Choice of J returning from US: QF, CX, JL (QR)

[Daver6]

I originally posted this in the OW award thread, but thought here might be better.

My question is this. Starting to look at options heading from from the east coast (or New Orleans). Home being PER. The three obvious airline choices are QF via SYD. JAL via Tokyo and HKG (unless JAL commence direct to PER which would be awesome!) or CX via HKG. In terms of J class products, which would you choose and why? The only one I have experience with is QF.

I might have the miles free to actually come home on QR via DOH. That could potentially be another option.

Given this will be part of a OW award, pricing is not a factor.

 

[Hvr]

I would take the QF A380 ahead of the CX flight.

I found the CX J seat to be narrow and harder to sleep in than the QF seat.
The CX leg I flew was JFK-HKG so got a long time in the seat.

Haven't flown JL long haul.

 

[Glider_]

I only have experience with CX, but I'd be happy to recommend them. When I was looking at OneWorld awards from the States (also to PER) CX had by far the best availability. The foot compartment of their J seats when fully flat is a little restrictive but I had no problems getting a decent sleep. MrGlider says they're his favourite J seats.

CX also have a yummy noodle soup kitchen in their HKG lounge which I always stop by for.

 

[travelislife]

Recently flew CX and QR long haul J and would recommend both! Though QR just ahead with the better soft product and on board amenities/service over CC.

 

[snabbu]

Seeing it's part of an award I'd take CX due to:

1. Single connection east coast to Perth (BOS/JFK-HKG-PER) so you can save segments if needed, no need to fly into SYD/MEL then connect to PER.
2. Excellent hard product (personally I take CX over QF everytime)
3. Availability in J is generally quite good.
4. HKG is such a great place to transit imo with a good selections of lounges.

Can't comment to much on JL or QR. Haven't flown JL for a while now and haven't experienced QR at all.

 

[RooFlyer]

I'd go CX for much the same reasons as snabbu. However I would be fine taking CX, QR or JL J as a product (have done them all) over QF, especially if I hadn't experienced them. You'll never know what the alternatives to QF are like if you don't have a go.

I'd go for the non QF route that's most enjoyable for you.

 

[Boris spatsky]

CX all the way. Great hard product and most direct routing (if that is your thing!)

 

[JohnM]

Remember, D6, that you won't get PJs on any other than QF, so take your QF ones! It surprises me that CX doesn't offer PJs on the very long sectors like ORD or JFK-HKG. I quite like CX but I'm not totally enamoured with their new J seats - still a bit coffin-like to me, especially for a tall person getting their legs out.

I have not experienced JL or QR.

 

[Comoman]

Remember, D6, that you won't get PJs on any other than QF, so take your QF ones! It surprises me that CX doesn't offer PJs on the very long sectors like ORD or JFK-HKG. I quite like CX but I'm not totally enamoured with their new J seats - still a bit coffin-like to me, especially for a tall person getting their legs out.

I have not experienced JL or QR.

QR you get PJ's. I wore my QR PJ's on SQ last week to London - got some amused glances.

QR soft product is fantastic, hard product better IMO on A380/787. Although the 777 seat is massive and very comfortable. The dining on demand on QR is a great option - CX and QF doesn't do it. QR is 1x2x1 or 2x2x2 (777).

For me the CX seat (window alone 1x2x1) is much better than the drooping 2x2x2 that QF has at the moment. Just be wary flying through Hong Kong towards the end of the year (Typhoon season). Can be delays.

Haven't flown JL for a few years now.

 

[yohy?!]

CX J all the way (or even JL) - wouldnt risk getting a 737 or recliner A330 on the SYD-PER route with QF

 

[Daver6]

Excellent feedback. Thanks

I've flown QR J on the 777. Not sure what the food was like as I went straight to sleep and didn't wake till landing (DOH to PER).

Realistically I'm going to need to get to a hub/major port in the US to get home. That's flexible, so all options will be one stop home (unless JL don't have direct flights to PER).

