see my Gold status which would have but me up there. The MOD had already given out the seats and was sorry he said. How my FF number dropped out of the record I have no ideas as I even did internet check in, but maybe the equipment change did it….

Thanks all for there help!

When in Seoul I invite you for coffee..