BA QF CX or JL

[gumpy]

Hi everyone

I finish work in Bangkok late November and I have a choise of flying QF,BA,CX or JL back home in business class.

I haven't had long haul experiance with BA, CX or JL before. Though I'd prefer to fly QF or BA for the double points if a particular carrier is better I am open for suggestions. Any opinions on who you'd prefer to fly would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[samh004]

Surely the CX and JL flights would go via HKG and Japan respectively, adding more flying time, but giving you more chances to experience their comforts and lounges. How much time do you have

Additionally, if you need those SC’s, flying the long way home could be beneficial.

 

[gumpy]

Surely the CX and JL flights would go via HKG and Japan respectively, adding more flying time, but giving you more chances to experience their comforts and lounges. How much time do you have

Additionally, if you need those SC’s, flying the long way home could be beneficial.

SC's wise I'm going to easily clear WP renewal so not too fussed about that one, but as you say it is nice to see a different lounge and be in a different seat design. I can burn about an additional day getting home if i choose to... not sure if my body would agree with that though...

You ever flown CX or JL J class?

 

[samh004]

You ever flown CX or JL J class?

I have flown CX, but on their old product only, so my views wont really help here. If you’re a bigger person, you might find the herringbone layout of the CX J seats a bit claustrophobic. Service is generally pretty good.

Not flown JAL, to my knowledge.

 

[Keith009]

Can, worms, open.

I'd much rather fly direct unless I really needed the SCs. QF would be my choice for superior service and F&B. I also find the Skybeds v comfy even though they're sloped, and generally sleep v well on them.

You'd get New Gen Club World on BA as BKK-SYD is operated by a 744. Very nice seats, far better than any of the other J options. BA service is let down by inconsistency - crew on BA are super on a good day, but can be downright awful on a bad day. The catering is ok, not much flair. Same Charles Heidsieck NV as QF in J for the most part, though some routes now feature Ayala Brut Majeur (yum! Had it on LHR-BAH-DOH return. I'd fly BA just for the Ayala if I can be assured that it'd be served on my flight!), Lanson NV (decent), or Cattier NV (I'd rather drink cat piss). Far prefer the all Australian wine list on QF, YMMV. I think it's been reported on mFT that Lanson has been making the rounds on the Asian sectors.

I do not like the long haul Business Class seats on CX or JL - it is too narrow on CX, and hard as nails on JL. I find JL's J seats even slopier than the Skybeds. I find the CX herringbone v narrow even though I'm not a v big person by any measure - on a JFK-HKG I only managed 2 hrs' sleep. CX should've simply licensed the VS herringbones like NZ which are far superior. I also do not like the cold and haughty style of service on CX and JL - again YMMV. (Though some of the Senior Pursers on CX, especially the ones from The Phillippines or Sri Lanka, can be rather cool and affable.) CX's catering is ok, again not much flair, and the mains are served on caseroles which feel v mass market. I enjoy Japanese food and used to love the Japanese catering on JL, but now my shellfish allergy forces me to choose the Western options which are yuck. Wine list on both nothing to shout about, unless you enjoy sake and plum wine in which case a wide selection is offered on JL. Most importantly, I believe JL serves Piper Heidsieck NV in J (cheap!), on CX you'll get Billecart Salmon NV (another one of my faves) on all shorthaul routes except Japan and Deutz on other routes including Japan (paint stripper). edit: from memory I think i also got the Deutz on an ICN sector, remember being disappointed as I was looking forward to the Billecart.

Shorthaul on both CX and JL are pretty good, much better than QF domestic for sure, you get a lot more food and there's a full wine list. I believe BKK-NRT is operated by a 767, a long flight in a regional service IMO.

 

[winfred]

I would not choose JL as going to Japan then to Aus is too much of a detour.

I would not fly QF as the old J class seat is not as good as the fully flat seat of CX and the IFE screen is poor.

I would fly CX if you are not claustrophobic and doesn't mind the extra flying time. I am 6"1 and have no problem with CX and I would enjoy the CX F lounge in HK + the shops there.

I would fly BA if I want a direct flight.

 

[simongr]

I would not choose JL as going to Japan then to Aus is too much of a detour.

I would not fly QF as the old J class seat is not as good as the fully flat seat of CX and the IFE screen is poor.

I would fly CX if you are not claustrophobic and doesn't mind the extra flying time. I am 6"1 and have no problem with CX and I would enjoy the CX F lounge in HK + the shops there.

I would fly BA if I want a direct flight.

Completely agree with this assessment.

If a QF A380 was in the mix and if you have points to spare I would be considering QF with an early points request to F. Nice way to finish a job...

 

[ozmille]

Can't remember how many time I have done the BKK run on both QF and BA and must agree with above that QF service is more consistent. Saying that I usually sleep the whole way on the BKK to SYD leg so the service is not that important for that leg and the BA flat bed is just that bit more comfortable.

 

[browski]

.......if flying to MEL, don't forget the joys of JetStar StarClass!

Personally, if flying to SYD, I'd fly the Emirates J product.

 

[gumpy]

So everyone feels the long haul CX is too narrow... interesting I may give it a miss then...

I am doing BA London to Bangkok so I'll get a decent idea there if they're any good or not, just that I need to book the home leg now ><...

I don't mind qantas at all, it's just that I'd like to fly non QF and AA J for a change...

