British Airways or Cathay Pacific business class (using points)?

[pottsy]

I am using points to fly Singapore to London, classic flight reward. Both British Airways and Cathay are available (Cathay flight slightly longer but I don't really care). My questions is: which is considered to be the better business class please?
I realise this may have been discussed previously but have tried to search subject to no avail.

 

[ferntree]

Like QF on its A380 ?

Definitely, yes.

 

[Danielb56]

I'd willingly pay more points to go CX rather than BA. To my mind it beggars belief that an alleged top tier airline would expect passengers in J to climb over each other to get to the bathroom on long haul flights.

Actually my wife and I will be flying BA to Singapore in Sept on Business...not by choice but by Qantas design on FF points. Interesting to see how that plays out...We then connect to the new Qatar A350-1000 onto Athens - which will be a breath of fresh air...

 

[ferntree]

Back row middle two seats is probably your least bad option if you can get them. It brings with it he bonus of enabling you to meet all sorts of nice people as they have little alternative but to encroach in your access space while waiting for the bathroom. Of course there's always a chance that the bathroom might be out of order (like it was when we flew), in which case you won't have that problem.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Actually my wife and I will be flying BA to Singapore in Sept on Business...not by choice but by Qantas design on FF points. Interesting to see how that plays out...We then connect to the new Qatar A350-1000 onto Athens - which will be a breath of fresh air...

With a good seat - like the rear cabin bulkhead pair - BA is pretty good. I hope you'll be pleasantly surprised. If the rear bulkhead isn't available, any of the pairs will mean having to climb over someone to get to the aisle... but with the privacy dividers up the two of you will feel like you have a private and cosy cabin.

 

[ferntree]

Actually my wife and I will be flying BA to Singapore in Sept on Business...not by choice but by Qantas design on FF points.

When we flew J with BA to London on that route we got slugged with a hefty fee for seat selection ... depending on your One World Status you might find the same.

 

[Pushka]

My CX flight was cancelled this week. They put me on another flight 18 hours later. Arriving at 5am and departing at 1am next day. 18 hours in transit. No thanks. Cancelled the lot.

 

[Danielb56]

When we flew J with BA to London on that route we got slugged with a hefty fee for seat selection ... depending on your One World Status you might find the same.

You have to pay for it ahead of time otherwise wait until they open it 48 hrs before...that's what I have been reading

 

[Danielb56]

I'd willingly pay more points to go CX rather than BA. To my mind it beggars belief that an alleged top tier airline would expect passengers in J to climb over each other to get to the bathroom on long haul flights.

I agree...I have never flown BA in business but all that I have read has been the equivalent to Emirates economy...I have flown their Premium and that beggars belief...For a supposed Major flagship carrier its sounds like we will be flying in the twilight zone...

 

[ferntree]

I agree...I have never flown BA in business but all that I have read has been the equivalent to Emirates economy...I have flown their Premium and that beggars belief...For a supposed Major flagship carrier its sounds like we will be flying in the twilight zone...

Two of the middle seats are probably your least bad option (unless you and your wife are not on speaking terms LOL!) though apart from having to literally climb in and out over someone else, you'll find not a skerrick of storage space ... which means again clambering over someone every time you need to get something from your flight bag.

That said, we survived all the way from Sydney to London and back, so I'm sure you will!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I agree...I have never flown BA in business but all that I have read has been the equivalent to Emirates economy...I have flown their Premium and that beggars belief...For a supposed Major flagship carrier its sounds like we will be flying in the twilight zone...

The only possible metric in which Emirates economy would be on par - or beat - BA business would be the IFE.

You have to pay for it ahead of time otherwise wait until they open it 48 hrs before...that's what I have been reading

Any oneworld status gets your free seat selection 7 days prior to departure. Higher status (Qantas gold/platinum) is free seat selection from time of booking.

 

[banana boy]

Old BA J is diabolical and I don't think the new BA J is available on those routes is it? The only saving grace is that the BA J seat is very comfortable to sleep on - but it's just not worth it - CX 777 and A350 is much better and the CX lounges in HK are very nice. Although I don't much like the CX lounge in LHR despite glowing reports. Also aren't there additional carrier charges on BA reward tickets?

Oh and also the out of meal time catering on CX is better than BA. On CX you can get a steak sandwich and chips on BA you can get sugar coated popcorn or sugary biscuits. Also on BA you get to enjoy the legendary British customer service.

 

[Danielb56]

The only possible metric in which Emirates economy would be on par - or beat - BA business would be the IFE.



Any oneworld status gets your free seat selection 7 days prior to departure. Higher status (Qantas gold/platinum) is free seat selection from time of booking.

That's probably correct but my status at the moment has dropped to Bronze (use to be Gold/Platinum) but I have stopped travelling much lately. So when I booked with BA I was bronze...this will change again soon...

 

[MEL_Traveller]

That's probably correct but my status at the moment has dropped to Bronze (use to be Gold/Platinum) but I have stopped travelling much lately. So when I booked with BA I was bronze...this will change again soon...

If you get status back before departure you'll be able to re-enter your FF number in the BA booking and get early seat allocation.

 

[Danielb56]

If you get status back before departure you'll be able to re-enter your FF number in the BA booking and get early seat allocation.

Will look into that...

 

[Daver6]

Oh and also the out of meal time catering on CX is better than BA. On CX you can get a steak sandwich and chips on BA you can get sugar coated popcorn or sugary biscuits. Also on BA you get to enjoy the legendary British customer service.

However, I do love the high tea they serve on BA.