Cathay v JAL on 4h30 Flight
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Italy
Programs: BAEC Gold, TK Gold, Accor Gold
Posts: 310
Cathay v JAL on 4h30 Flight
Hi all,
I know that since this is the CX forum there may be a little bias but ...
If I could choose between CX or JL business class for a flight HKG to Tokyo (4h30), what would be the best option?
Direct flights to Japan are tremendously expensive this summer but found a good deal to HKG, and would then burn 20.000 avios for a flight to Tokyo from there (guess it'd be worth it?).
Thanks
I know that since this is the CX forum there may be a little bias but ...
If I could choose between CX or JL business class for a flight HKG to Tokyo (4h30), what would be the best option?
Direct flights to Japan are tremendously expensive this summer but found a good deal to HKG, and would then burn 20.000 avios for a flight to Tokyo from there (guess it'd be worth it?).
Thanks
#2
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: ORD [formerly] + HKG
Programs: CX Diamond, AA exExPlat, BAEC exGold, HH Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Starriott Titanium, GE
Posts: 2,966
It depends on what you want. Hard product wise - both offer fully flat beds but only on selected flights. The regional product on other CX flights is...pretty nasty as most will agree here. Meals - JL can be thought of as better not only for Japanese but also Western choices. Timing - CX wins with more frequencies and better scheduling. Service - highly YMMV I love CX because I am a local but JL won't disappoint for sure. Lounges - no difference.
The flights with long haul (i.e. flat bed) config are CX548 and CX520. For JL its JL26 to HND.
One more thing, you can do part-pay (i.e. reduced avios and top up with [nominal] cash) for CX but not JL.
The flights with long haul (i.e. flat bed) config are CX548 and CX520. For JL its JL26 to HND.
One more thing, you can do part-pay (i.e. reduced avios and top up with [nominal] cash) for CX but not JL.
#7
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: ORD [formerly] + HKG
Programs: CX Diamond, AA exExPlat, BAEC exGold, HH Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Starriott Titanium, GE
Posts: 2,966
I am not sure if any flight can beat CX 548 in terms of good timing and product, definitely not the 2 JL flights to Tokyo. So if OP is going for vacation (?) this could be a crucial factor. Or even for like business meetings for that matter.
But OP is OW Emerald and as far as I know JL doesn't do the ooh-and-aah like CX. However, this is not so likely as CX HND flights are easily elite-heavy (as in like 15 DMs 30 GOs etc)
But OP is OW Emerald and as far as I know JL doesn't do the ooh-and-aah like CX. However, this is not so likely as CX HND flights are easily elite-heavy (as in like 15 DMs 30 GOs etc)
#8
Join Date: Jan 2006
Programs: AAdvantage Asia Miles Air China
Posts: 870
I fly HKG-TYO a lot. Here is my personal take. Fares from HKG to Japan are really quite expensive all year round in all classes.
1. PEY for mileage burn I find the best value (at least using CX/AA Miles), therefore CX as JL does not have PEY on regional flights. Though for reference purposes JL's longhaul PEY beats BA/CX/QF hands down.
2. In business JL offers better than regional CX in terms of seating.
3. In economy, JL is not great, if you get a JL 767 it is not good at all, CX's economy is far better, though JL's Cantonese stewardess' are usually very good.
4. There is always the late afternoon Dragonair flight to Haneda. I find KA regional to be better than CX regional, though it is an A320 I think.
5. For food, JL is definitely better, though I personally loathe the smell of rice crackers.
6. Entertainment, CX wins in all classes quite easily.
7. For treatment as an OWE, again CX will 'recognise' you, but JL will barely notice your existence.
8. Watch out for seat selection. JL's systems do not seem to be able to talk to other airlines so getting an advance seat assignment is a pain in the arse. Well I find this to be the case as an AA OWE. CX is definitely better here.
9. Haneda is definitely the better airport and CX has a lot more flights into Japan than JL so more flexibility.
10. As you can use any of the lounges that will not matter, though the Sushi Bar in the JL lounge at Narita is great.
Hope this helps.
Nicc
1. PEY for mileage burn I find the best value (at least using CX/AA Miles), therefore CX as JL does not have PEY on regional flights. Though for reference purposes JL's longhaul PEY beats BA/CX/QF hands down.
2. In business JL offers better than regional CX in terms of seating.
3. In economy, JL is not great, if you get a JL 767 it is not good at all, CX's economy is far better, though JL's Cantonese stewardess' are usually very good.
4. There is always the late afternoon Dragonair flight to Haneda. I find KA regional to be better than CX regional, though it is an A320 I think.