I am intrigued by the Japanese Sake on offer on the JL flight I may consider it. I haven't visited Tokyo in awhile might turn it into a short stop over.

QF009 thanks for the run down on the bubblies... =) not much of a white wine drinker myself... but I appreciate the thoughts and the detailed seat/food/service review. Of course I'll report back to you guys on how the service was from my end.

Thanks everyone for your thoughts...

 

[Alanslegal]

If BKK-SYD direct, I'd fly BA purely because I find I enjoy their flat seats much nicer than the SkySlopes of QF. However if you want to detour somewhere, I'd aim for SIN and get onboard the QF A380 in J.

Another detour is choose CX because they have nice flat seats, service is always very good though the food choice is slightly let down. I have also read that OWE can be treated very favourably and be op-upped into F and their suites, are very nice. Plus the endless choices of lounge in HKG is a big bonus. I have been moved into a F suite once, but that was more operational than deserved.

With JL, I don't really like their sloping hard product but their service is always impeccable and this can make up for it.

 

[winfred]

So everyone feels the long haul CX is too narrow... interesting I may give it a miss then...


Not me. I love the CX seats.

 

[NM]

My usual measure of in-flight service (the WSIS index) may point the way. The raw data, from which you can apply your own weightings, reveals:

QF: The Glenlivet 12yo
CX: JW Gold
BA: Glenfeddich 15yo (Solara Reserve, but its been a while since I flew BA CW so may have changed)
JL: Not sure on-board bur their FLounge at NRT has the best selections I have experienced in a lounge.

Of those, QF is in last place - by a significant margin. But QF would provide the option to waitlist for an upgrade to F where they have 18yo versions of The Glenlivet and Chivas.

 

[sr81]

For my money I would not being going on JL. It is a six hour flight to NRT then another big jump down to SYD. The seats are also pretty crowded.

I like CX - the movies are good and I got 8 hours sleep from HKG to JFK and I am bigger than QF009. So CX is horses for courses.

What about SQ or EK?

Anyway, my preference would be getting to SIN then points up to F or BA. As I (think) it is an overnight flight a fully flat bed is gold. Just don't get the 777 service, upper deck of the 747 is the way to go.

 

[simongr]

Is there any decent JL product flying into SYD - it has always been non-lie flat I thought.

 

[gumpy]

For my money I would not being going on JL. It is a six hour flight to NRT then another big jump down to SYD. The seats are also pretty crowded.

I like CX - the movies are good and I got 8 hours sleep from HKG to JFK and I am bigger than QF009. So CX is horses for courses.

What about SQ or EK?

Anyway, my preference would be getting to SIN then points up to F or BA. As I (think) it is an overnight flight a fully flat bed is gold. Just don't get the 777 service, upper deck of the 747 is the way to go.

I agree flat beds are the shizzle... I'll be getting 747 upper deck BA on the way to Bangkok so I'm glad to hear that was the right choice for that leg.

I must admit the CX 101 back home would be the most convenient option... I can't get off work early enough to make the direct BA flight back...

I was considering Singapore A380 to melbourne and then to Sydney but that's not worth it... flown the A380 QF plenty of times... I do like the noise of the 747's it actually helps me sleep...

bugger... i would like to rack up extra points so that I can upgrade to F when i go to LA later...

I'll mull over it some more than =(

 

[gumpy]

Is there any decent JL product flying into SYD - it has always been non-lie flat I thought.

from what i understand it's the shell angled flatbed between Sydney and Tokyo...

 

[gumpy]

If BKK-SYD direct, I'd fly BA purely because I find I enjoy their flat seats much nicer than the SkySlopes of QF. However if you want to detour somewhere, I'd aim for SIN and get onboard the QF A380 in J.

Another detour is choose CX because they have nice flat seats, service is always very good though the food choice is slightly let down. I have also read that OWE can be treated very favourably and be op-upped into F and their suites, are very nice. Plus the endless choices of lounge in HKG is a big bonus. I have been moved into a F suite once, but that was more operational than deserved.

With JL, I don't really like their sloping hard product but their service is always impeccable and this can make up for it.

I don't think CX101 has a F seats... Anyway I won't count on it else I'll end up sad

 

[Paddy55]

I don't think CX101 has a F seats... Anyway I won't count on it else I'll end up sad

I think you're right, although even though 6' 3" am happy as a clam in CX J.

I'd choose QF or CX - BA too uneven with service quality.

Paddy

 

[Keith009]

If looking outside oneworld I'd recommend SQ via SIN. In fact I'd fly SQ over CX or JL. SQ operates both A380 and 77W to SYD, the seats are almost identical but the ones on the A380 are a little wider. They are a little too wide for me in the sitting position and there's nowhere to rest one of my arms as the seat is so wide (I usually ask for a few more pillows to rest my other arm), but they're v comfy in bed mode. Service on SQ is consistently of a high standard. They have a different "style" to the likes of QF/BA and a little too formal for me but overrall the service is pretty good especially if you get the senior crew who are in red uniforms. The food is nicely presented and edible for the most part. You have the option of pre-ordering your meals via Book The Cook. They serve either Bollinger NV or Charles Heidsieck NV in J. I notice you like your reds - SQ serves Heartland Shiraz in J on all flights to Australia which is a rather quaffable drop (v reasonably priced too at $16 a bottle at DM's), and a French red.

Only criticisms I'd make about SQ are the wine list which hasn't changed from day dot, and the fact that you don't get an amenity kit in J.