Given that there are so many TR regarding the biggest part of this trip, I'll keep this short and sweet. I'll stay away from menus since they have been posted elsewhere and I had the same.
BOS -> JFK (AA, switched to DL due to delay)
JFK -> HKG (CX 841, F)
HKG -> CGK (CX 777, J)
BOS -> JFK
I received a call at around 4 am notifying me that my 7am flight was delayed and I wouldn't be able to make my ongoing flight to HKG. They rebooked me into DL. No issues.
JFK layover
I had hoped to arrive at terminal 8 with AA and check out the flagship lounge, unfortunately I didn't; instead I went directly to terminal 7 to BA's F lounge. I couldn't see much difference between BA's F and J lounges, other than F was quieter and a little more relaxing. Otherwise, they seemed to be pretty much the same, not to mention that the showers are on the J side.
One thing to point out, given the choice of Admiral's club vs BA's J or F, take BA hands down; no doubts.
Showers -> there was no hot water at 9am!
Breakfast -> decent, similar to the Terrace at LHR, a WORLD ahead of Admiral's club. Lots of cereals, juices, and many other goodies + drinks of course.
JFK -> HKG
Walked in and got escorted to my home for the next 16 hours: 1K. Champgne quickly served w/ seconds, 3 windows to look out through. Then off to the regular stuff hear about. Brunch is served first and lunch later, at your leisure. Pajamas are given out early on. Make your bed when you want to (FAs will do it for you). This is my first experience on this route so I heeded to others and did the same to sleep early (or at least try to).
Here are some differences:
- No orchid: not that I care that much but I thought there would be one.
- Maintenance:
** The edges of the suite (the rubber towards the window was coming off). No biggie, but not what you expect for a trans-pacific 1st class, on CX!
** My bed seat could not be converted into a bed (I think it needed to be reset). FAs eventually moved me to the 2 middle and set me my bed there. I asked if I could come back to 1K for later (to see out), no problems.
** In my "bed quarters" had bad sound... voices could not be heard on movies or music (so I had to move to 1K for fun).
- Service, generally seemed impeccable but
** A few times I called the FA with the call sign and she didn't come... eventually I had to get up and ask personally. Kind of lame again for F with 2 FAs and 5 PAX.
** FA thought abalone was some sort of delicate mushroom (?)
** Sleep time: plentiful
- Food: excellent! I did not care much for the abalone though, next time I'll take the western choice. Dim sum for brunch was great. Wine and drinks selection was great.
HKG layover
I actually stayed overnight in HK to visit the city; 1st time there.
Nobody knew whether there's an arrival lounge, they guided me all the way through immigration; needless to say nothing there (someone let me know where it is!).
Because my onwards flight was J (no F to CGK), I was invited to the business class lounge in HKG where I proceeded to go before boarding the next day. I thought it was a fine lounge with all the usual necessities. I would grade this lounge somewhere between Admirals and BA (E.g. if AA is a 1 and BA a 5, CX is a 3). Breakfast options were ok but somewhat limited. The capuccino was good though.
HGK -> CGK
I forgot row number, but it was on the K side and it was the 2nd one, new style J class. Like many have noted, difficult to look outside. Pre-departure drinks are available, and FA's also call you by name. The seat was clearly narrower than in F (as expected), but at 6'1 and mid framed, I found to be ok. I can see why if you feel against closed places it makes you feel funny. Also, I flew alone, so I had no angst about talking to anyone really. Food was very good as well, obviously not F, but just as obviously, not coach. Laying down was fine: I was able to fit without much trouble length and width wise.
Soon I'm flying back in J through YVR, hopefully I can upgrade.
In conclusion: flying F makes sense if someone else is paying for it or you can use miles! J does the trick just fine. No opinion on the backside, but I remember flying Delhi -> ORD a while ago in coach and it was tough (you really need to get up and walk around.
Admirals club has a lot to learn from other carriers! But again, given the option of Admirals or outside (especially in the US), Admirals is fine.
Of airports: the airports in the US are light years behind Europe and Asia. Why??? It's beginning to feel like we're a nation stuck in the Soviet era!
BOS -> JFK (AA, switched to DL due to delay)
JFK -> HKG (CX 841, F)
HKG -> CGK (CX 777, J)
BOS -> JFK
I received a call at around 4 am notifying me that my 7am flight was delayed and I wouldn't be able to make my ongoing flight to HKG. They rebooked me into DL. No issues.