5. For food, JL is definitely better, though I personally loathe the smell of rice crackers.
6. Entertainment, CX wins in all classes quite easily.
7. For treatment as an OWE, again CX will 'recognise' you, but JL will barely notice your existence.
8. Watch out for seat selection. JL's systems do not seem to be able to talk to other airlines so getting an advance seat assignment is a pain in the arse. Well I find this to be the case as an AA OWE. CX is definitely better here.
9. Haneda is definitely the better airport and CX has a lot more flights into Japan than JL so more flexibility.
10. As you can use any of the lounges that will not matter, though the Sushi Bar in the JL lounge at Narita is great.
Hope this helps.
Nicc
#10
Ambassador: Japan Airlines
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: LAX
Programs: JAL Mileage Bank, JMB Diamond, oneworld Emerald, Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 16,394
I fly HKG-TYO a lot. Here is my personal take. Fares from HKG to Japan are really quite expensive all year round in all classes.
1. PEY for mileage burn I find the best value (at least using CX/AA Miles), therefore CX as JL does not have PEY on regional flights. Though for reference purposes JL's longhaul PEY beats BA/CX/QF hands down.
2. In business JL offers better than regional CX in terms of seating.
3. In economy, JL is not great, if you get a JL 767 it is not good at all, CX's economy is far better, though JL's Cantonese stewardess' are usually very good.
4. There is always the late afternoon Dragonair flight to Haneda. I find KA regional to be better than CX regional, though it is an A320 I think.
5. For food, JL is definitely better, though I personally loathe the smell of rice crackers.
6. Entertainment, CX wins in all classes quite easily.
7. For treatment as an OWE, again CX will 'recognise' you, but JL will barely notice your existence.
8. Watch out for seat selection. JL's systems do not seem to be able to talk to other airlines so getting an advance seat assignment is a pain in the arse. Well I find this to be the case as an AA OWE. CX is definitely better here.
9. Haneda is definitely the better airport and CX has a lot more flights into Japan than JL so more flexibility.
10. As you can use any of the lounges that will not matter, though the Sushi Bar in the JL lounge at Narita is great.
Hope this helps.
Nicc
1. PEY for mileage burn I find the best value (at least using CX/AA Miles), therefore CX as JL does not have PEY on regional flights. Though for reference purposes JL's longhaul PEY beats BA/CX/QF hands down.
2. In business JL offers better than regional CX in terms of seating.
3. In economy, JL is not great, if you get a JL 767 it is not good at all, CX's economy is far better, though JL's Cantonese stewardess' are usually very good.
4. There is always the late afternoon Dragonair flight to Haneda. I find KA regional to be better than CX regional, though it is an A320 I think.
5. For food, JL is definitely better, though I personally loathe the smell of rice crackers.
6. Entertainment, CX wins in all classes quite easily.
7. For treatment as an OWE, again CX will 'recognise' you, but JL will barely notice your existence.
8. Watch out for seat selection. JL's systems do not seem to be able to talk to other airlines so getting an advance seat assignment is a pain in the arse. Well I find this to be the case as an AA OWE. CX is definitely better here.
9. Haneda is definitely the better airport and CX has a lot more flights into Japan than JL so more flexibility.
10. As you can use any of the lounges that will not matter, though the Sushi Bar in the JL lounge at Narita is great.
Hope this helps.
Nicc
It's an award redemption, OP will have no problem of seat selection with JL system.
Soft and hard products on JL Economy is better than CX even with 767 which is rarely being used on HKG-TYO. You get 34" legroom on 777-200ER. The Japanese CAs on JL are definitely better than those HKG based ones in terms on professionalism.
I personally like the afternoon timing as it usually means less HKG tourists on your flight and I can avoid the morning rush to HKG and the evening rush hours in TYO. To me going on a trip is more about relaxing instead of trying to squeeze out every single min in your destination.
Don't have high expectation on food on either airlines. Ex-HKG meals on JL are not up to the JL standard at all.
#12
Ambassador: Japan Airlines
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: LAX
Programs: JAL Mileage Bank, JMB Diamond, oneworld Emerald, Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 16,394
By the way, be prepared for the sauna if you end up choosing JAL
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/japan...hot-cabin.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/japan...hot-cabin.html
#13
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: BKK/SEL/YQG
Posts: 2,543
By the way, be prepared for the sauna if you end up choosing JAL
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/japan...hot-cabin.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/japan...hot-cabin.html
#14
Ambassador: Japan Airlines
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: LAX
Programs: JAL Mileage Bank, JMB Diamond, oneworld Emerald, Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 16,394
#15
Suspended
Join Date: May 2006
Location: HKG
Programs: A3, TK *G; JL JGC; SPG,Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,952
cx has a better schedule, but besides that they are fairly equal.
unless you really enjoy being called by the name and get offered bad food, you dont have to fly cx. But you have the option. Have any star points? Mom said ana was better than cx in every single way except for frequency.