Cathay Dragon to Bangalore or Cathay Pacific to Chennai
Sep 10, 2018, 5:40 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2016
Location: HK
Programs: IHG Spire Elite Ambassador, Hilton Diamond, Aegan Gold, British Airways Bronze
Posts: 182
Cathay Dragon to Bangalore or Cathay Pacific to Chennai
Hi,
I'm planning to go to India, I'd redeem in business class and I have the choice to either fly Dragon to Bangalore or CX to Chennai. Bangalore is more convenient for me but I think the flight to Chennai being a CX 777 would have flat beds?
Beside that what are the differences? I remember hearing that KA has better catering?
I'm planning to go to India, I'd redeem in business class and I have the choice to either fly Dragon to Bangalore or CX to Chennai. Bangalore is more convenient for me but I think the flight to Chennai being a CX 777 would have flat beds?
Beside that what are the differences? I remember hearing that KA has better catering?
Sep 10, 2018, 6:06 am
#2
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: CX, UA, Shangri-La, Hyatt, Starwood
Posts: 7,708
CX: Flat bed.
KA: regional business class (same as CX regional biz class). To each their own, but I despise the product....
Food: KA used to be better. But this was 1-2+ years ago because CX integrated the companies more closely. I would say there is no longer any advantage at all, and generally CX/KA have poor biz class catering standards.
You can see what plane flies where here on this GDoc the forum maintains: Cathay Pacific/ Cathay Dragon Fleet Route and Configuration Guide
KA: regional business class (same as CX regional biz class). To each their own, but I despise the product....
Food: KA used to be better. But this was 1-2+ years ago because CX integrated the companies more closely. I would say there is no longer any advantage at all, and generally CX/KA have poor biz class catering standards.
You can see what plane flies where here on this GDoc the forum maintains: Cathay Pacific/ Cathay Dragon Fleet Route and Configuration Guide
Sep 10, 2018, 6:49 am
#3
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: NYC/SIN
Programs: CX DM, SQ KF
Posts: 2,171
Might be wrong but the KA flight to BLR used to have a horrible on time performance.
the one r/t that i did though, I got op-upped to biz from coach both ways, and was seated in the KA First seats (with JCL service).
the one r/t that i did though, I got op-upped to biz from coach both ways, and was seated in the KA First seats (with JCL service).
Sep 10, 2018, 9:31 pm
#6
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: CX DM (OWE), TK Elite (*A Gold)
Posts: 202
As others have said, stick to what is most convenient. If there is not much in it, i.e. transfer to CJB, then my preference would be CX.
Sep 11, 2018, 9:29 am
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2016
Location: HK
Programs: IHG Spire Elite Ambassador, Hilton Diamond, Aegan Gold, British Airways Bronze
Posts: 182
No, I'll be staying a night and then taking a plane in the afternoon. It's my first time in India and I'm here as a tourist so will be relaxed...
Sep 11, 2018, 11:29 am
#11
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: MPC,CA,MU,AF
Posts: 8,171
Back to topic, I usually prefer direct flight to destination. It may be more tiring for me to rest for a few hours and head for the airport again. The ride over the Bay of Bengal can be quite bumpy. I can sleep better on bumpy flights so flatbeds does not matter that much in this case.
Sep 11, 2018, 11:47 am
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2016
Location: HK
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Posts: 182
Thanks for the advice! Good advice for the ticket...
I did read about MAA, it'll be in December so hoping it'll be ok.
Yes, BLR in itself is mostly because we're flying afterward to Malé and I only found that city with a direct flight to Malé, so figured we could stay a couple of day visiting BLR and then fly there...
On the return trip, we definitely wanted to visit Pondicherry and mahabalipuram on the way to chennai before heading back to HK so flying back from MAA is perfect in this case...
I did read about MAA, it'll be in December so hoping it'll be ok.
Yes, BLR in itself is mostly because we're flying afterward to Malé and I only found that city with a direct flight to Malé, so figured we could stay a couple of day visiting BLR and then fly there...
On the return trip, we definitely wanted to visit Pondicherry and mahabalipuram on the way to chennai before heading back to HK so flying back from MAA is perfect in this case...
Sep 11, 2018, 11:50 am
#13
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: NYC/SIN
Programs: CX DM, SQ KF
Posts: 2,171
Apologies for correcting the mod!
The op will do just fine with a copy of the e-ticket on the smartphone- the DGCA/IN changed regulations a bit back..smaller airports, if they don’t know, it’s easier for them to pull out an airline staff to verify.
First time in India - Ohhh boy- and, I say that as an Indian!
Be open, be careful(just use regular global common sense) and don’t be judgemental, and you’ll be quite allright! Tough to go ‘local’, but most people will be nice and helpful, especially given the destinations mentioned. Avoid BLR traffic!! (I studied there and saw 10min bike rides turn to 45mins, in a 2 yr span..a reunion, 10 years on had all staying on campus).
Relying on bottled water and ‘well’ cooked food are the two most important things to avoid the Delhi belly, imho..(even I get that thing now, at times).
The op will do just fine with a copy of the e-ticket on the smartphone- the DGCA/IN changed regulations a bit back..smaller airports, if they don’t know, it’s easier for them to pull out an airline staff to verify.
First time in India - Ohhh boy- and, I say that as an Indian!
Be open, be careful(just use regular global common sense) and don’t be judgemental, and you’ll be quite allright! Tough to go ‘local’, but most people will be nice and helpful, especially given the destinations mentioned. Avoid BLR traffic!! (I studied there and saw 10min bike rides turn to 45mins, in a 2 yr span..a reunion, 10 years on had all staying on campus).
Relying on bottled water and ‘well’ cooked food are the two most important things to avoid the Delhi belly, imho..(even I get that thing now, at times).
Sep 11, 2018, 11:52 am
#14
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,632
Enjoy your stay in MAA. MAA can be very hot. So be prepared for a temperature shock between MAA and BLR. BTW, BLR is not quite a tourist city. As this is your first time to India, please be aware that you should bring a hardcopy of your e-ticket with you showing your date of departure. Some airports will check your passport against your e-ticket printout for same day departure before they let you enter the terminal.
Back to topic, I usually prefer direct flight to destination. It may be more tiring for me to rest for a few hours and head for the airport again. The ride over the Bay of Bengal can be quite bumpy. I can sleep better on bumpy flights so flatbeds does not matter that much in this case.
Back to topic, I usually prefer direct flight to destination. It may be more tiring for me to rest for a few hours and head for the airport again. The ride over the Bay of Bengal can be quite bumpy. I can sleep better on bumpy flights so flatbeds does not matter that much in this case.
Sep 11, 2018, 12:27 pm
#15
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: MPC,CA,MU,AF
Posts: 8,171
This is another reason for me to recommend flying direct into BLR instead of MAA in the middle of the night. Traffic can be terrible to and from the airport for the afternoon MAA to BLR flight.