Which New York flight is better in C?
 

I know this must have been asked before, I used the search word "New York" and could not find much.

Connecting in YVR is not a problem, nor is timing, nor is upper deck looks like I have a choice between the two flights. Which would you go for?

I've always preferred CX889 via Vancouver because of upper deck seating (quieter cabin and more storage) plus late night JFK departure/ morning HKG arrival which helps with my jet lag.

Otherwise, it's the same flight more or less.

I tend to agree - all other things being equal I prefer the 744 upper-deck to the Airbus as an environment.

My Mom'll be on the CX889 flight later next week in C - will post her flight experience here.

I tend to like CX 888/9 better
 

I tend to like CX 888/9 better because it offers a bit more meals (which because I am a freak in that aspect...) ... But the stop at Vancouver can be a bit annoying. CX 889 is fine, as you have to remain in the plane, but CX 888 can be a bit bothersome because you have to deplane and remain in a small sterile/gate area with just bathrooms (well CX offers boxed beverages and light snacks, but still bothersome) and a typical gate area.

I find the Airbus to be fine too, especially 2-2-2 sitting but the meal arrangements remain to be bizarre, but it does cut some times off.

Seat wise... they are the same... with same entertainment options...

Just choose the flights with the timing that fits you well.

Carfield

Has anyone here found the meals ex-USA in J class to be unusual at times? For example, ex-LAX, they serve a breakfast when it is night (LAX time). OK, I can accept that (even though it will be night on arrival in HK), but they serve a cheesecake type desert after a breakfast service. Does anyone know why?

Deleted

I think it's to acclimate you to HK time zone? Or they could be saving a few bucks!

Agreed, my Mom confirmed earlier today she was held in a "holding" pen along with some she would describe as animals as 1 woman was constantly farting and pretending nothing was going on. It was obvious because there was a 4-5 empty seats radius around her....:td::td::mad:

I personally like to take CX830 to JFK, and then CX889 back.. gives me the most time to work in both cities and also seems to work best for me in terms of jetlag....

If 888 left later in the day (allowing for a full day of work in HKG), I would prefer it, but it only leaves a bit over 4 hours later and arrives in JFK 7 hours later. I just don't find the time convenient.

Writing this from The Wing waiting to board the CX 830 to JFK.

I'm happy to report, btw, that the second meal service on the CX 830 has been switched from breakfast to lunch, which is better suited for the 2 PM arrival time.

No idea if it also has been switched on the CX 831 or the afternoon departure to LHR.

I've flown both 830 and 889 in business class, but not the opposite segments. With my experience, I prefer the nonstop flight because I find the wait in YVR annoying. Even on 889 when we had to stay onboard, I was upstairs, but with all the movement and the odd hour (it was about 5 am NY time), you're dead tired but unable to sleep. I'm a bit dismayed as I never heard about the 888 deplaning into a sterile area and am currently waitlisted for 830. I could confirm it, due to gold card advantage, but I'm traveling with my son who is silver, so no point in me going on 830 and him on 888. Entertainment is the same on both. I prefer flying on 831, because you land at night and I can just go straight to sleep, which helps me with jet lag. But honestly, choose the segment that best suits your times. Usually there is more availability, especially in J for 889/88 and because it is a longer flight, you enjoy that service longer. But in my opinion, a nonstop is any day better.

I've yet to fly HKG-NYC on a nonstop. But I've done NYC-HKG twice (on CO, FWIW), and the flight times are terrible for jetlag. Yes, you arrive in the evening and can go to sleep. But I invariably wake up at 4am, bolt upright in my bed. Even taking Ambien. Then, by 4pm I am completely exhausted. It takes me at least 5 days to adjust. It's terrible.

Now, on the return, I've always done the late flight on CX HKG-LAX, connecting to the redeye LAX-JFK on AA. Flight times are great -- you get a full day at work prior to departure, and you arrive JFK around 8am the next morning, so get almost a full day at work as well.
And I never had any jetlag on the return this way.
Makes me think the 889 1-stop to HKG would be better for jetlag, although I'm not sure how pleasant the 5am (NY time) layover would be.