Youngtraveldude

Locked in some CX JFK-HKG F & J (will look to upgrade that to F) yesterday for our honeymoon in June, which we'll spend in SE Asia. Now I'm working on the return (to BOS ultimately) and the two options I'm looking at are CX HKG-JFK/BOS on the 777-300ER again in F or QR DOH-PHL/BOS on the A350 in J. What's everyone's thought on which to go far (assuming there is availability)?

I'm leaning towards QR because we've never flown them, it's the A350 which we haven't flown yet and to mix it up. But then I know the CX F experience should be pretty awesome...

chinatown

and you posted this in the AAForum becuase?

76toPHL

We did both on our honeymoon last year - outbound PHL-DOH-MLE in QR J (PHL-DOH was on the A350) and coming home BKK-HKG-ORD in CX F, all booked on AA miles.

J in QR was very nice, but CX F was a clear level above - large, very private pods, personal service, caviar course etc. If you have the miles to spring for F with the new redemption costs I would recommend it - we still remember the flight home on CX as one of the highlights of the trip.

76toPHL

Both are award partners of AA and generally known as the best value for premium class mile redemption to Asia?

chinatown

Youngtraveldude

Exaclty. I should have specified I used and am using AA miles, although I figured it was assumed.

Youngtraveldude

Excellent feedback, thanks! We do like to try different products but if CX F is that good, it is our honeymoon after all...I think my decision will be influenced heavily by availability and what's the most convenient for us, given again that it's our honeymoon.

44C

This made me LOL, literally. YTD go with CX F. I imagine you want to end your honeymoon on a high, not a "well that was nice but it wasn't CX F was it"?

DeltaFlyingProf

Chinatown's post also made me LOL. So perfect an answer.

dkc192

If you have the miles, go for CX F.

fly747first

The only novelty about CX is the private cabin of just 6 suites. QR has much better food and amenity kits than CX. The CX F pajamas are more elegant but the ones QR gives in J are softer.

Cabin crews on either airline can be hit or miss, though CX cabin grews generally are better than QR's.

If it is your honeymoon, due to the large size and walls of the CX F seats, it won't be that easy to talk to your wife at all. The left side of the cabin has 2 seats, one behind the other, separated from the other 4 seats on the right side by a wall. There is a glitch in CX systems so if you choose this option, you will have to call the Hong Kong call center to be able to get two seats next to each other, but again, even in adjacent seats 1D/1K or 2D/2K, it will be hard to talk to your wife during the flight unless you are constantly standing by her seat.

QR's A350 have a 1x2x1 configuration which will permit being closer to your wife if you select the center seats.

Some pictures to help you decide:

CX B777ER F
https://www.cathaypacific.com/conten...20FCL%2001.jpg

QR A350 J
http://www.businessclass.co.uk/wp-co...us-A350-06.jpg

dstan

Although the OP is planning to redeem AA miles for this award, the underlying question is about comparison between CX and QR flights and aircraft. Accordingly, this thread is being moved to the oneworld forum for further input.

dstan
AA Forum Co-Moderator

Catbert10

IMO, while CX F may seem to be an obvious choice over QR J, there are some intangibles on the side of QR. I will stipulate that the food and beverage in CX F are a significant level above QR J. However, QR has some advantages

• The A350 is a mighty fine ride. Like the 787, it has reduced altitude pressurization and increased humidity. You'll probably feel better after a long haul flight
• Some people, like myself, prefer to travel west instead of east. I find that my body adjusts to west-bound travel better
• This may be heretical, but I think the Al Mourjan lounge in DOH is as good as any of the CX F lounges in HKG

And if you can upgrade your outbound to CX F, why not experience QR J as something different? It's a lot better than typical long-haul J.

Youngtraveldude

Thank you, also super helpful. If I were to change this from CX F to J....between CX J and QR J, would that make you lean even more to QR J?

Youngtraveldude

If I could predict the future and know that the A350 we'd be flying on had the new Q Suites, that might be the motivation to go QR over CX.