Thinking out aloud, I think if I have the miles, I'll aim for QR...unless I decide a short stopover in HK is in order, in which case CX. The QR lounge in DOH is pretty amazing...but so are the CX lounges. Suspect in the end, the decision will come down to where I can get flights.

 

[clazman]

Having experienced QF and CX from Perth to the US, my recommendation is CX.

 

[drewbles]

I would take the QF A380 ahead of the CX flight.

I found the CX J seat to be narrow and harder to sleep in than the QF seat.
The CX leg I flew was JFK-HKG so got a long time in the seat.

Haven't flown JL long haul.

Respectfully disagree. I have had the best sleep on any a/c on CX in J. I cannot for the life of me sleep on Skybed mark I or II.

Each to their own of course

 

[Princess Fiona]

Respectfully disagree. I have had the best sleep on any a/c on CX in J. I cannot for the life of me sleep on Skybed mark I or II.

Each to their own of course

I'd agree with this. The 2-2-2 configuration on the QF A380 is also a big turn off as a solo traveller.

 

[exceladdict]

Remember, D6, that you won't get PJs on any other than QF, so take your QF ones! It surprises me that CX doesn't offer PJs on the very long sectors like ORD or JFK-HKG. I quite like CX but I'm not totally enamoured with their new J seats - still a bit coffin-like to me, especially for a tall person getting their legs out.

I have not experienced JL or QR.

Reviews of QR PER-DOH-IAH and CX DOH-HKG-PER and the associated lounges in the below TR.

Comparing the CX A330 with the QR 777s - which is what they were flying to PER at the time - i think QR took the cake, especially if travelling in a pair. If alone, I would more strongly consider CX as it was a little more private, but would probably still land on QR because of PJs, better soft product (meals) and better lounge - I preferred DOH J to all of the CX J lounges in HKG.

I'm just over 6ft and found the QR beds more spacious and comfortable also. The only thing against QR was the very bad connection time - 8hrs almost.

Also - pyjamas on QR!

 

[snabbu]

Respectfully disagree. I have had the best sleep on any a/c on CX in J. I cannot for the life of me sleep on Skybed mark I or II.

Each to their own of course

Agreed, i can't remember once not having a great sleep on CX. QF on the other hand with those horrible drooping seats, umm no.

I'd agree with this. The 2-2-2 configuration on the QF A380 is also a big turn off as a solo traveller.

Beats BA and their awkward "Hi how are you, every time the screen goes down" seats.

 

[jgm]

Apart from the better hard and soft product offerings (CX >> QF), the transit in HKG is far better than via SYD. If you go with QF, you will have to collect your luggage & clear immigration & customs in SYD, drop your luggage at the transit desk & the cath the bus to the domestic terminal. With CX transit at HKG you won't see you luggage until PER, & will stay in the same terminal & have a choice of lounges as well.

 

[casanovawa]

I've flown the QR 77W out of Houston to DOH then I had to go the long way to KUL and then MH down to PER as direct flights in J were available, but yeah my 4 QR 77W flights i found very good, dining on demand was nice, lounge in DOH very good, if only they were 1-2-1 it would be top marks on the 77Ws... Haven't flown CX J long haul but have flown a few AA 77W legs and think the hard products are much the same and I found these pretty good, specially 1-2-1 and CX's soft products and lounges would also be pretty top notch, might be a bit further from New Orleans to get to a port they fly out of....

Sadly i think QF's J product is lagging a little and as responses here have said you'd have change terminals in Sydney etc, not even the benefit of enjoying the Flounge on the outward leg...

Haven't flown JL but suppose I'll have to try them sometime...

 

[Moindardt]

Personally I would do CX or QR. I found both to be fantastic hard and soft product and excellent lounges in HKG and DOH.

I found JL to be a grave. It was too high for a coffin. It was also really short (I am 182 and had to bend my legs). The gap between the seats is tiny

 

[drewbles]

Not sure if this would be viable, but AA have the same Business seat on AA73 from LAX to SYD as CX do. Trans-con you could do QF from JFK to LAX, then connect onto the AA service (on a QF code if that suited the award). Would be the best routing and possibly less points if all on QF codes.