JAL versus CX First Class
 

I just got back from a trip to the Maldives and had the opportunity to fly Cathay Pacific outbound and JAL inbound over the Pacific from SFO in First Class. There was quite a difference. Cathay's new bed suite is wonderful. The tray table is more like a large desktop. I had room to use my laptop and "dine" at the same time. My companion was able to be next to me and we had middle seats with privacy screens up on both aisles where as on JAL we had to request row 1 or else we couldn't be next to each other. CX--food was served from the cart and much more elegant. JAL gave excellent service and the food was delicious but not the elegance or flair of CX. Cathay offers more....JAL waits for you to ask for things like pajamas, amemity kits, etc. and the JAL interior was drab. The ventilation on the CX AIRBUS 340 was very stuffy--my only complaint. The JAL 744 was well ventilated. If there was no price diff Id choose CX next time.

I dream of a bed suite on CX. Great trip!

Thank you so much! I fly Cathay-F in 2 months, but have always wanted to fly JAL-F/C. I am considering taking my future wife to Bali on JAL, in Business. No First within Asia save HK. This is dissapointing. What about the JAL lounges?

I am surprised that JAL was like that. I have flown JAL economy from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur on an MD-11. The crew were friendly, but their English was almost non-existant. Questions I had went unanswered. Whatever, it is a 40 minute flight with a small orange juice served.

I hope that things were better for such a long flight. Would you consider doing a trip report? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif thanks.

------------------
Michael
AA PLT,1 MLN Miles+
HH GLD, SCI GLD, MM SIL
LE PRESIDENT ETERNEL DE CAMAIR-CAMEROUN AIRLINES :)

Woo hoo! I'm glad to hear the positive feedback as I'm on CX in F SFO-HKG-DPS tonight!

(And I definitely WILL have a full trip report....) http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Do CX have F on HKG-DPS?

(How many abreviations can I get in the one question?)

Stephen

Techgirl,

I've done trans-Pacific up front on CX and I had only one complaint.

The Stolichnaya they served with the caviar wasn't cold enough.

Enjoy!

HKG-DPS is C only but some flights operate with 3-class aircraft (sold as 2 class). Given the prices at the very high-end resorts I would have expected demand for F (now provided by SQ but not CX).

My only question is... what cart?

I recently flew on CX transpac First YYZ-HKG and don't recall a cart being used.

Be prepared to get spoiled like you can't even imagine. CX crews just cannot do enough for you... the service level can be a bit disconcerting at first but there's nothing they won't do (within reason of course) for you. Also, the sleep suits are VERY comfy. I saw several westerners who looked at them as though they were alien artifacts and left them unused... don't make that mistake. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif If you like 'em, the FAs will most likely only be too happy to give you an extra if they're not too full.

I'm only comparing the "F" portion transpacific here. I flew in "C" class on both airlines within Asia and would say they are both equal.

Antone

Thanks for your report. I'm doing CX in 1st to HKG & SYD in July, can't wait.

I think that Cathay is worth it for the Wing alone. I sent this to some friends and one who visits Japan all the time said the JAL lounges at Osaka-Kansai are nice.

If CX really impresses me, will just take them to Bali. It is unfortunate that they don't do First within Asia. Kills the desire to do a full award in First.

CX has First within Asia. I've flown HKG-MNL and vice versa in First on the 744 and A343.

Despite only being a 2 hour trip, it's still quite nice.

CX does do First within Asia, but not to destinations like Bali although you may find 3-class aircraft like a 747 sold as 3-class.

There's definitely CX First between NRT/HKG/TPE.

Also, I've seen the JAL Sakura Lounge in Osaka Kansai Int'l airport. No comparison to the Wing [although I didn't see the FC section of that lounge].

Interesting. I have done a perousal of CX and JAL flights with First within (East) Asia. NRT, sure, that is too out of the way to go to HKG then back up to NRT... ugh http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Then only one flight to Bangkok and then Singapore. Have looked at doing that one. I will tell you that what CX requires for First to Asia, it is just a bit more to the South Pacific or South Africa. Their award to SA is probably one of the best deals out there.

I wish that CX would do First to Bahrain/Dubai.

As for JAL, I have only seen NRT-HKG, they need to do First to Singapore, etc. JAL seems to fly a bunch of 2 class MD-11's within Asia, though I do hear wonderful things about JAL's service up front.

Thanks for the info.