how's CX coach?
Mar 21, 2004 | 5:17 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2003
Location: one of the US minor outlying areas
Posts: 729
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
Mar 21, 2004 | 5:31 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2003
Location: one of the US minor outlying areas
Posts: 729
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
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
Mar 21, 2004 | 5:33 am
#4
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Location: Hong Kong
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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).]
- 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).]
Mar 21, 2004 | 8:50 am
#5
Join Date: Mar 2002
Programs: QF Platinum (OW Emerald); QF Lifestime Silver; BD Diamond Club Gold (*A Gold)
Posts: 4,786
A long walk back from J and even further from F 
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.
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.
Mar 21, 2004 | 9:06 am
#6
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by christep:
- 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.
</font>
- 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.
</font>
On transoceanic flights operated by US based airlines, you too get 2 meals during a flight, and it's also free
. 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!
Mar 21, 2004 | 11:17 am
#7
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by christep:
two meals on trans-pacific flights</font>
two meals on trans-pacific flights</font>
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).]
Mar 21, 2004 | 12:35 pm
#8
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: NY - AA 1.8MM EXP, DL 1MM---macmedia1_at_yahoo.com
Posts: 42
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.
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.
Mar 21, 2004 | 5:55 pm
#10
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: NYC
Programs: BAEC Silver, AA LTP 2MM
Posts: 3,358
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.
Mar 22, 2004 | 9:20 pm
#13
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 18
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.
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.