First Class/Bus Class - Cathay vs. Quantas
Jan 9, 2011 | 8:05 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Programs: Alaska Airlines
Posts: 1
First Class/Bus Class - Cathay vs. Quantas
I'm flying from Seattle to New Zealand and have enough miles to fly first class on Cathay or Quantas...would appreciate thoughts on the best as well as if first is worth the extra miles or if business is "good enough"
Jan 9, 2011 | 10:00 pm
#2
Join Date: Oct 2010
Programs: AS 100K, Million miler
Posts: 245
I have flown both airlines to Auckland in the last year and there are clear tradeoffs that you might want to consider in advance by examining the schedule on each airline's website. The advise below assumes you are using miles rather than purchasing a ticket.
If your time is valuable and you can get a J seat on the QF nonstop from LAX to AKL, it will save quite a bit of time over the circuitous route on CX through HKG, which could entail a very long layover of up to 10 hours on the way back.
In my mind, for a trip this long, it is worth it to spend the extra miles and go First, knowing that on CX, there is only J between HKG and AKL.
It is almost impossible to find F seats on the QF nonstop LAX-AKL, and difficult at best to find F seats through SYD to the other QF destinations in NZ: Christchurch, Wellington and Queenstown. F seats are much easier to find on CX, particularly within 1 week of departure when they load in lots of inventory.
If you elect to go F, the other key difference is that QF will be full and on CX you are quite likely to share the F cabin with only 1 or two other people.
If after you make your choice you have difficulty finding seats on your dates of choice, PM me and I will give you a hand.
If your time is valuable and you can get a J seat on the QF nonstop from LAX to AKL, it will save quite a bit of time over the circuitous route on CX through HKG, which could entail a very long layover of up to 10 hours on the way back.
In my mind, for a trip this long, it is worth it to spend the extra miles and go First, knowing that on CX, there is only J between HKG and AKL.
It is almost impossible to find F seats on the QF nonstop LAX-AKL, and difficult at best to find F seats through SYD to the other QF destinations in NZ: Christchurch, Wellington and Queenstown. F seats are much easier to find on CX, particularly within 1 week of departure when they load in lots of inventory.
If you elect to go F, the other key difference is that QF will be full and on CX you are quite likely to share the F cabin with only 1 or two other people.
If after you make your choice you have difficulty finding seats on your dates of choice, PM me and I will give you a hand.
Last edited by macfadsj; Jan 9, 2011 at 10:05 pm
Jan 9, 2011 | 10:13 pm
#3
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: BA Gold; AA Lfe Time PLT ; Marriott Titanium, LFT GLD
Posts: 1,276
I have flown both airlines to Auckland in the last year and there are clear tradeoffs that you might want to consider in advance by examining the schedule on each airline's website.
If your time is valuable and you can get a J seat on the QF nonstop from LAX to AKL, it will save quite a bit of time over the circuitous route on CX through HKG, which could entail a very long layover of up to 10 hours on the way back.
In my mind, for a trip this long, it is worth it to spend the extra miles and go First, knowing that on CX, there is only J between HKG and AKL.
It is almost impossible to find F seats on the QF nonstop LAX-AKL, and difficult at best to find F seats through SYD to the other QF destinations in NZ: Christchurch, Wellington and Queenstown. F seats are much easier to find on CX, particularly within 1 week of departure when they load in lots of inventory.
If you elect to go F, the other key difference is that QF will be full and on CX you are quite likely to share the F cabin with only 1 or two other people.
If after you make your choice you have difficulty finding seats on your dates of choice, PM me and I will give you a hand.
If your time is valuable and you can get a J seat on the QF nonstop from LAX to AKL, it will save quite a bit of time over the circuitous route on CX through HKG, which could entail a very long layover of up to 10 hours on the way back.
In my mind, for a trip this long, it is worth it to spend the extra miles and go First, knowing that on CX, there is only J between HKG and AKL.
It is almost impossible to find F seats on the QF nonstop LAX-AKL, and difficult at best to find F seats through SYD to the other QF destinations in NZ: Christchurch, Wellington and Queenstown. F seats are much easier to find on CX, particularly within 1 week of departure when they load in lots of inventory.
If you elect to go F, the other key difference is that QF will be full and on CX you are quite likely to share the F cabin with only 1 or two other people.
If after you make your choice you have difficulty finding seats on your dates of choice, PM me and I will give you a hand.
Good advice....
The extra miles for F above J is relatively small.
QF is more direct but F difficult to book.
CX is great even in J. Service is excellent. But having done a 5 hour layover at HKG 10 hours would be a real drag even in the CX F Wing Lounge.
Jan 9, 2011 | 10:18 pm
#4
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: HKG, BOS
Programs: CX SL, AB Gold, AF/KL FB Silver, HU/HX Silver, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,596
As mentioned, for such a long trip, travel in F would be much more pleasant although award inventory on both airlines will be harder to find. Even if you do have a 10 hour layover in HKG, try going out of the airport and explore a bit - Hong Kong's usually ranked top among all Asian destinations. Plus, that would hit two birds with one stone.
It really depends on the date OP is flying. CX is currently operating its 744 (with F) for CX107/8 until 6 March 2011, when it switches back to its 343 (2-class).
It really depends on the date OP is flying. CX is currently operating its 744 (with F) for CX107/8 until 6 March 2011, when it switches back to its 343 (2-class).
Jan 10, 2011 | 9:42 am
#6
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 737
websites
Cathay first
http://www.cathaypacific.com/cpa/en_.../newfirstclass
Cathay business
http://www.cathaypacific.com/cpa/en_...wbusinessclass