JFK layover
I had hoped to arrive at terminal 8 with AA and check out the flagship lounge, unfortunately I didn't; instead I went directly to terminal 7 to BA's F lounge. I couldn't see much difference between BA's F and J lounges, other than F was quieter and a little more relaxing. Otherwise, they seemed to be pretty much the same, not to mention that the showers are on the J side.
One thing to point out, given the choice of Admiral's club vs BA's J or F, take BA hands down; no doubts.
Showers -> there was no hot water at 9am!
Breakfast -> decent, similar to the Terrace at LHR, a WORLD ahead of Admiral's club. Lots of cereals, juices, and many other goodies + drinks of course.
JFK -> HKG
Walked in and got escorted to my home for the next 16 hours: 1K. Champgne quickly served w/ seconds, 3 windows to look out through. Then off to the regular stuff hear about. Brunch is served first and lunch later, at your leisure. Pajamas are given out early on. Make your bed when you want to (FAs will do it for you). This is my first experience on this route so I heeded to others and did the same to sleep early (or at least try to).
Here are some differences:
- No orchid: not that I care that much but I thought there would be one.
- Maintenance:
** The edges of the suite (the rubber towards the window was coming off). No biggie, but not what you expect for a trans-pacific 1st class, on CX!
** My bed seat could not be converted into a bed (I think it needed to be reset). FAs eventually moved me to the 2 middle and set me my bed there. I asked if I could come back to 1K for later (to see out), no problems.
** In my "bed quarters" had bad sound... voices could not be heard on movies or music (so I had to move to 1K for fun).
- Service, generally seemed impeccable but
** A few times I called the FA with the call sign and she didn't come... eventually I had to get up and ask personally. Kind of lame again for F with 2 FAs and 5 PAX.
** FA thought abalone was some sort of delicate mushroom (?)
** Sleep time: plentiful
- Food: excellent! I did not care much for the abalone though, next time I'll take the western choice. Dim sum for brunch was great. Wine and drinks selection was great.
HKG layover
I actually stayed overnight in HK to visit the city; 1st time there.
Nobody knew whether there's an arrival lounge, they guided me all the way through immigration; needless to say nothing there (someone let me know where it is!).
Because my onwards flight was J (no F to CGK), I was invited to the business class lounge in HKG where I proceeded to go before boarding the next day. I thought it was a fine lounge with all the usual necessities. I would grade this lounge somewhere between Admirals and BA (E.g. if AA is a 1 and BA a 5, CX is a 3). Breakfast options were ok but somewhat limited. The capuccino was good though.
HGK -> CGK
I forgot row number, but it was on the K side and it was the 2nd one, new style J class. Like many have noted, difficult to look outside. Pre-departure drinks are available, and FA's also call you by name. The seat was clearly narrower than in F (as expected), but at 6'1 and mid framed, I found to be ok. I can see why if you feel against closed places it makes you feel funny. Also, I flew alone, so I had no angst about talking to anyone really. Food was very good as well, obviously not F, but just as obviously, not coach. Laying down was fine: I was able to fit without much trouble length and width wise.
Soon I'm flying back in J through YVR, hopefully I can upgrade.
In conclusion: flying F makes sense if someone else is paying for it or you can use miles! J does the trick just fine. No opinion on the backside, but I remember flying Delhi -> ORD a while ago in coach and it was tough (you really need to get up and walk around.
Admirals club has a lot to learn from other carriers! But again, given the option of Admirals or outside (especially in the US), Admirals is fine.
Of airports: the airports in the US are light years behind Europe and Asia. Why??? It's beginning to feel like we're a nation stuck in the Soviet era!
Thanks for this TR...surprised to hear about the sub-par experience in CX F, but hopefully you'll get a chance to try it out again and they can redeem themselves.
Don't get me wrong, I take no offence to it! It's just that at a retail price of $15k+ it seemed to be like things that should not be overseen. I used miles by the way. I tried hard to use them again in the way back, no luck 
BTW, here I document my travel back:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-...l#post14978069
My worse experience was AAdmirals...
BTW, here I document my travel back:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-...l#post14978069
My worse experience was AAdmirals...