CX J or BA F
 

Sounds crazy but I am debating the following-

TLV-HKG CX J (revenue ticket)

TLV- xLHR - HKG BA F (Avios / AM)

1. Crazy backtracking on BA I know but i like the evening Europe departure for an afternoon arrival into HKG. I find it helps with jetlag. I also haven't really experienced the BA F product that much.

2. In terms of money, I feel they are equivalent as I will be buying a ex-CMB, so the TLV-HKG leg on CX J will be worth c.US$1,300 on my calcs. Similarly, using miles, BA F costs say ~130,000 + taxes. Whilst not that much accounting for the cost I pay per mile, it is still a fair slug in absolute terms (e.g. can buy a whole bunch of SQ J tickets for me).

3. CX J product is good, but I'm a little bored of it at the moment...

So crazy enough I'm leaning to BA F. But the absolute cost per miles is still a big slug (and I need 2 pax)...

Which would you recommend?

BA F is better than CX J definitely, both in terms of hard product and soft product. However, TLV-LHR-HKG is almost twice as long TLV-HKG so I'm leaning towards the direct flight.

If you want something new, why not try El Al, new product on 787, better timing?

not really an option for me due to redemption availability and not in OW alliance (if i was paying revenue would want it to credit at least...)

Did you check the amount of BA taxes ? Could be a shock.

BA F is one of the best business classes around. They put 14 seats in the nose of a 747 where around 8 seem to be standard, Their service is also subpar in my opinion. If you never experienced F on BA then this might be an alternative. But if you are familiar with F on AF, LH, LX, NH, SQ... you will be very disappointed.

Hi,
BA fly the A380 and 777 to HKG ( I personally prefer the A380 in F)- I think it would be the 777 from TLV-LHR ( For F class)

Regards

TBS

If you're bored of CX J, then why not do BA F.

It is a very good business class product.

Seat comfortable, you get a mattress and duvet, and BA F food is better than CX J.

Plus the massage/facial at T5 lounge and dining at the Concorde Room (not sure how long your layover is in LHR).

I don't think BA's F product is worth more than doubling your length of journey over, personally. BA F is better than CX J without a doubt, but the gap is small and unless BA F was much cheaper than CX J I wouldn't fly halfway around the world just to try it. If you're looking at peak dates (i.e. it's showing as 120k Avios each way for LHR-HKG) then booking BA F with Avios is also appallingly bad value to me when you could book CX F with Avios for the same price, assuming there's redemption availability.

Apart from the caviar service, I think there's an argument BA F food is actually better than CX F food. Neither are really up to much in the grand scheme of things.

BA F on A380 is a good F product. Much better than CX J in most respects: seat, food, wine, even service.
F on 777 does not have such a great seat (but better than on 747 mentioned above.
Note that all BA F seats are equal, even on the same plane.
Be aware that surcharges on BA can be stiff.

It's a tossup for me between CX in J and BA in F. If you need to backtrack to London to take BA then for sure I'd go with the CX flight.

If it's important to you, many people like the Concorde Room at LHR

Depends how much you value your time. Personally I would go for the non-stop flight.

Either choice gives you a nice lounge and lay-flat seat.