I might be flying for the first time, in F, LAX to SIN in December. There are several flight combinations to choose from, but only this one offers F all the way:

CX881 Depart LAX 00:15, Arrive HKG 07:40+1
CX713 Depart HKG 09:05+1, Arrive SIN 15:20+1 (via BKK)

Alternatively, I can take CX881 and then connect to CX717, on a 2-class 773 to SIN. I'll arrive earlier without stopping in BKK.

The last option is to leave LAX just before noon, and sit on a 2-class A330 to SIN:
CX885 Depart LAX 11:20, Arrive HKG 18:45+1
CX715 Depart HKG 19:45+1, Arrive SIN 23:35+1

I have several questions:
1. Is there a big difference in F meal service on CX885 and CX881?
2. What am I missing if I fly J on a relatively short route like HKG-SIN instead of F? Is it worth flying HKG-BKK-SIN just for F?
3. How bout J seating on a 330 compared with the 773? Are they exactly the same?

Thank you and I'm sorry if I sound a little excited. I am most definitely eager to fly CX for the first time!

1. Don't know, sorry.

2. If the choice was F or long-haul J (as in a 34D) then I would say not much, since you get the AVOD, but short haul J is substantially below long-haul.

3. 777 and 2-class A330 are essentially identical in J.

Personally, if I wasn't pushed for time I would take the "F all the way" option.

CX has had the midnight and 2am departures from LAX for a long time. They have added the midday departure just this July, going to daily service today, August 1. I have taken both the midnight departure, and the 1pm departure. I strongly prefer the 1pm departure. I am awake and able to enjoy the meal and the service, then get a good sleep, awake and eat some more. When I take the midnight departure, all I want to do is sleep.

Another advantage of the 1pm departure is that it lands in HKG at 7pm, whereas the midnight flight lands at 5-ish am. I can stay up a few hours, then go to bed on HKG time. I clicked right into local time when I took the 1pm departure, whereas that doesn't happen for me when I arrive at 5am. Your arrival times will be +5 hours or so in SIN, but the concept is the same.

I would maximize the pleasure of the long haul flight, and let the onward flight to SIN fall wherever.

For meals, CX 885 will feature a slightly more extravagant meal than CX 881/3. On daytime flight, the main meal service is a bit more spread out and less hurry. For all long haul flights regardless of time, there will be a pre-takeoff beverage with a cold canape of some sort... But the main meal service on CX 885 will begin with warmed nuts and beverage, salmon and caviar cart, soup and salad, entree, cheese and fruit cart (cheese board), choice of CHinese and Western desserts, and pralines... for CX 881/3, it will be more a la carte -- same beverage and warmed nuts, followed by salmon and caviar cart (sometimes F/As will not roll out the cart... but some do), then you can have soup, salad, entree, a cheese and fruit plate (note... not a full cheese board), Haagen Dazs ice cream cups, and chocolate... For CX 885, the meal prior to arrival should be a supper service with a fruit appetizer, entree choices, and dessert/pralines. For CX 881/3, of course, it will be breakfast -- fruit, cereal/yogurt, and entree (with made-to-order eggs). For snacks, they are all similar with Chinese congee, noodle soups, sandwiches, hot pot rice, and fruit plate. In general, CX 885 features a bit more spread out meal due to daytime and people are in mood for a longer and fuller lunch.

1. Is there a big difference in F meal service on CX885 and CX881?
> Well there is difference as noted above.

2. What am I missing if I fly J on a relatively short route like HKG-SIN instead of F? Is it worth flying HKG-BKK-SIN just for F?
> WEll it is a difficult chocie especially those regional 330s/773s are quite different from 747 first class...

Well meal wise, CX 713 HKG-BKK will feature a brunch featuring fruit appetizer, entree, dessert, and pralines/tea/coffee, and then BKK-SIN will feature a light lunch featuring satays (I am not sure if it is cut or not), appetizer, two choice of entrees, and dessert/tea/coffee/pralines.

In J, HKG-SIN will also feature a full meal services but of course, not F class -- first appetizer plate with side salad, second, a choice of three entrees, third, cheese board and fruit tray, ice cream dessert, and pralines/tea/coffee. For CX 717, it will be a brunch service with fruit appetizer, a choice of entrees, dessert, and tea/coffee... there may be a satay service prior to arrival (forget... sorry).

3. How bout J seating on a 330 compared with the 773? Are they exactly the same?
> Yes they are pretty much the same... 45" of legroom with PTV but no AVOD.

It is a really tough choice... if time really does not matter, I actually recommend the full F experience even the first leg is a redeye flight. But for jet lag, I agree that daytime flight is better... you can stay awake on the last half of your LAX-HKG and HKG-SIN flight, and then just fell asleep on normal sleeping time at SIN. However, since the suite is part of the F experience... getting a nice night of sleep is also a benefit in its way. I will pick
CX881 Depart LAX 00:15, Arrive HKG 07:40+1
CX713 Depart HKG 09:05+1, Arrive SIN 15:20+1 (via BKK)

But only if time does not matter... if time is a factor, I will take
CX885 Depart LAX 11:20, Arrive HKG 18:45+1
CX715 Depart HKG 19:45+1, Arrive SIN 23:35+1

I don't like your remaining choice especially sometimes CX 717 is operated by Boeing 777-200.

I hope it does not confuse you... also a friendly reminder, on regional F flights (HKG-BKK-SIN or HKG-SIN), CX does not offer any amenity kits, PJ, duvet (only wool blankets), and wine list is slightly different...

Enjoy your CX F flight! Remember to stop by CX F lounge.. it is nice too.

Carfield

This may sound silly but have you considered SQ19 for the convenience of a nonstop service instead? I realise that F is not offered on this flight which leaves LAX at 8:00PM and arrives SIN at 6:20AM + 2 days. You get there in about 18.5 hours. SQ's J service is as good as CX's J. Just a thought.

CX F is certainly better than SQ C. CX F has 12 seats in the cabin, all with flat bed suites. I wouldn't give that up, even for a nonstop, which has angled flat seats.

I just noticed a typo - I meant SQ's J is comparable to CX's J, I don't mean CX's F.

Thanks for all the replies, especially yours Carfield, it doesn't get more comprehensive then that. ^

I will try to take CX881/713 as suggested since timing really isn't a factor, and an afternoon arrival at SIN might actually be better than a midnight arrival for reducing jet-lag.

Personally, I don't care if a flight requires a re-fueling stop so long as there is a comfortable lounge to relax in. Anyway it's funny how you mention this because I am indeed flying SQ in a couple of weeks time, SIN-LAX, and will post a trip report.

Isn't the SIN-LAX service being run with a 772ER right now with a refueling stop at TPE (Eastbound only)?

I look forward to reading it.

You may have confused with SQ29 that leaves LAX at 1:05AM, arriving SIN at 11:35AM with a transit stop at TPE. This flight is operated with 772. SQ19 uses the newer A340-500 and flies nonstop.

LAX-CX-HKG-SQ-SIN. If you are in paid first class, which I assume is a MPM fare, this routing will cost no more than LAX-CX-HKG-CX-SIN. The benefit is that the early AM HKG-SQ-SIN flight is a 747 with excellent first class seating and book-the-cook.

Oh ok... I just remembered from somewhere that Singapore Airlines was doing maintainance on a (couple) of A340-500s, which meant that the LAX-SIN would be operated by the 772ER for the time being.