CI A350 + Cathay A330 vs JAL 787-8 J

[FF98]

Hi All,

Looking at a dummy booking from Melbourne to Osaka in J with QFF points.

Option 1 : China Airlines (CI) A350 + Cathay A330. Night departure, layover in Taoyuan airport in the morning. 105k QFF points

Option 2 : JAL 787-8 to Tokyo, then a domestic 737-800. 90k QFF points.

Which would you go for if points is not an issue?

 

[yachty]

JAL, easily. Best economy in the sky. Seats are wider than anyone else, and lots of legroom. Just make sure you don't book an itinerary with an airport change in Tokyo.

 

[FF98]

JAL, easily. Best economy in the sky. Seats are wider than anyone else, and lots of legroom. Just make sure you don't book an itinerary with an airport change in Tokyo.

Is it a similar sentiment for Business class?

 

[Sprucegoose]

Is it a similar sentiment for Business class?

I didn't enjoy my last JL788 J flight.

I was introduced to CX over 30 years ago and still compare all my premium flights to them. Sure, they've had their rough patches, but their crews are generally less robotic while still delivering.

JL?

 

[Matt_01]

My 2 cents worth is take a closer to the flights and what works for you. For your option 1 CI is a very good product MEL-TPE although the lounge in MEL is not the best. TPE-KIX with CX will you be back tracking through HKG. Your option 2 JL have many different J offerings, I have flown MEL-NRT in J and from memory it was 6 abreast. Domestic JL can also be hit and miss if using QF points. At times you will be booked into 'J class' which is not much different to Y+ or you end up in Y.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hi All,

Looking at a dummy booking from Melbourne to Osaka in J with QFF points.

Option 1 : China Airlines (CI) A350 + Cathay A330. Night departure, layover in Taoyuan airport in the morning. 105k QFF points

Option 2 : JAL 787-8 to Tokyo, then a domestic 737-800. 90k QFF points.

Which would you go for if points is not an issue?

If it’s a sky suite configured 787, that’s the apex seat which is pretty much my favourite business class seat… a window is comparable to a first class suite in terms of privacy and length of the bed.

I’d have no hesitations booking the sky suite.

International business class connecting to domestic in economy will still get you lounge access in tokyo before your onward flight.

 

[elanshin]

My 2 cents worth is take a closer to the flights and what works for you. For your option 1 CI is a very good product MEL-TPE although the lounge in MEL is not the best. TPE-KIX with CX will you be back tracking through HKG.

CX flies TPE >KIX direct

 

[Matt_01]

CX flies TPE >KIX direct

I did not know this and handy to know.

 

[tmdl]

I am actually looking at exactly the same flight for October, currently booked CI in J (SYD-TPE & TPE-KIX) a little annoyed, as the flight to KIX got down graded from the 777 to the A330

 

[FF98]

I am actually looking at exactly the same flight for October, currently booked CI in J (SYD-TPE & TPE-KIX) a little annoyed, as the flight to KIX our plane got down graded from the 777 to the A330

That's good you got CI for both flights. CI seem to have removed QFF redemptions from TPE-KIX.

 

[tmdl]

That's good you got CI for both flights. CI seem to have removed QFF redemptions from TPE-KIX.

I just look and there is nothing available.

Has ANYONE flown CI in J lately? want to know what the wine list was like?

 

[encryptededdy]

I don't know if it still happens, but last time I checked (last year) JAL would sometimes swaps out the MEL-NRT 787-8 from Sky Suite to Shell Flat Neo (angle flat) seats.

Anyway, I'd pick the CI + CX option because I actually really enjoy the CI business class. Main reason to pick the JL option for me would be if you had oneworld Emerald and could use the Melbourne FLounge. IIRC the lounge CI uses is Marhaba in Melbourne and it's not very good.

 

[MelbFlyer]

Not CI vs JL, but I'm tossing up between JL or QF business class from MEL to Tokyo.

I'm leaning towards sticking with QF as it's 1-2-1 rather than the 2-2-2 narrower product on JL (B787).

I've been on QF business a few times, never been on JL before even in Economy.

Thinking of just trying JL, but the hard product seems inferior. Soft service should be excellent though, knowing Japanese hospitality and food.

I generally put the hard product over the soft product. Decisions.

JAL would sometimes swaps out the MEL-NRT 787-8 from Sky Suite to Shell Flat Neo (angle flat) seats.

This would be a massive disappointment. This would sway me even further with sticking with QF.

 

[encryptededdy]

I'm leaning towards sticking with QF as it's 1-2-1 rather than the 2-2-2 narrower product on JL (B787).

The 2-2-2 Apex Suite window seat is very good and has direct aisle access, don't dismiss it because it's 2-2-2.

 

[tmdl]

Personally I would go CI A350 purely based on the wine list

China Airlines business class?

I have to say, if their website isn’t lying then they’ve very much upped their inflight meal game since 2018! https://www.china-airlines.com/us/en/fly/on-board/fleet/onboard_dining_introductions

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[MelbFlyer]

The 2-2-2 Apex Suite window seat is very good and has direct aisle access, don't dismiss it because it's 2-2-2.

I didn't mention anything about direct aisle access as I'm aware of the layout of it.

It was moreso that it's narrower and also lacks the privacy (ie. retractable panel has to be lowered on take-off / landing etc) of even QFs A330/B787/A380 business class product.

52cm vs 58cm seat width plus the lack of a useful / proper side table on JL is a huge difference IMO.

 

[encryptededdy]

True, but I would say other than takeoff and landing the Apex Suites are the most private seats without a door. Agree storage can be annoying.