Cathay Pacific PE vs. China Eastern J

[Mattjer25]

Flying on a short 2.5hr flight from HKG to PVG on 16th January, unsure whether to book CX PE on the 777-300er or China Eastern Business on an a320 or a321. Both the same price, newly joined QFF so still bronze not going to make silver until April regardless of if I take the CX flight. Anyone had any experience with either???? .....

Dilemma
CX PE: $440 not the best flight time
CX Y: $390 better flight times(on a320/a330 so no PE)
MU J: same flight times as CX Y also $440

Thanks, any advice appreciated

 

[HKGNZL]

Flying on a short 2.5hr flight from HKG to PVG on 16th January, unsure whether to book CX PE on the 777-300er or China Eastern Business on an a320 or a321. Both the same price, newly joined QFF so still bronze not going to make silver until April regardless of if I take the CX flight. Anyone had any experience with either???? .....

Dilemma
CX PE: $440 not the best flight time
CX Y: $390 better flight times(on a320/a330 so no PE)
MU J: same flight times as CX Y also $440

Thanks, any advice appreciated

Such a short flight probably won't make a huge difference whichever way you choose. CX is guaranteed in good service, and IFE. If you go on CX Y but get (or pay extra for) the exit row, it is nicer. You won't have lounge access though with CX Y/PE.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Flying on a short 2.5hr flight from HKG to PVG on 16th January, unsure whether to book CX PE on the 777-300er or China Eastern Business on an a320 or a321. Both the same price, newly joined QFF so still bronze not going to make silver until April regardless of if I take the CX flight. Anyone had any experience with either???? .....

Dilemma
CX PE: $440 not the best flight time
CX Y: $390 better flight times(on a320/a330 so no PE)
MU J: same flight times as CX Y also $440

Thanks, any advice appreciated

'CX' Y on an a320 is operated by Dragonair with a very tight seat pitch - not recommended. And no IFE. But food and service is ok. The flight may also leave from the mini-terminal which is a pain.

CX mainline - and there's only three of those a day - are good in Y for IFE, food is so so now on those short flights. PEY seats are good.

if there is no PEY on the a330 also make sure it is not operated by KA (again there may be no IFE - it depends on the aircraft).

MU business is 'ok' in terms of service, food is nothing to write home about. If it is also an a320 it may leave form the mini-terminal.

However - the big difference of MU will be priority check-in and lounge access. Many flights to and from china can be significantly delayed. Rolling delays of 1 or 2 hours are common and can happen either before departure or once on board.

For both of those reasons, being able to sit in a lounge or sit on the plane in a comfortable seat are worth flying business class on MU over CX.

However... if you can catch the KA flight to SHA rather than PVG, I would take that even if PEY is not available. Far more convenient airport.

 

[mushypeas]

make sure (if you havent already done so) - check the pricing on ctrip.com

i often find their pricing is far better than any others for travel to/from the mainland.

 

[HKGNZL]

For both of those reasons, being able to sit in a lounge or sit on the plane in a comfortable seat are worth flying business class on MU over CX.

However... if you can catch the KA flight to SHA rather than PVG, I would take that even if PEY is not available. Far more convenient airport.

Very valid points from MEL_Traveller.

Last month I was on a new plane of KA which was as good as CX (much better leg room than old ones). CX and KA often interchange-able: between them they have a flight every 1-2 hrs. If I finish work early and get to PVG, they could let me standby for the next available flight (go by OW status). I have also seen them combined the flights if it was too empty (or delayed).

I believe there is also a CX flight to SHA. Just make sure if someone picking you up, they go to the right airport.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

yes! the new KA plane is quite surprising with its IFE and new interior. I wonder how quickly they are coming on line (or are there only going to be a few?)


no dedicated CX service to SHA. KA metal only with CX codeshare. i don't know why thy don't have more flights!! the SHA flight is always pretty full.

 

[Mattjer25]

Thanks for the info....think I'm going to go for the MU J. Unfortunately I have to fly to PVG so SHA isn't an option. Does anyone have any experience with the MU Lounge at HKG? Thanks again!

 

[Isochronous]

I second the one daily flight to SHA. Subway connections from Hongqiao Airport are fantastic.

That being said, the SHA "lounge" is atrocious (makes the PVG CX lounge seem satisfactory)