OK, my two cents' worth...

Having (unfortunately) flown longhaul Y on both VS and CX recently, albeit on other routes than SYD-HKG, I think I'm able to make quite a good comparison between the two. I have no experience with the QF product so will leave that out.

Based on the seats, personal space and in-flight service I would choose CX over VS any time. Although I'm 6'5", I was quite comfortable (read: not really uncomfortable) on the CX 34D. In VS Y, on the other hand, I was supremely uncomfortable; making the 7 hours there worse to sit through than the 13 hours on CX.

SXC's tip works too: get the two-seat config for extra space (particularly down the back) and less fellow passenger intrusion.

Have a good flight!

Thanks for the quick responses, guys! ^ ^

sxc, CX don't fly the 346 on the SYD route, or at least not at that time of year. My choices are 333 or 34C. The flight times that would suit us best are on the 333, so unless there's a compelling reason why the 34C would be more comfortable, we'd probably go for the 333.

PH-B, I'm relieved to hear that CX was more comfortable than the diabolically uncomfortable conditions on VS. I really have never been so uncomfortable on a long haul flight as I was on VS.

Does anyone have an answer regarding CXs policy about pre-booking exit rows for non elites?

I'm a hardcore CX fan with no experience of QF Y, so I can't make any comparison.

As per selecting seats, usually once you have it ticketed, the travel agents can do it for you, including exit row. This translates to row 54 I believe, on airbus aircraft. Also note Airbus have 2-4-2 seating, so you've got plenty of couple seats. The exit chutes are not very intrusive unlike 747, making these exit row quite attractive.

Also bear in mind CX operate 3 flightts per day to HKG, and the late leaver (CX139) gives you full day in SYD and HKG, which might be important for you. Not to mention, if you can sleep all the way, it would be ideal.

My experience (on the LHR-HKG route) has been that CX won't allow passengers who are not MPC elite to pre-select the exit row. But I did get to select an aisle seat as far front as possible by calling the CX reservations number after the ticket was issued.

Unfortunately, as jjpb3 pointed out, CX would not allow pax other than MPC elites to preselect seats (while QF does still let you pre-select seats AFAIK)

But I think you could always ask when you check in.

I would just also like to say, in reagrd to the intrusive IFE box, they are located in all Y rows at seat A, D, G and K. Havin sat in a window seat recently, I would roughly estimate the box would take up abot a third of legroom.

Have a enjoybale experience with CX. :)

I don't fly CX often, so I never knew amenity kits exist even in Y. Are they only available on long-haul flights? Thanks in advance.

LAX

I agree that if you can sleep almost the entire duration, the night flight would be the best option. However if you have troubles just as I normally do, I would take the middle flight which arrives into HKG around 10pm where you can sleep immediately and be freshen the following day. But again the downside is that you will have already lost a full day in HK. I would try to avoid the first flight b/c IMO, that leaves too early in the morning (during the 7am time frame) which means waking up at 3 or 4am ugghhh!!