HKG-PEK or PEK-HKG in KA F
Jul 20, 2018, 9:16 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2015
Programs: MPC SL
Posts: 110
HKG-PEK or PEK-HKG in KA F
Looking to redeem one way in F and one way in Y on this route.
Is there any difference between the flights in HKG-PEK or PEK-HKG?
I understand flying HKG-PEK in F will give me access to the lounges in Hong Kong. Besides that, anything else I should consider when making the decision?
Thank you in advance!
Is there any difference between the flights in HKG-PEK or PEK-HKG?
I understand flying HKG-PEK in F will give me access to the lounges in Hong Kong. Besides that, anything else I should consider when making the decision?
Thank you in advance!
Jul 20, 2018, 9:48 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2015
Programs: MPC SL
Posts: 110
Yes I can either do both ways in J or a combination of F and Y. Just thought I would try the F since I visit the F lounges in HK too.
And the regional J doesnt sound that exciting to me...
Jul 20, 2018, 9:53 pm
#4
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: CX, UA, Shangri-La, Hyatt, Starwood
Posts: 7,708
I haven't flown KA F to PEK this year. But I have flown KA F on the return recently, and to/from PVG. I can't fully remember but you basically get a amuse bouche, full lunch meal, and excellent service on the early afternoon return. I think excluding amuse bouche and dessert there were three courses: appetizer, soup and main. But just remember it's really the CX longhaul J seats in KA F. Personally I still find F worth it, the KA crews are great and I hate the regional J seats. But just fyi.
i still think CX is the easy choice if timing works, even though the soft product sucks because you just get so much space to work and eat at the same time. At least these are my considerations. The hard product is very comfortable and I can bang through work plus drink water / coffee, and get up out of my seat to use the restroom without any contortions. The seat is huge. I really appreciate that on the short flights. Of course CX F to/from PEK is only once daily so the timings have to work, and therefore more often than not I'm on KA.
Jul 20, 2018, 10:28 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2015
Programs: MPC SL
Posts: 110
Ex-HKG, you should try to fly CX F to PEK, which is running this season. It is a much better hard product than KA. The breakfast service on board is lame (same as longhaul CX J, just with better plating). But I really like the extra space given how wide CX F is. I can read, take notes, do work and still eat my breakfast / drink coffee. I last did the CX flight a few months ago.
I haven't flown KA F to PEK this year. But I have flown KA F on the return recently, and to/from PVG. I can't fully remember but you basically get a amuse bouche, full lunch meal, and excellent service on the early afternoon return. I think excluding amuse bouche and dessert there were three courses: appetizer, soup and main. But just remember it's really the CX longhaul J seats in KA F. Personally I still find F worth it, the KA crews are great and I hate the regional J seats. But just fyi.
i still think CX is the easy choice if timing works, even though the soft product sucks because you just get so much space to work and eat at the same time. At least these are my considerations. The hard product is very comfortable and I can bang through work plus drink water / coffee, and get up out of my seat to use the restroom without any contortions. The seat is huge. I really appreciate that on the short flights. Of course CX F to/from PEK is only once daily so the timings have to work, and therefore more often than not I'm on KA.
I haven't flown KA F to PEK this year. But I have flown KA F on the return recently, and to/from PVG. I can't fully remember but you basically get a amuse bouche, full lunch meal, and excellent service on the early afternoon return. I think excluding amuse bouche and dessert there were three courses: appetizer, soup and main. But just remember it's really the CX longhaul J seats in KA F. Personally I still find F worth it, the KA crews are great and I hate the regional J seats. But just fyi.
i still think CX is the easy choice if timing works, even though the soft product sucks because you just get so much space to work and eat at the same time. At least these are my considerations. The hard product is very comfortable and I can bang through work plus drink water / coffee, and get up out of my seat to use the restroom without any contortions. The seat is huge. I really appreciate that on the short flights. Of course CX F to/from PEK is only once daily so the timings have to work, and therefore more often than not I'm on KA.
Any specific afternoon/evening flights that are better or worse? Or is there a specific flight that tends to be less full, which probably translates to better service?
Jul 20, 2018, 10:40 pm
#6
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: CX, UA, Shangri-La, Hyatt, Starwood
Posts: 7,708
Thanks for the ideas. Seems like CX F is only available for the morning flight, so the afternoon/evening KA flights might be better so I can hop around lounges at HKG before jumping on the flight.
Any specific afternoon/evening flights that are better or worse? Or is there a specific flight that tends to be less full, which probably translates to better service?
The later in the day you go to PEK, the more you increase your odds of a delay.
Jul 21, 2018, 6:32 pm
#7
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: HKG/HND/OOL
Programs: QF Emerald. SQ Gold.
Posts: 3,171
i see you have asked about F lounge access on same trip on lounge thread. just my 2 cents HK F lounge isnt something THAT god of a sanctury such that you must do a mixed F/Y to sample
if i were you i just stick to both J... cuz due to likely delay you face anyhow sitting in J vs Y during delay or ATC circling is so much more comfortable
if i were you i just stick to both J... cuz due to likely delay you face anyhow sitting in J vs Y during delay or ATC circling is so much more comfortable
Jul 21, 2018, 7:07 pm
#8
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,057
This is what I was getting at in post 2. I'm not a fan of the biz seats, but they are certainly better than economy seats, and aren't too far short of cirrus seats when the mission is sitting.