I took a look on seatguru, and pitch & width on 777-300 is 38 & 19.5, vs. on A350-900, it's 40 & 20. So they're nearly identical. Also, both PE cabins have 4 rows of 2-4-2 configuration. So on paper, there doesn't seem to be much of a difference. Is the amount of recline the same on both? (On seatguru, it says 9 inches for A350-900, but no data for 777-300ER). If both have same recline, I don't know why Airbus would be the "clear winner"?...

Clear to me because the seats are 5+% wider, there is 5+% more pitch, and wifi (which I may or may not purchase -- not sure how much it costs)

I don't consider 19.5 and 20 to be "almost identical" for width. I consider 21 to be roomy and 18 to be cramped, and that's only a 3 inch gap. Half an inch is a significant chunk of that.

The difference in pitch is less critical to me. Still, I'll take the extra 2 inches. Not sure how much the seat reclining in front of me causes encroachment (vs the seat sliding forward as it reclines) so that's hard to judge without sitting in them.

Also the cabin layout just looks cramped and kind of strange. Remember that the 777 is a narrower plane, despite there being the same number of seats across PE. The comparison/review linked above points that out. (edit: this is wrong) The restroom is in a strange spot too (of course you have a dedicated restroom for the cabin, which some people would consider important)

Anyway, it wasn't a deal breaker for me -- I chose a 777 flight back because the time was more convenient. I could have taken the airbus both ways if I had REALLY wanted to. I guess I'll find out how much of a difference there really is in January.

ETA: So now I'm not sure. Seatguru says that the seats on the A350 are wider, but the poster above (and TPG in the link above) say that the seats on the 777 are wider. So I don't know. Maybe it's not clear after all.

The seat design is completely different - on the A350 they have storage space on the side of the seat that takes up space and the aisle seat armrest goes down so you can swing your legs over to let other person out without getting up. So the personal space for your body is smaller on the A350. Its noticeable if you have accumulated some extra carry on weight :-) I notice since I am a larger guy, however my wife cannot tell the difference much (except she doesn't like the A350 seat padding). However, I do sleep better in the A350 due to extra recline - that also makes it harder to get out if the person in front is reclined.

This is a pretty decent overview of both: https://thepointsguy.com/reviews/cat...econ-777-a350/

I'm looking at the seats and reminded of flying a decade ago, when you can be seated in an economy seat and someone can actually squeeze in front of you to get in (presuming you both aren't fat).

I read through this thread and the overview link above, and it's not easy to determine the "winner", with so many variables and pros and cons. As others have said, the better schedule may serve as a tie breaker.

Yeah - I usually book whatever is the best schedule, but the A350 also has better IFE. I usually get bulkhead in the 777 and the TV swings out of the chair and sometimes breaks (e.g. doesnt stay in place and they have to tape it up). The a350 is on the wall so its nice you can use it on take off and landing. Also that tail and bottom cameras are fun to watch.

How are the middle seats? I'm on the A350 on my way there, and the only decent seat was the front row window... which is one of the seats where you might get bumped for someone with a disability. There is nothing else avaialble except for those "priority" seats in the front row, and 2 middle seats -- so if I get bumped I'm in a middle seat. I usually have problems with the width on a regular economy seat... that's why I try to choose the window, as it allows me to with with my shoulder up against the side of the plane. It's just a shoulder width issue -- I'm not exactly skinny but I fit into the seat, between the arm rests, just fine. The issue is that (in an economy seat) my shoulders encroach into the neighboring seats just a little... and if I'm in a middle seat there's nothing I can do about it.

Does Asia have Black Friday sales? If not, what type of mega sales do they have and on what date(s)?

Awesome Deal
 

This is an awesome deal for mileage run to keep my AA EXP status (better than last year for PE class)
I already booked :
1) two trips to Singapore (stay one night)
2) a trip to Bangkok (stay one night) ($100 more than to Singapore but I can visit my friend who lives thereso worth it)
3) two trips to HKG (day trip in Hong Kong), and I found a website can book a hotel room for day use (11 am to 7 pm) if I want to take a nap.

After AA changed its program a couple years ago, using CX PE for mileage run is the method that I keep my AA exp status.
My personal experience, I prefer 777 than A350 because it feels more roomy. Upgrade from PE to J for SFO-HKG (vice versa) is really rare. Don't expect it.

At what reliable websites did you find or buy your intra-Asia fare deals? I read from see other forum (a year or two ago) that major US OTAs like Expedia are not the best in finding Asian deals.

Thanks for the heads up. This is going to be my first true mileage run with SFO-HKG-SFO in one weekend.

Five SFO-HKG PE CX trips is more than necessary to qualify for EXP. What's the point?

If you're not traveling AA at all, why bother with mileage runs? If you're flying AA slightly, why not do four (or fewer) mileage runs? Even then, surely just buying business/first for that rare few trip(s) is cheaper than four of these trips.