HKG > SYD - Virgin Atlantic or Cathay Pacific in business class?

[Pollywaffle]

Hi all.

I am buying a RTW business class ticket and on the final leg (HKG>SYD) can choose between Virgin Atlantic and Cathay Pacific.

I've never flown on either airline so I have no preference at this time. Flight times are all suitable (leaving bw 7pm-12am- ish) so no one time is better than others.

Which airline would you choose and why?

Thanks, pw.

 

[Hvr]

What is the route? Different planes influence the choice.

 

[Pollywaffle]

Hong Kong to Sydney.

I've got it in the title but will go back and add it into the post.

 

[Hvr]

Whoops so you did, sorry about my lack of reading comprehension.

Having travelled CX business class on in the 'coffin seat' I would do it again tomorrow.

 

[Pollywaffle]

Having travelled CX business class on in the 'coffin seat' I would do it again tomorrow.

A coffin seat? Does not sound appealing. LOL.

 

[kamchatsky]

The new CX J Cirrus seats are very good. See review here.

Review: Cathay Pacific

CX101 HKG-SYD has this product at the moment. Not sure if other flights has it but you can check it out at FT:

Planned Routes with new 777-300ER/A333 Business Class Product (aka Cirrus) - FlyerTalk Forums

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/cath...thread-everything-you-want-know-about-cx.html

 

[Boris spatsky]

CX. Both old coffin seats and new cirrus seats are fantastic. Great AVOD, great service.

 

[amaroo]

CX for me.

Great airline.......my favorite!

 

[k3nnis]

Are you with any Frequent flyer programs? Oneworld?

 

[simongr]

Are you with any Frequent flyer programs? Oneworld?

This FTW!

Both have good seats and depending on the width of your ar$e you should be fine in the CX coffins. I love the new CX seats as you would see me frequently talking about them on this site

On the basis of comparable product the earning should be the differentiator.

 

[yohy?!]

Virgin Atlantic operates the A340 on this route which if you are comparing to the standard business cabin offered by Cathay is superior.

Bigger, roomier cabin; sit down bar and the herringbone seats have a more open design than CX which avoids the 'coffin' feeling.

 

[Pollywaffle]

Thanks for the responses.

Most of my FF points are with SQ (approx 110K) but I've also got a QFF collection (approx 25k). At this stage I am not as fussed with the FF points as I am with the experience. The rest of the itinerary is with Star Alliance (United & Swiss). It's only this leg that I have the option of either.

The travel agent recommended Virgin, so it's been interesting to read that most people here say Cathay Pacific.

 

[ANstar]

I'd do Virgin. The seats are roomy and you have the nice clubhouse in HKG to use. I also like the fact you can have a drink or two at the bar onboard which is not something you can do on alot of airlines, so definately has a novelty factor. They have also recently refreshed their J food service and a lot of the reviews have been very positive.

 

[smart1999]

I'm in the exact same situation as the OP. I need to decide by tomorrow which one to take. I'm tending towards Virgin because I really love the NZ seats and believe Virgin are the same. WIth CX I see that all the flights (at least the day I'm flying next week) will be operated by A330-300 aircrafts. To me it appears that all of them have only the old style regional seats in business...nothing flat and looks pretty horrific on the web. Am I doing something wrong or is that really the product the offer SYD to HKG on the 4th of June?

If so, it makes my choice very easy. I'll go Virgin even though I'm not earning any points for it.

 

[ANstar]

I'm in the exact same situation as the OP. I need to decide by tomorrow which one to take. I'm tending towards Virgin because I really love the NZ seats and believe Virgin are the same.

Yes the Virgin seats are the same as the NZ ones. They have also recently brought in thicker bed cover thingies so it is a much softer sleep.

 

[amaroo]

I'm in the exact same situation as the OP. I need to decide by tomorrow which one to take. I'm tending towards Virgin because I really love the NZ seats and believe Virgin are the same. WIth CX I see that all the flights (at least the day I'm flying next week) will be operated by A330-300 aircrafts. To me it appears that all of them have only the old style regional seats in business...nothing flat and looks pretty horrific on the web. Am I doing something wrong or is that really the product the offer SYD to HKG on the 4th of June?

If so, it makes my choice very easy. I'll go Virgin even though I'm not earning any points for it.

Pretty sure the CX SYD flights have the new J seats - http://www.cathaypacific.com/cpa/en_AU/whatonboard/newbusinessclass

 

[smart1999]

Pretty sure the CX SYD flights have the new J seats - Cathay Pacific - What's Onboard : Travel Classes > Business Class

Hm, if that's the case my decision just got more complicated. For some reason I thought they were using old regional seats on that route. But if it's even better than the NZ/Virgin seats that might make me change my mind. Can anyone else confirm that they are using their new business product on the route from Sydney?

I guess I'm not used to being spoiled by Star ALliance airlines as they mostly dump their old equipment on the routes to Sydney.

 

[amaroo]

Hm, if that's the case my decision just got more complicated. For some reason I thought they were using old regional seats on that route. But if it's even better than the NZ/Virgin seats that might make me change my mind. Can anyone else confirm that they are using their new business product on the route from Sydney?

I guess I'm not used to being spoiled by Star ALliance airlines as they mostly dump their old equipment on the routes to Sydney.

A) Do a dummy booking with CX & checkout the seat map for the flight you actually want.
B) Get on Flyertalk and checkout the CX board & do a search
C) I'm willing to bet my left one that's there is no way the regional seats are coming to Oz let alone SYD
D) I'm game to bet my right one that the new J seats are coming to SYD.....not the other ports around Oz

 

[skywalkerLAX]

CX delivers a solid product and you can collect some OW Miles.

VS is a bit more stylish and fun, I like it because flying all year VS is always refreshingly entertaining.

Though: HKG-SYD is an overnight flight so maybe not too much difference. The Virgin Clubhouse in HKG is VERY nice and would definitely be a pro-VS argument. Not sure about your oneWorld status but even the Pier F Lounge isn't as nice as the VS Clubhouse and The Wing First Class Lounge is under renovation right now (in case you are Emerald).

 

[Pollywaffle]

I'm in the exact same situation as the OP. I need to decide by tomorrow which one to take. I'm tending towards Virgin because I really love the NZ seats and believe Virgin are the same.

What did you end up choosing? Either way, I'd like to know how the trip went.

I am erring towards CX only because of the later departure time, which would give me a few more hours in HKG. I still haven't bought my ticket though. I am meant to be travelling with a friend but her leave has not been approved yet...some 6 weeks down the track!

I am getting frustrated as I think I might miss out on any deals that finish on May 31. I am travelling late August and am now within 3 months of departure - not sure how many deals will be around.