CX vs JAL F/J Long haul and regional
Jan 17, 2020, 11:41 pm
#1
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CX vs JAL F/J Long haul and regional
I'm booked this Monday on 841 JFK-HKG (F) and 903 HKG to MNL (J). I jumped through hoops to get myself onto the 777 for the connecting flight thinking it would have the lie flats I saw in a review on YT in 2017. Then I looked here and saw the thread about the regional business, and am horrified. I've looked around here but am not seeing a specific comparison and thought I'd check, as I see availability on JAL and could switch. I've flown to HKG on CX from JFK in F and it was great. That was maybe six years ago.
Jan 17, 2020, 11:44 pm
#2
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 481
I'm booked this Monday on 841 JFK-HKG (F) and 903 HKG to MNL (J). I jumped through hoops to get myself onto the 777 for the connecting flight thinking it would have the lie flats I saw in a review on YT in 2017. Then I looked here and saw the thread about the regional business, and am horrified. I've looked around here but am not seeing a specific comparison and thought I'd check, as I see availability on JAL and could switch. I've flown to HKG on CX from JFK in F and it was great. That was maybe six years ago.
flight use long haul products. Nothing to worry
Jan 18, 2020, 12:02 am
#3
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It's the seats in the regional HKG-MNL 777, primarily, that I was seeking to avoid. Was also reading the thread on the CX F new food service, and it seems like they are serving Krug on some but not all long haul flights I read they have Louis Roederer on JAL, better food, but that's subjective I know. Also I guess F is going away on CX so this might be worth doing just for the bye bye I suppose. I really don't like the idea of PE seats on the counting flight though, and believe the JAL biz 787-8/9 is a lie-flat regional J.
Last edited by olindacat; Jan 18, 2020 at 5:40 am
Jan 18, 2020, 1:32 am
#4
Join Date: Sep 2013
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I'm noticing the idea of the seats in the regional HKG-MNL 777, primarily. Was also reading the thread on the CX F new food service, and it seems like they are serving Krug on some but not all long haul flights I read they have Louis Roederer on JAL, better food, but that's subjective I know. Also I guess F is going away on CX so this might be worth doing just for the bye bye I suppose. I really don't like the idea of PE seats on the counting flight though, and believe the JAL biz 787-8/9 is a lie-flat regional J.
Some flights on JAL 787 are still equipped with recliners/angle flat seats.
Fortunately, they make the info available online.
Jan 18, 2020, 2:18 am
#5
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The JAL flight to MNL - if on a 787 - is almost certainly going to be the old angled-flat she’ll seat, so not fully flat, as that is what they use for regional flights. That said, it is a perfectly comfortable seat and beats the regional CX seat by miles. if on the other hand you get the CX long-haul seat (which is very likely too), that beats the JAL one by a good distance.
Regardless, I would choose whichever timings suit me best for this. Or, choose based on Japanese vs Chinese cuisine.
I have a very high opinion of both airlines, so for me it would be based solely on the connection and timings.
Regardless, I would choose whichever timings suit me best for this. Or, choose based on Japanese vs Chinese cuisine.
I have a very high opinion of both airlines, so for me it would be based solely on the connection and timings.
Jan 18, 2020, 2:48 am
#7
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HKG-MNL is a 90 minute flight. CX regional J isn’t amazing but it’s no more “horrifying” than a typical first class seat on a narrowbody flown by DL/AA/UA out of NYC on a 90 minute flight to ORD. I don’t think I’d be scurrying in terror based on not getting a lie flat for a 90 minute flight.
JL’s lounges are significantly more “meh” than CX (decent but not as nice as Wing/Pier F), so it’s not like trading in a 90 minute flight in a worse seat for worse lounges, a shorter flight in F and a longer flight in a J recliner (Tokyo-Manila is 4 hours not 90 minutes) is all that great a trade... I’d probably pick the best flight timing and schedule... but you do you I guess.
JL’s lounges are significantly more “meh” than CX (decent but not as nice as Wing/Pier F), so it’s not like trading in a 90 minute flight in a worse seat for worse lounges, a shorter flight in F and a longer flight in a J recliner (Tokyo-Manila is 4 hours not 90 minutes) is all that great a trade... I’d probably pick the best flight timing and schedule... but you do you I guess.
Jan 18, 2020, 5:48 am
#8
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Shame as I always thought of CX as having one of the best F cabins, although I always loved LH's ol 747 F was killer. EK A380 suite once was great. Thanks for your Rea. Just feels like one post said 'evolutionary not revolutionary'. I don't do these often so wanted to make the best of it.
Jan 18, 2020, 5:50 am
#9
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Jan 18, 2020, 5:56 am
#10
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Shame as I always thought of CX as having one of the best F cabins, although I always loved LH's ol 747 F was killer. EK A380 suite once was great. Thanks for your Rea. Just feels like one post said 'evolutionary not revolutionary'. I don't do these often so wanted to make the best of it.
Would you want to switch to CX935? It's on A350-1000.
Also, you get more time experiencing F lounges at HKG.
Jan 18, 2020, 5:56 am
#11
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JL’s lounges are significantly more “meh” than CX (decent but not as nice as Wing/Pier F), so it’s not like trading in a 90 minute flight in a worse seat for worse lounges, a shorter flight in F and a longer flight in a J recliner (Tokyo-Manila is 4 hours not 90 minutes) is all that great a trade...
Jan 18, 2020, 8:13 am
#12
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I could try. I saw the 350 on YT but it's very hard to tell if the seats, configuration, etc., is any different. I was on a 330 and changed to the 777 thinking it was a big bird so I'd feel like flying in a barn. 350s are big enough for sure. Is the 350 better?
Jan 18, 2020, 9:00 am
#13
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All CX's A350s have long-haul business class seats.
Jan 18, 2020, 9:11 am
#14
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I'm booked this Monday on 841 JFK-HKG (F) and 903 HKG to MNL (J). I jumped through hoops to get myself onto the 777 for the connecting flight thinking it would have the lie flats I saw in a review on YT in 2017. Then I looked here and saw the thread about the regional business, and am horrified. I've looked around here but am not seeing a specific comparison and thought I'd check, as I see availability on JAL and could switch. I've flown to HKG on CX from JFK in F and it was great. That was maybe six years ago.
Typically, I try to stay on the primary longhaul aircraft as long as possible, as that's where I will do my sleeping and typically find the best hard and soft product (some exceptions to this rule I've experienced).
In this specific case...I'd be thinking
- Who has the better longhaul product for lounging and sleeping?
- Who has the better schedule and price?
- Who has the better J/F lounge at my departure and transit points?
- What is the beverage selection (good/interesting non-alcho options are getting more important to me)
- Do I feel like Cantonese or Japanese? Which will be executed better? (minor consideration)
The equipment on a short run like HKG-MNL would be an item of least concern, unless the airline were flying an all-Y config or something of that nature.
Jan 18, 2020, 5:11 pm
#15
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I'll see about the 350. I guess the CX F&B is a crap shoot. I heard JAL was nice but agree the schlep down to MNL from TYO is farther, hard product in F might be less roomy if I read right. Will still shoot for JAL on way home and report how it goes. Thx!