jglenn16

Hi FTers,

My partner and I are traveling from SYD to LAX in early January. I keep going back and forth between flying TG 747(O) SYD-BKK or CA 777-300ER(O) SYD-PEK. We'll ultimately end up in LAX, flying from on OZ from ICN-LAX, so we'll be flying from BKK or PEK to ICN in biz.

TG downgraded us to biz earlier in the month due to them swapping to a 777-300 with no first, but now got reinstated in F. However, it looks like it's on their old 10-seat F aircraft. I've heard their food and service is continually declining and I really don't want to deal with anymore switcheroos. I've also read about bankruptcy rumors.

With that being said, I always think why not just fly in F on CA 777-300ER as it's a pretty much guarantee that the hard product is solid, and the food/service will probably be roughly similar to TG.

On the other hand, flying on TG will get us access to the F lounge in BKK and we get a long layover in ICN, so we can actually go out and explore whereas we wouldn't get that chance flying CA.

Any thoughts would be very much appreciated.

Thanks!

ORDnHKG

CA basically all you are getting is the seat, nothing more out of it. The food and service, even the amenity kit is just C class quality, basically C class food served in F class. Also, don't expect the FA can speak much English at all.

TG's food is good and bad, very inconsistent, however there is still an online pre-order menus that has lobster thermidor, you will never find that on CA.

With CA, you will also have to deal with the chronic lengthy ATC delay in PEK, worst case scenario you will be dealing with a snow storm since you are travelling in January. I would avoid any connections in any mainland china airports, connecting in BKK would never have any weather or ATC related problems.

CA F is my last choice that I would choose from, only if no other left except UA F.

2919scott

Both options have some advantages, it might just come down to which option has the better schedule.

With TG you certainly get their great service in BKK with lounge access and a buggy ride. The older hard product on the plane isn't bad, but not a private suite like you'd get on CA's 777-300R. The CA lounge in PEK looks nice but not what you would have with TG in BKK. Have you read any of the trip reports here on CA's F service and product on the 777?

You would hope that TG doesn't have any additional issues between now and January, it seems like they are committed to F BKK/SYD/BKK at least through March of next year, but that's no guaranty.

LyingFlat

Between the two, I prefer CA F in the air - never had a bad experience with them.

With TG, I find their inflight service to be very inconsistent. However, the ground experience in BKK for F pax is probably one of, if not, the best in the world.

Kacee

Too many issues with CA F awards being inexplicably downgraded or cancelled. I would avoid.

jglenn16

Really appreciate all the thoughts so far. I'm leaning a little bit towards keeping my TG reservation intact. I've read about the CA F awards being cancelled awhile back, but haven't heard any new reports, so hoping that issue has been resolved.

2919scott/LyingFlat - I've only read a trip review from fabflyer, but was on a different route. I haven't been able to find any recent ones. Lucky says his experience in business was surprisingly good, so I'm sure there are some good experiences with service.

Still would like more insights if anyone has anymore to offer!

LAX/HKG

Another vote for TG. The lounge in PEK is terrible with smelly bathroom. Going through immigration/security at PEK could take a long while. Service was barely adequate. The seat in CA is nice but that's about it, and that's if they do a good job cleaning it. The last time I flew CA (though in J), there were used, dirty toothpicks left behind in one of the seat pockets.

LeviFlight

I have not flown CA but have been through PEK, and have flown Thai F to SYD. I found the Thai experience to be very nice indeed. Enjoyed the lounge, enjoyed the in air product. It was the older model but the bed was super comfortable, food and service very good. I and hearing that they can be inconsistent but my sample of 1 makes me want to make it 2 some time soon.

2919scott

SFO777 has just started an Air China F trip report here on FT. Take a look in the Trip Report section to see his report. The photo he has posted of the suite on the 777 looks comfortable.

Kacee

There have been at least two recent reports of unexplained CA downgrades from F to J on the UA forum.

I love flying TG F to or from BKK. Ground experience is fantastic. Aircraft are always clean and service no worse than very good. Food is inconsistent.

PEK arguably the most delayed major airport in the world.

ORDnHKG

Here is another one
http://jecielkonsult.com/tripreports...rst-class.html

You are not going to find too many of the CA F trip reports, as we all know service and food are subpar compare to OZ/LH/NH/SQ/TG/CX.

JVPhoto

If you are flying TG BKK-SYD F and then TG J BKK-ICN you get access to the First Class lounge in BKK as a connecting/arrivals pax?

jglenn16

According to the lounge access sticky on the TG forum, I assume so. Apparently, some passengers are able to get the 1-hour massage in the spa as well, even though you fly out as J.

JVPhoto

If you come in the other way ICN-BKK J BKK-SYD F on the same ticket I know you obviously get the F lounge access and massage etc but will they also pick you up in the buggy at your J arrival?

Kacee

Yes they should meet you at the gate.

When I flew HKT-BKK J connecting to BKK-HKG F the F experience started at HKT, where I got an escort from the check-in counter through security to the lounge.