EY / CX / JL F reviews

[potm]

Good to hear about the luggage. Keep us updated on what you manage to negotiate.

 

[boomy]

CX use good quality Bose NC headphones.



The bed was very comfortable, wide, soft and high quality sheets. Found it similar to the QF F bed. For some reason I didn't take photo, probably was too drunk and tired

Woke up naturally about two hours before landing. I'm not huge fan of breakfast on planes so asked the FA if any caviar left and fortunately I've lucked out



Was still hungry so orders Sweet curd cheese pancake which was delicious!



Finished the meal with Orange sweet curd soufflé which tasted much better than it looks.



Had enough sugar for the whole week but it did the job to woke me up before landing

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I must be missing something here. CX and LH aren't even partners and you were on an award ticket, this seems like an odd move considering the original flight wasn't canceled.

But great TR, I am enjoying the read.

As boomy points out - there is nothing 'odd' about this at all. Australian airlines like to have terms and conditions which restrict (re)accommodation in the event of IRROPS to 'own services only'. In the US that's pretty much unheard of - they'll put you on another carrier if necessary. EU261 in Europe also helps - airlines would rather put you on another carrier than have hefty compensation to pay out. Award ticket makes no difference (nor should it) - except maybe if you go back to looking at Australia. Which should not be considered an example of best practice.

 

[boomy]

Normally when flying to HK for business I stay there at least a night or two but this time I'm only stopping for 9 hours so will have to get shower at the airport.
CX operates an arrival lounge where J & F pax can freshen up after their flights. The lounge is located outside under the train station.



When I got there there was a British guy who had BA J upgrade ticket. The lounge angel tried to explain very politely that under the T&Cs he can't enter. He didn't accept that answer and started arguing that he managed to enter before and all he wants is to have shower. At that point I was going to offer him guesting to the contract lounge located just opposite (using my Priority Pass to enter plus one guest) but then he became abusive and started swearing at the poor CX girl who kept her cool and didn't budge so in the end no lounge access at all for the rude pommy.

The lounge is basic but has everything needed for a short stay. Food, drinks, computers, dining area, relaxation area working area (for people using laptops) and most importantly clean showers.

 

[boomy]

I had a very busy day rushing through meeting in HK and arrived back to airport later than planed. I've tried to book the next morning flight so could stay overnight in HK but it meant I'd have 26 hours stopover which breaches AA award redemption rules. No big deal, afternoon departure is better anyway, especially when it's on one of their few B747s left.

Boarding gate was somewhere in the middle between The Wing and The Pier so the choice was easy.



I didn't have much time to spend there, barley managed have quick foot massage and finish a bowl of Dan Dan noodles before someone came to tell me my flight is on final call (no boarding calls made in this lounge, only delayed flights announcements).
I didn't take any photos on this visit so I'm going to "cheat" and post some photos taken few months ago but nothing has changed since.







The bar

 

[boomy]

The "living room"

 

[boomy]

The dining room









Relaxing at the bar after good meal

 

[boomy]

Foot massage room



Private relaxation rooms





No doubt this is one of the most impressive and stylish F lounges out there. CX did great job here.

 

[blackcat20]

Normally when flying to HK for business I stay there at least a night or two but this time I'm only stopping for 9 hours so will have to get shower at the airport.
CX operates an arrival lounge where J & F pax can freshen up after their flights. The lounge is located outside under the train station.

View attachment 78101

When I got there there was a British guy who had BA J upgrade ticket. The lounge angel tried to explain very politely that under the T&Cs he can't enter. He didn't accept that answer and started arguing that he managed to enter before and all he wants is to have shower. At that point I was going to offer him guesting to the contract lounge located just opposite (using my Priority Pass to enter plus one guest) but then he became abusive and started swearing at the poor CX girl who kept her cool and didn't budge so in the end no lounge access at all for the rude pommy.

The lounge is basic but has everything needed for a short stay. Food, drinks, computers, dining area, relaxation area working area (for people using laptops) and most importantly clean showers.

