CX vs QF on MEL-LHR via HKG

[Mr_Gimlet]

I am heading over to the UK in March next year for a family trip with Mrs_G and have the choice of Cathay or Qantas on the dates we want to travel. We are paying so it's discount economy all the way! We are stopping on the way back for a couple of nights in HK to see friends. For the purposes of this question, there isn't much between them in terms of flight times etc - I have to go through HK on the way out with CX but we are connecting at LHR anyway.

The CX aircraft is A330 and A340, quick look at seatguru suggests the pitch and width is slightly larger than QF's 747 but I've never been on a CX long haul.

I am a QF plat.

CX pros: it's a bit cheaper (couple of hundred bucks each), flight will leave from near Pier lounge
QF pros: status bonus FFs for both of us, can get exit row(?), extremely small chance of an op-up

Could anyone share some information or express a view on the alternatives?

 

[serfty]

... I am a QF plat.

CX pros: it's a bit cheaper (couple of hundred bucks each), flight will leave from near Pier lounge
QF pros: status bonus FFs for both of us, can get exit row(?), extremely small chance of an op-up ...

Assuming Mrs_Gimlet is at least PG and you fly onward to LHR from HKG on QF, your combined status bonus alone represents nearly 25K QFF points.

And, yes, you can (as WP) request Exit row seat pre-allocation.

More than that, many Oz/UK return airfares listed as "Red e-deal" book into S or V class and are eligible for point upgrades when flying Qantas.

 

[Shano]

CX discount economy will only earn 0.5 points per mile, so by flying CX you would only earn 25% of the miles you would earn flying QF (as a WP with status bonus).

Only CX full Y pays 1 point per mile.

I flew on one of the new CX 773-ER's recently. These use the shell type seats in Y, so that reclining does not impinge on the pax behind you. In the upright position they are actually more comfortable (and more legroom) than the QF seats. It's when you try and recline that things go pear shaped.

They have a good AVOD system, although mine did require one reboot.

My flight was only 2 hours.

 

[littl_flier]

I flew on one of the new CX 773-ER's recently. These use the shell type seats in Y, so that reclining does not impinge on the pax behind you. In the upright position they are actually more comfortable (and more legroom) than the QF seats. It's when you try and recline that things go pear shaped.

As Serfty and Shano mention, the QF option is worth the extra couple on hundred dollars just for the points.

IIRC, the A340 is not being updated to CX's new product either (at present) which means there wouldn't be any shell seats on the HKG-LHR option or the new product that CX advertise.

You can get a reasonable idea of the Aircraft the new product is being offered on an the number of fleet fitted at Cathay Pacific - What's Onboard : Our Fleet > Airbus Industrie 340-300 and scroll through the different aircraft options.

 

[Mr_Gimlet]

Thanks everyone for your help so far.

1. The QF fare would be in S class according to my draft itinerary, so to try and upgrade would be the discount economy to business points quote?

2. Mrs_G is partner gold, so going QF vs CX is therefore worth 60k points? (CX gives 10k base, vs 20k on QF)

 

[Shano]

Difference would be ~ 50,000 points

For a ~20,000 mile round trip:

QF = 70,000 points
QF WP: 20,000 (base) + 20,000 (status bonus) = 40,000
QF SG: 20,000 (base) + 10,000 (status bonus) = 30,000

CX = 20,000 points

QF WP: 10,000 (base)
QF SG: 10,000 (base)

 

[NM]

Thanks everyone for your help so far.

1. The QF fare would be in S class according to my draft itinerary, so to try and upgrade would be the discount economy to business points quote?

Correct

2. Mrs_G is partner gold, so going QF vs CX is therefore worth 60k points? (CX gives 10k base, vs 20k on QF)

Keep in mind there is no status bonus for CX flights

 

[Mr_Gimlet]

Thanks everyone - leaning towards Qantas subject to flight times and availability.

I tried to search for this, but what are regarded as the best seats on a 747-440 that I can actually get? Seatguru suggests the pairs of seats towards the back but they are shown as blocked out in checkmytrip, exit row as suggested above can be requested by plats but is it worth having? (My current allocation is 36A/B)

What should I be asking for?

 

[littl_flier]

I tried to search for this, but what are regarded as the best seats on a 747-440 that I can actually get? Seatguru suggests the pairs of seats towards the back but they are shown as blocked out in checkmytrip, exit row as suggested above can be requested by plats but is it worth having? (My current allocation is 36A/B)

What should I be asking for?

As a passenger with status, you can definitely book these pair seats but I don't think they are available for non status.

As a Plat, you can also request the exit rows be assigned for stacks of legroom. Just be aware that these are near the toilets and you may get bumped during the flight. I think they're Serfty's favourite so he might tell us about his experience with this. (I was on NZ in exit rows and found I got bumped and everyone would congregate around to line up for the toilets) Avoid the window seats in these rows as well, on the 747 the door sticks out and severely limits the legroom.

As a plat, you will also have access to the first few rows of economy that normal pax won't have access to either.

 

[JohnK]

I think they're Serfty's favourite so he might tell us about his experience with this.

Exit row aisle is now my favourite seat as well even more so than bulkhead. The window seat is a little restrictive in leg room.

The major advantage, and most important, is that no one can recline in front of you and you have plenty of leg room.

Yes people can congregate in front of you and the TV and tray table are in your armrest causing the seat to be a little narrower but these are minor setbacks. I get my shoulder, arm and elbow knocked all the time when sitting in a normal aisle seat anyway.

 

[serfty]

Personally 35H is my (current) favorite, followed by any aisle exit row seat.

If a night flight in an aisle exit row, make sure you wear white socks and rest them on a pillow placed on the floor while sleeping. This makes it easier for pax milling around the loo and exit area to see where your feet are.

Use industrial strength earplugs as you are likely to be next to a bub or three.

Take a small light bag or satchel (a 'green' shopping bag is fine) to store your documents, books etc at your feet when the seat belt sign is off as you have no-seat pocket storage within reach.

One further note, on the 3-class 744's 46/58 A/K window exit seats have a large life raft cowling in the door - they take significant space. Note that 46A/K have no window and about 20 cm leg room before the cowling than 58A/K.

Here's an image of 29A on a 2-class:

 

[Shano]

Personally 34H is my (current) favorite....

Would that be 35H, unless you are on good terms with the crew...

I am on a QF187 next month. What are people's preferences in Y on the Airbus 333?

I would have put in a request for the exit row, but it is significantly further back in the Y cabin than on the 744.

Are the bulkhead seats any good, or is legroom restricted?

I have not flown on the 333 before in Y, only 1 short SYD-MEL hop in J.

 

[JohnK]

Are the bulkhead seats any good, or is legroom restricted?

I used to swear by row 23 B/H aisle bulkhead but prefer the exit row now even though it further back.

Row 23 aisle is OK as you can stretch your leg(s) out slightly due to the cut out section of the bulkhead. Some people say that row 23 window is OK but I found the legroom severely restricted and had pains in my legs when I got off a 7 hour flight.

 

[serfty]

Would that be 35H, unless you are on good terms with the crew... ...

Yep!