They changed my HKG-LAX flight a couple of weeks ago from 74A to the old plane. The service manager on the plane told me she didn't know about the change until they signed in.

Let's hope that won't happen to my flight in July... I want the new J seat!

This is understandably somewhat of a concern, but one that should dwindle significantly as more aircraft are retrofitted with the new F and J and become 74A.

When does CX expect to have all 747s complete? Sorry, relatively new to the forum and CX here.

Thanks!

A few days ago I flew CX 872 HKG-SFO. At check-in, about 2 hours before departure, I asked the check-in agent about the configuration of the plane. She said it would be a B747 in the old configuration. She mentioned that the earlier HKG-SFO flight (CX 870) would also be operated by a B747 with the old seats, due to technical issues with the scheduled B74A plane.

When I boarded I realized I was actually on a plane with the new Y class seats ^

I guess you have to wait until you board before you can be sure about the configuration of the plane.

BTW, on the SFO-HKG flight two months earlier I also flew the B74A :)

My friend from SFO who visited me in Vietnam at the beginning of May got the old configuration both ways :td:

United:

Check out http://flyerguide/wiki/index.php/Fleet_info_%28CX%29 and/or the post here on May 13th. It'll show you the exact routes and aircraft regs for 74As

If only UA were a) so forthcoming, and b) were getting the 744s reconfigured as quickly as CX.............

CX882 from HKG to LAX on 26 May changed configuration from 74A to 744 and used a remote stand. Only booked 6 in F, and service was outstanding with 3 F/As.

CX870 on the 28th went from a 74A to 744. I was REALLY looking forward to the new F but oh well. The service was outstanding with only 7 in First. Maybe in September I will get lucky.

UPGRADES from 744 to 74A?
 

There is only one post here about the reverse..getting pleasantly surprised. Does that happen to anyone?!? One would think the opposite would happen equally as much as getting "downgraded" from 74A to 744..but maybe there are still more tech issues with 74A. I know myself I'm slightly annoyed I've only tried the new F once...on a guaranteed service, HKG-JFK on 77A.

I kid you not, on CX:
Last November, 74A HKG-LAX in F changed to 744. Flew J back from YVR.
Last December, SFO-HKG. Old F and got it (flew out to JFK in F, the only time I've ever got the new product).
March 08, HKG-LAX, LAX-HKG BOTH scheduled F 74As...got 744 both ways. April: flew to LHR on CX in F, but chose A340. So old F.
April: SFO-HKG, scheduled F 74A got 744.
Just booked another SFO-HKG F in June: Originally scheduled 74A, just checked looks like it's 744 now. Who knows what I'll actually get.

I'm not sure if I'm alone, but for J trips to Europe I've started doing BA exclusively (and using CX exclusively for F) to Europe - gave them my business three times this year so far HKG-LHR. I just don't bother doing CX to LHR if I have to fly J. I think I still like NNCW better than the new CX J, even despite the better resolution on the CX screen...and the downside is huge if CX pulls an equipment change and gives you the old J! Old CX J is not a BAD product I should clarify, I just want flat. My logic goes like this:
*Whether or not I have the new or old CX config, I prefer 1.) CX F, 2.) BA F, 3.) BA J, 4.) CX J.

So when I'm in F, it's a no brainer - choose CX. I still think CX's old F is better than BA's. So if I'm ever stuck going to the US on CX in the old product I always go for a miles upgrade to F, or just book incredibly late until there is no J availability and then upgrade the trip to F. Travel agent always forgets that DM gets 24 hrs guaranteed J....and I'm not going to remind him:)

I know I'm going to sound like a broken record but until all the 747s have completed their 74A conversion, there is always this risk you may end up with the old cabin even when your itinerary states the 74A.

Some people I've been told have even gone to the distance to wait at the very last moment to make sure they get the 74A before finalizing their travel plan. Few weeks ago, my brother was working late in his TA office at around midnight PST. At around that time, one of his repeat client customer rang his cell phone. The client asked him to check the following afternoon CX879's configuration through the system. My brother checked and saw the 74A has been assigned and F is still wide open. His client then said "Good, book me into that "A" booking class right away because I just saw on the HKIA website that CX870 has departed HKG one hour ago and on its way to SFO.........here's my credit card..........I'm on my way to HKG....." The client knew that aircraft for 870 is the turnaround for the 879 for which he told by brother to book in. Knowing safely that if 879 is still showing a 74A after 870 had already departed, that 870 is also flying as a 74A and when it turns around for 879 it will remain a 74A. His client few days later provided feedback of how pleased he was getting the new F seat, thanked by brother and brought out that it was worth all the hassles of waiting the last minute to make sure he'd get the product. Though he admitted he won't be able to do the same the next time around by putting himself in such situations.

I would bet he would not have been able to be successful if he were to use the same approach for an ex-HKG departure. ;)

I was on CX 881 Last night (well Sunday early AM departure LAX-HKG) and we had a 74A. All cabins were refreshed however in-seat power wasn't working (did see the in seat plugs in Y which were the standard 110 volt plugs).

Some of the crew thought we were getting a 74J for this flight - so as usual your experience may vary on what you get....