Is Cathay Worth it?
Jun 4, 2004 | 7:31 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: New York City
Posts: 42
Is Cathay Worth it?
I have an award ticket in First from NY to LAX to HKG to BKK. It is Cathay 1st from LA, and American otherwise. 
I have never flown Cathay 1st and I could otherwise fly JFK-NRT on AA non stop and then to BKK and save a lot of time..
What do you all think...is it worth it for the longer travel time?
I have never flown Cathay 1st and I could otherwise fly JFK-NRT on AA non stop and then to BKK and save a lot of time..
What do you all think...is it worth it for the longer travel time?
Jun 4, 2004 | 7:53 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2000
Programs: BA, AA, DL, KLM, UA
Posts: 37,489
I've flown CX F many times, and whether it's "worth it" depends on your level of expectation. If you have the miles and want to spend them on a great seat, great food, great booze and excellent service then yes, it's worth it. If all you want to do is get from A to B then pick the shortest route.
Jun 4, 2004 | 9:05 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Little dot in Asia
Programs: AA-PP, HL-DM, MR-LTP, HY-LTG
Posts: 26,017
If you've never flown on anything other than American... then maybe you should just stick to something that you're familair with if you need to ask this question.
However if you're willing to try something that is synonymous with excellence in service, then try on foreign airlines for a change. You'd be pretty surprised.
And oh yes, they do have curtains seperating each cabin, and they do have metal cutlery again. Yes even the knives.
However if you're willing to try something that is synonymous with excellence in service, then try on foreign airlines for a change. You'd be pretty surprised.
And oh yes, they do have curtains seperating each cabin, and they do have metal cutlery again. Yes even the knives.
Jun 4, 2004 | 9:09 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: New York City
Posts: 42
Thanks for the thoughts
I hear so many great things, I guess I will go for it. I have so many miles that I am happy to spend them. It seems fustrating that I cant get on the non-stop to hkk from nyc, but since it is free, I cant really complain.
Thanks again,
I will post a trip report.
Thanks again,
I will post a trip report.
Jun 4, 2004 | 9:30 am
#7
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: NY metro,
Programs: AA EXP, LX travelclub
Posts: 525
An alternative suggestion is to fly JAL first JFK-NRT and on to BKK. That is my preferred routing. I personally prefer the Japanese food served on JAL to the food served on CX. Comfort of cabins and excellence of service are pretty close with the edge to one or the other based on personal idiosyncracies. Generally in these two categories I somewhat prefer JAL but CX is also first rate. JAL first amenity kits are better than CX in my opinion. CX has the clear edge in entertainment systems. All in all, considering the travel time differential I would always go with JAL which also has an excellent first class flight on to BKK and returning from BKK.
Jun 4, 2004 | 9:35 am
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Huntington Beach, CA
Programs: AA EXP 3 MM; Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium Elite
Posts: 18,588
If you managed to score an F award seat on the AA JFK-LAX flight (a very award seat to get, BTW), I would stick with what you had. While it is no CX, the F service on those flights is quite good, especially for dinner flights. I've done similar trips, routing on AA to SFO and then takign CX to my final destination. I enjoy the service on the AA flight and look forward to the even better service on the CX flights.
Jun 4, 2004 | 3:18 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: YYZ
Programs: A3&O6 Gold,IC AMB
Posts: 14,218
Originally Posted by LTTRAVEL
I have an award ticket in First from NY to LAX to HKG to BKK. It is Cathay 1st from LA, and American otherwise.
I have never flown Cathay 1st and I could otherwise fly JFK-NRT on AA non stop and then to BKK and save a lot of time..
What do you all think...is it worth it for the longer travel time?
I have never flown Cathay 1st and I could otherwise fly JFK-NRT on AA non stop and then to BKK and save a lot of time..
What do you all think...is it worth it for the longer travel time?
Jun 6, 2004 | 8:22 am
#14
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Agoura Hills, CA USA
Posts: 2,683
Having travelled both JL and CX in first many times, I prefer CX hands down from the west coast. However from JFK, the service to NRT on JL is excellent due to the comfort of the new solo seats. However, it is the only route,IMHO, that there is even a question of which airline to take to ASIA