Cameron Tang

It was a surprise for CX to use the A351 to Melbourne and Perth this northern winter.

When will they use it to fly to Sydney?

CX161/162 is still operated by the aging A330.

THR

I’m booked on the 900 (CX111) over Christmas. I guess when they have the spare aircraft?

winnipegrev

Ageing? The 33Ks aren't exactly old, many are newer than some of the 777s on the route.

Besides, I'd personally rather be on a 330 in any cabin except J.

dddc

I have mixed feelings on that, at least from a Y's traveller's perspective. I like the the A330 in Y when travelling as a couple and you can get the pairs of seats, but the comfort of the A350 makes me ok to fly on that. The 6 way headrest is something CX needs to crow about much much more. I had the misfortune of flying with Etihad on their B787s recently and their silly fixed and only on one side headrest was awful. First time I used a neck pillow on long haul in ages. Thankfully they had reversed their ridiculous Y meal where people were complaining they were hungry. CX catering in Y is much more exciting and tasty (in almost all cases - on an 4 sector run, with 8 hot meals served, only one was an "ok", all the rest were tasty and good.)

Any chance the A350 (any variant!) will fly on the Heathrow run one day? Particularly the 9am departure? Would like to be able to take the A350 all the way to/from Oz without taking the B777.

Central90210

If it’s important for you to fly on an A350, why don’t you fly from Gatwick where an A350 is guaranteed daily?

inego

I'm booked on the A359 in December and looking forward to it, albeit in PE. Is the A351 entering the fleet as a 773 replacement?

oldchinahand

As Qantas are now flying 330's to HKG out of SYD there is perhaps little incentive or need for Cathay to up the game ex SYD to the A350-1000.

londonexpert

I don’t think it is an up the game thing. Basically capacity and availability of aircraft?

dddc

Because the flight times don't work and it means turning a ~24 hour trip to ~38 hour trip due to an extra long layover at HKG of around 17 hours. I already do 6 hr one on the way over (A350s all the way and yes, from Gatwick) and that's about my limit for what I'd consider reasonable for a connecting flight before I start looking at alternatives.

I was "ok" with the B777 until they started going 10 abreast. After travelling on an Emirates 10 abreast plane (unbeknown to me) and feeling how cramped it was, I am doing my best to avoid 10 abreast planes or long haul ones that only have a seat width of 17". I had to fly Etihad's B787 recently and the first sector I had shoulder fights with the person next to me because the seat was so narrow. On the 2nd sector I had a baby in a car seat - more shoulder room, less peace and quiet!!

I've found Cathy's A350 in Y very comfortable, particularly with it's innovative head rest. The only negative I have is the seat back is a little to thin and you feel the knees of the person behind you if they slouch, or their hands when they reach into the seat pocket. Theirs, not yours obviously!

inego

CX is flying A333, A359 (x6 days) and 773 to SYD at the moment. The A359 rotation only started on 28/11. The A351 would be logical to replace whichever its meant to replace once there are enough in the fleet.

The other thing to remember is that CX is not only competing with QF on SYD-HKG, it's also competing with SG on SYD-Europe. SG flies A380x2, 773 and A333 daily SYD-SIN.

THR

Assume you mean 28/10

londonexpert

I assumed u mean 77w not 773?

sbs2716g

SQ is flying 2xA380 n 3 x773ER (all with F cabin). No A333 to australia right now for SQ.

oldchinahand

According to Expert Flyer the A350 features rarely on HKG -SYD flights - some days 1 of the 4 flights other days not at all

Why inego mentions SQ in relation to HKG -SYD A350 flights when this is a thread about A350 to SYD I am not sure. (BTW SQ dont fly the the A350 ex SYD at all)

freed0m

because A350 has no F.