Without getting into all the details, here is my dilemma.

I can fly AMS-HKG in CX F (direct) or I can fly AMS-LHR BA J, then LHR-HKG in QF F. Going via LHR would mean an early flight out of AMS. The direct flight is an early afternoon departure.

I want to try QFs first product (only ever flown J) but don't know if it is worth the early departure and connection. The last part of this trip will be HKG-SFO in CX F.

These flights are part of an award and I am trying to get the most out of the experience.

Any advice?

CX is great in F. It would not be worth it to fly to LHR just to connect to a QF F product flight unless you are just looking for a new experience.

What's the a/c used on either l/h leg?

I have done QF in F and CX in F (old and new config). CX for me wins hands down. The QF service from my last trip in January was pitful and approaching that of AA. CX service still superior from my perspective.

This is a NO Brainer!

CX definitely, unless you have certain urge to torture yourself in LHR! (also QF leaves from T4 which is a dump now - not T5 BA's hub)

QF's F Class is almost 10 years old, it is much narrow and cramp compare to CX's new and old F Class. Service IMO is better on CX (including better amenity kits and PJs). The cabin is much better (with a much nicer bathroom - although the QF one is not bad - with a window, well CX has 2 windows)

Really take CX and you won't regret it. Also stick with the Chinese menu as I heard the F Class Western choice is a bit average.

Also I assume you get more time in AMS as well with CX's timing?

To me it is a no brainer too. CX F is , imo, much nicer than QF F . Take the AMS-HKG CX flight for a quicker and more pleasant flight

Dave

Another vote for CX.
QF has 14 seats in the nose of the 747. Space is more like the new C on some airlines.
CX has 12 seats in the old configuration in the same section, the new has only 9 (if i remember correctly). Even the old configuration is vastly more spacious.
QF service and food is ok, but CX is at least as good.

My experience of QF F is a little dated, but other reports also seem to agree that the food on QF is better than CX's western food, and the wine is generally better too.

Apart from that everything on CX is superior.

AMS-HKG in CX F it is. And the taxes and fees dropped 30 USD per ticket.

Thanks for all of the opinions and insight.

CX F is a great choice. Great new cabin with fewer seats. Great asian service and just plain better. ( IMHO)

Having tried both, definitely CX F. My CX F flights have been sensational.

Agree, having tried all three OW carriers F products, on the LHR-SE ASia route, I would not hesitate to place CX First in First!

I'd chose QF F over CX F any day of the week.

The service in CX F is a shadow of what it was a few years ago. Whenever I fly CX F, I cannot hwelp but compare it to how it was and it doesn;t compare favorably.

Unless u enjoy staring at old grannies on the QF plane, torturing urself at LHR and paying more for inferior service, I would readily choose CX. It's a really no-brainer.

I must say that I haven't noticed the decline which many others have. (It probably hasn't hurt that of my last six CX F long hauls, I've been the only F pax on two of them.) I've actually had consistently good service from BA, CX and QF in the F cabin. I agree that CX western entr�es aren't quite up to par, but I wouldn't expect them to be any more than I'd expect BA to win on Chinese selections.

The consistent problem I have with QF is the 744 F cabin layout. Six seats down the center simply doesn't work, IMO. And, since the seats don't really have shells (as BA's do), those front two center seats are right out in the middle of the action. OTOH, I have found QF food to be great.

All in all, I'm a CX man. You can't beat those new suites, and the 744 F lavatories are huge!!! Why on earth they didn't put the same lavs in the 773s is completely baffling to me.