ADL-HKG Economy - QANTAS or CATHAY PACIFIC?

[timi2fly]

Hi,

Looking for recommendations on flights.

Points to keep in mind:
- QANTAS Bronze FF
- QANTAS Club member
- 2 adults, 1 child (3 yrs) travelling

Main flight options: 1. QANTAS

• flights:
  • QF 740 ADL-SYD, QF127 SYD-HKG
  • QF128 HKG-SYD, QF741 SYD-ADL
• advantages:
  • QANTAS Club access at ADL, SYD, HKG
  • more Status Points obtained
  • possibility for Award upgrade to Premium Economy
• disadvantages:
  • stopover in SYD

2. CATHAY PACIFIC

• flights:
  • CX104 ADL-HKG
  • CX105 HKG-ADL
• advantages:
  • no stop-over / faster flight
• disadvantages:
  • no access to QANTAS lounges (? I presume this includes ADL as well given we are flying CX)
  • less Status Points obtained

I am looking for opinions about the quality of the two airlines for these flights, particularly the comfort and service in the economy class. I am not well-travelled to date, but we are looking to make the most of our trip. We would love to upgrade to Premium Economy with QANTAS, but I realise the chances of this happening might be slim.

I appreciate any advice and words of wisdom.

Cheers,

Tim

 

[cosi]

It a no brainer - direct flight ex ADL as CX offer a better service than QF and you avoid the hasslle of tranferring terminals in SYD especially as you are travelling with a 3 year old.

Your partner will prefer the simplest option for the 3 year old

 

[Happy Trails]

I beg to differ.
While I like CX, in your circumstances I'd go with QF for the lounge access alone. Extra points and chance (limited I expect) of an upgrade would be a bonus.
Travelling in economy as a bronze I wouldn't expect too much difference in service.
And not many people like the CX shell seats.

 

[timi2fly]

Yeah I just read the thread on the shell seats ....... not particularly appealing comments there

I think the QF will be the way to go for us, as I am looking to build my status points up anyway.

Any more comments appreciated though.

 

[Awesom Andy]

Only the hardcore points/status earner would consider taking a 3yo kid through a transfer involving catching a bus, while also increasing the journey time by at least 4 hours each way.

Welcome to the club.

 

[timi2fly]

Just wondering - would our luggage get checked all the way from ADL-HKG and vice versa? Or do we need to collect at SYD each time?

 

[Awesom Andy]

Luggage goes all the way from ADL - HKG without you having to do anything.
On the return leg, however, you need to pick up the luggage, go through quarantine, lug it onto the terminal transfer bus, then drop it at the self-service baggage drop machine thingy. It's tagged all the way to ADL, so you don't need to use the kiosks - simply drop the baggage off at the machine. To be honest, that's pretty much the last thing I would want to do with a complaining partner and a whinging 3yo kid in tow...

 

[timi2fly]

Lesser of 2 evils I guess ....... although the thread on this forum made those CX seats sound REALLY BAD.

I am biting the bullet and purchasing the QF tickets now

 

[Joshua]

We've flown this route a bit, usually QF up and CX down. Never seen Y in a CX bird so can't comment but certainly hear the same bad stuff. Everyone is completely forgetting the ADL-HKG on CX is not actually direct, you'll have a tech stop MEL. There have recently been true direct flights some days but I believe they're ending/were seasonal. Regardless, no lounge or extra status points there.

The transfer at SYD really isn't that bad, unless you're completely new to it, I don't know why people kick up such a fuss over it. The only hint if it's busy is last of the bus gets off first. Up to you whether you take the 6 or 7am flight to SYD. The former is more comfortable for transfer, giving you lounge time in SYD to resettle before the flight up but you might want a later wake up time.

We did the QF flights up in Y very recently, from the $380 sales - my first time in intl Y for many years. It was comfortable enough but it's a day flight to HKG. On the way back I went all precious and went QF F, so I really have little experience to add on the overnight flight back.

My suggestion: Fly QF r/t, go via SYD on the way up, then return HKG-MEL-ADL. 5 less status points but much less hassle transferring INT-DOM in MEL.

 

[timi2fly]

We have booked the ADL-SYD-HKG and HKG-SYD-ADL now but I am now wondering - we have an 8:00 flight from ADL-SYD - is that leaving it a bit tight in SYD or do things run fairly smoothly there?

 

[straitman]

Luggage goes all the way from ADL - HKG without you having to do anything.
On the return leg, however, you need to pick up the luggage, go through quarantine, lug it onto the terminal transfer bus, then drop it at the self-service baggage drop machine thingy. It's tagged all the way to ADL, so you don't need to use the kiosks - simply drop the baggage off at the machine. To be honest, that's pretty much the last thing I would want to do with a complaining partner and a whinging 3yo kid in tow...

You 'only' need to lug baggage drop area. The staff will accept the bag again and 'fix' your flights if you are running late.

 

[Isochronous]

It a no brainer - direct flight ex ADL as CX offer a better service than QF and you avoid the hasslle of tranferring terminals in SYD especially as you are travelling with a 3 year old.

Your partner will prefer the simplest option for the 3 year old

CX definitely have better service, and when they remove the shell seats from Y it'll be no contest with QF. QF will give you more points in Discount Economy but I thought the SCs earn should be the same.

 

[mio]

Adding this bit in a bit late, but the shell seats are not all that bad for short legs (8 hours to HKG direct, CX 174 - only in summer though) it is the long ones (to europe) that they get annoying with, although the seats for qantas are much better.
The service on CX is undisputedly about 100 times better than that in qantas international flights though. I have no idea what it is - qantas domestic is amazing, international takes about 2-3 hours in to get your meal etc. whereas with CX it is there just after you have left!
I know you have already booked - however it would easily be a choice of flying cathay over qantas internationally (except to singapore).

Also, a few years ago I came in on a morning flight from HK and it took us well over 2 or so hours to get to the domestic terminal. - they will book you another seat if you miss your flight, however there is less stress in booking a latter flight, especially with the chaos at qantas transfers there!

 

[dukkha]

CX definitely have better service...

Travel with mrs and a child, you have no chance to join the most exclusive club with 'enhanced' services of CX.
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