how's CX coach?
 

Hello, can someone please clue me in about the experience of coach class on Cathay? Good? Bad? Indifferent? as compared to what you would get in terms of service on a domestic airline. Thanks

Hong Kong doesn't have any domestic airlines - it's quicker to walk.

my apologies, please allow me to clarify myself.... i am trying to get an idea of the long-haul route comfort and service....

as opposed to flying new york to chicago; london to rome; tokyo to hong kong in regular coach class, how is the service on cathay from san francisco to hong kong or hong kong to sydney

But if (apology accepted) you meant compared to US domestic airlines then:

- you get food and drink for free; two meals on trans-pacific flights; you are more likely to get rice or noodles than on a US domestic flight

- the stewardesses are prettier, much younger, and much more likely to give you good service

- the legroom is OK, but not as good as MRTC

- they have IFE in all seats with about 20 channels of video and another 20 of audio to choose from; but no channel 9 as per UA.

[This message has been edited by christep (edited Mar 21, 2004).]

A long walk back from J and even further from F http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Seriously though, people who've flown it on long sectors (eg LHR-HKG; HKG-MEL) have come back with good reports.

If you have any kind of OW status, CX are also good for op UGs as they frequently oversell the most popular routes.

Since you wee so technical about the question, allow me to get technical about your reply:

On transoceanic flights operated by US based airlines, you too get 2 meals during a flight, and it's also free http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif. I may be wrong on this, but I believe that UA also serves free cocktails.

On a recent trip to London I had the pleasure to be served by a very young AA crew that looked like they just came off the Vogue pages. So I'm not sure one should generalize.

AA does have MRTC which is about 3-4 inches more than CX, but AA does not fly to HKG, so it's a moot point.

Most of the US baed airlines during transoceanic flights on 777s also have individual screens in Y, although I will admit, the choices or on demand may not be as good as CX.

Just want to be fair! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Three meals for JFK-YVR-HKG so long as there is a refeuling stop at YVR. Ditto on the same return.

Y is much better on CX than many other airlines that exist. I've done it many times earning my eay to EXP, finally.


[This message has been edited by Cygnus X-1 (edited Mar 21, 2004).]

I fly from JFK to HKG every 4-6 weeks. I used to go on CX coach (through YVR) but ever since the price of tix on AA flights has gone down, I have never looked back.

Much more comfortable in AA. I always take the JFK to NRT and transfering to CX to HKG.

It feels so claustrophobic in Y on CX. As soon as the person in front of you reclines, his seat is about 8 inches away from my face.

The food, service and FA are much better than AA though. My priority is the comfort.

Lately, CX is MUCH more filled with pass. over AA - so that also plays into the comfort ratio.

Not sure about CX compared with US carriers as I am based in NZ but I've found CX long-haul (NZ-Asia-Europe) to be the best I've ever flown in Y (together with SIA).

The much better food, beverage and IFE on CX coach make up for the legroom being somewhat less than UA E+/AA MRTC. I believe they do have adjustable headrests and at least rudimentary footrests. If I had to do a transpac in the back CX would be my first choice, unless SQ ExecEconomy was available.

If you can get the exit row then it's definitely good, but it's also the bassinet row.

The padding in the CX Y seats are IMHO better than AA's. For me, I'm only 5'10" so CX legroom is fine.

CX's food and service is superior to that of AA.

my preference for any Y class would be CX (or SQ) given the service and entertainment. however, like all good things, don't over-expect to be pampered in coach or else you'll be disappointed- it's better than most airlines, but nothing too special honestly (that is, until we talk about J or F)

one comforting thought is that I always feel welcomed on CX and never get the ugly looks when asking for water or help. most of the crew are friendly and enthusiastic (although there are some new hk recruits on recent flights i feel are substandard- OT- anyone know where cabin crew are from and % from different countries?). The crew are still the best part of CX, and that's the best part of the journey knowing you are well taken care of.