Flight advice: PE on Qantas (23h) or Business on CX (30-36h)

[nezbit]

Hello,

Need some advice. I have a work trip coming up for 5 days in Chicago and have two options for travel. Would you rather fly:

Option 1 (23h in Premium Econ)

MEL to LAX on Qantas Premium Economy (QF93)

21:10 - 18:30 (~14h)

Transit in LAX (~4h) with oneworld sapphire status

LAX to ORD on AA Economy (AA1683)

22:54 - 05:03 (~4h)

Returning ORD to LAX on AA Economy (QF3102)

17:00 - 19:17

LAX to MEL on Qantas Premium Economy (QF93)

OR

Option 2 (30-36h in Business)

MEL TO HKG on CX Business Class (CX104)

Transit in HKG (2.5h)

HKG to LAX on CX Business Class (CX880)

Transit in Lax (2.5h)

LAX to ORD on AA First Class (AA762)

Returning ORD to LAX on AA First Class (AA419)

Transit in LAX 3h

LAX to HKG on CX Business Class (CX881)

Transit in HKG 4.5h

HKG to MEL on CX business Class (CX163)

 

[OATEK]

While CX J is a good option, flying via HKG would not be my preferred option. Quite apart from the political relations between China and Australia it's the reliability of their services at present that would worry me.

 

[Forg]

IMHO if you’re someone who can sleep in Premium Economy, that could make a huge difference to the decision. My wife used to crash-out for 10hrs straight on a flight like that, even in Economy, and really didn’t get much out of the Business Class experience given she had QF Platinum at the time.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I think business class.

The extra 7 or so hours flying time will be taken up by sleep. You’ll arrive refreshed.

The LAX-ORD flights and v.v are reasonably long, and no joy in economy.

 

[Franky]

While CX J is a good option, flying via HKG would not be my preferred option. Quite apart from the political relations between China and Australia it's the reliability of their services at present that would worry me.

That's been said by many for quite a while now, but I don't recall seeing anyone post to say they have been adversely affected. All else being equal, I would go the CX route.

 

[offshore171]

I wouldn't risk CX or HKG right now

That means option 1

 

[Daver6]

Personally, I'd be taking the CX option. J over Y+ any day of the week. Heck, I'd consider CX J over QF J plus CX J lounge noodle bar.

 

[downgraded]

Only these 2 options? Once you're up to 36 hours of travel, what about going the other way via an ME carrier?
All things being equal CX J over any PE any day.

 

[Danger]

I've read the thread title only. Cathay any day of the week.

 

[jase05]

CX every day of the week for me. No way I’m sitting in Y+ for that amount of time.

 

[QF029]

CX J for me.

 

[bussyboy]

Sleep/Rest >> everything else

 

[FlyingKangaroo]

IMHO if you’re someone who can sleep in Premium Economy, that could make a huge difference to the decision. My wife used to crash-out for 10hrs straight on a flight like that, even in Economy, and really didn’t get much out of the Business Class experience given she had QF Platinum at the time.

+1.

I manage to sleep decently in Premium Economy and having done LAX-SIN-SYD earlier this year in Business, it was not worth the extra travel time over flying directly across the ocean. Two long-haul flights back-to-back is tough, in any class, and you're not going to sleep 20+ hours in a 36-hour period, so be prepared for a lot of jet-lagged sitting regardless, just perhaps more comfortably.

Especially given you'd still have lounge access in LAX with Option 1, I'd lean towards Option 1.

 

[cosi]

CX J for me.

+1 Its a no brainer. Good food and better seat.

 

[Forg]

This thread doesn’t seem to be addressing the political situation in Hong Kong overmuch?
Everyone’s saying “CX J is better”, which is of course correct; but does the jackboot of the CCP factor into that comment, given the current situation?
A mate of mine’s Chinese wife has been in Beijing since the whole bat-flu thing started, and she said my (Anglo-appearance) mate should definitely not go there given the current situation there. Bat-flu has been used as an excuse by the CCP to expel as many westerners as possible, and disseminate through the populace a notion that westerners are a source/vector of disease in general. Now I know that HK isn’t as firmly under the CCP boot-heel … but is it definitely still OK?

 

[jase05]

This thread doesn’t seem to be addressing the political situation in Hong Kong overmuch?
Everyone’s saying “CX J is better”, which is of course correct; but does the jackboot of the CCP factor into that comment, given the current situation?
A mate of mine’s Chinese wife has been in Beijing since the whole bat-flu thing started, and she said my (Anglo-appearance) mate should definitely not go there given the current situation there. Bat-flu has been used as an excuse by the CCP to expel as many westerners as possible, and disseminate through the populace a notion that westerners are a source/vector of disease in general. Now I know that HK isn’t as firmly under the CCP boot-heel … but is it definitely still OK?

I only know personally of 3 people that have transited in HKG recently and all said no issues whatsoever.

 

[Scarlett]

CX option

<daylight>

QF option

 

[QF029]

This thread doesn’t seem to be addressing the political situation in Hong Kong overmuch?
Everyone’s saying “CX J is better”, which is of course correct; but does the jackboot of the CCP factor into that comment, given the current situation?
A mate of mine’s Chinese wife has been in Beijing since the whole bat-flu thing started, and she said my (Anglo-appearance) mate should definitely not go there given the current situation there. Bat-flu has been used as an excuse by the CCP to expel as many westerners as possible, and disseminate through the populace a notion that westerners are a source/vector of disease in general. Now I know that HK isn’t as firmly under the CCP boot-heel … but is it definitely still OK?

We're talking about an airport transit not attending a protest in HKG. I could see a (small) risk they make some changes to the transit rules due to covid but I don't think the broader HKG situation is relevant to this specific question.

 

[nezbit]

I only know personally of 3 people that have transited in HKG recently and all said no issues whatsoever.

Confirming I had no issues during both transit events. Lounge also well serviced.