JAL Apex 787-9 vs Cathay A350 J?

[FF98]

Hi All,

Heading to Osaka from Melbourne.
Options are :
1. JAL 787-9 MEL-NRT, NRT-ITM arriving 7:50pm. 90k QFF points + ~$425 tax
2. one day later, CX A350 MEL-HKG, HKG-KIX Arriving 9pm. 104.5k QFF points +$320 tax

Alternatively, there is a CX flight same day as JAL, but the timing is probably not ideal. Arriving HKG 9:50pm, with a flight to KIX at 1:50am and arriving 6:20am. Would probably be too tired to start the holidays and too early for hotel checkin.
Which would you pick?

 

[aaa99]

I would probably pick the JAL apex suites over Cathay for the seat.

If you said HKG-NRT, I would be tempted to go Cathay as they are operating their Aria suite aircraft to there on some flights.

The main issue would b taking out the bags upon arrival at Tokyo. The lounges in Hong Kong are of course very nice, so that's a consideration too.

 

[FF98]

I would probably pick the JAL apex suites over Cathay for the seat.

If you said HKG-NRT, I would be tempted to go Cathay as they are operating their Aria suite aircraft to there on some flights.

The main issue would b taking out the bags upon arrival at Tokyo. The lounges in Hong Kong are of course very nice, so that's a consideration too.

MEL-NRT arrives at 3:15pm, and NRT-ITM departs at 6:25pm, from what I read there should be plenty of time to make the flight.

Yes I considered the lounges in HKIA too. But the MEL-HKG flight arrives at 2:55pm, and HKG-KIX departs at 4:40pm. Not sure if enough time to fully enjoy the lounges!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Apex suite is one of the best business class seats out there. So spacious in fact that it never became popular with the airlines! It would not be out of place as a first class seat TBH.

That being said, via HKG would still give you plenty of lounge time. 255 arrival would have you in a lounge by 310 at the latest. Giving you an hour for the lounge. That’s more than enough time. If you have access to the first class lounge you might need a little longer, but you’d still get a good look-in in that time.