View attachment 78102

View attachment 78103

View attachment 78104

View attachment 78105

Handy to know about the arrivals lounge as we may have the opportunity to use it next year...

 

[get me outta here]

Just be aware that those 2 photos show the full size of the lounge, it's very small. But most useful for very early arrivals before the trains and buses start service.

Handy to know about the arrivals lounge as we may have the opportunity to use it next year...

 

[MEL_Traveller]

But most useful for very early arrivals before the trains and buses start service.

And for storing hand luggage if you have a day stopover and wish to head into town. They will either put your bags in a locker or behind the desk and keep an eye on them for you.

 

[boomy]

Handy to know about the arrivals lounge as we may have the opportunity to use it next year...

What's the plan?
Considering CX F?

 

[boomy]

The glorious B747 ready to go on one of it's last flights. Sadly the whole fleet will be retired by 1st Oct.



One of the best looking old F cabins I've been on.



Even if the cabin looks a bit dated I'll still take row 1 on the 747 over 777 any day.

 

[blackcat20]

Just be aware that those 2 photos show the full size of the lounge, it's very small. But most useful for very early arrivals before the trains and buses start service.

And for storing hand luggage if you have a day stopover and wish to head into town. They will either put your bags in a locker or behind the desk and keep an eye on them for you.

All I need is a quick shower before hitting the city for the day.

What's the plan?
Considering CX F?

CX J from LAX to MEL with a day in HKG on the way. Dont quite have enough QFF to go for F.

 

[boomy]

CX J from LAX to MEL with a day in HKG on the way. Dont quite have enough QFF to go for F.

CX J is nice too, much better than QF A380/B747 J.
Good choice for your route. Another option to consider is JL J, very good connection time in NRT.

 

[boomy]

The very spacious seat



Plenty of storage space



One of the nicest toilets I've seen on B747, two windows and enough room to change comfortably.

 

[blackcat20]

CX J is nice too, much better than QF A380/B747 J.
Good choice for your route. Another option to consider is JL J, very good connection time in NRT.

There's been a weird lack of reward availability out of the US for the last month. No QR, no JL. Or only 1 seat. So between QF J and CX J,I'd rather try the latter.

 

[boomy]

This is something I don't understand, on the 777 they have good quality Bose headphones but on the 747 they still use the old model.



Is it really that hard to provide proper NC headphones on all F cabins? I know this is an older cabin but it's not an excuse to neglect the product.

Another thing that bothered me, I get it they don't give amenity kits on short sectors, fair enough but no slippers, on an Asian airline, in F?! That's stingy.
I know CX are not the only one, TG also don't offer slippers on intra-Asia flights but other airlines like BR for example do offer in J! The small things do matter.

F&B menus were handed out before departure and few minutes later the CSM came to take the orders.

Food menu





Drink menu





Had one glass of Deutz 2006 and it was more than enough. IMO this champagne shouldn't even be served in J. Luckily the Reds were much better.

 

[blackcat20]

This is something I don't understand, on the 777 they have good quality Bose headphones but on the 747 they still use the old model.

View attachment 78176

Is it really that hard to provide proper NC headphones on all F cabins? I know this is an older cabin but it's not an excuse to neglect the product.

Another thing that bothered me, I get it they don't give amenity kits on short sectors, fair enough but no slippers, on an Asian airline, in F?! That's stingy.
I know CX are not the only one, TG also don't offer slippers on intra-Asia flights but other airlines like BR for example do offer in J! The small things do matter.

F&B menus were handed out before departure and few minutes later the CSM came to take the orders.

Food menu

View attachment 78177

View attachment 78178

Drink menu

View attachment 78179

View attachment 78180

Had one glass of Deutz 2006 and it was more than enough. IMO this champagne shouldn't even be served in J. Luckily the Reds were much better.

Is the champagne that bad?

 

[boomy]

Is the champagne that bad?

It's drinkable, just not to my taste. I can think of cheaper non-vintage champagnes that are better.