QF vs VA vs CX to JFK

[MrMNJ]

Hi Folks,

I've had a lot of good advice from the experts on here about my previous flight decisions, I thought I would pose yet another first-world conundrum...

I'm planning a week-long trip to New York in April, and would like to check your collective opinions on airlines to New York.

My options (based on similar Business Class pricing) are as follows:

1. QF: MEL-LAX-JFK return, no stopover. Potential for upgrade request to F.
2. VA: MEL-SYD-LAX-JFK return, no stopover
3. CX: MEL- HKG- JFK return. Long transit in HKG (enough time to head into the city for a couple of hours each way)

So, which would you recommend (and why?)

What do you think?

Cheers!

 

[clazman]

Isolated in Perth, I always take the CX, PER - HKG - JFK, for the following reasons
- 1 plane change
- Ability to spend 2 hours or 8 in HKG depending on which connecting flight i select
- The seat to me is more comfortable
- I like CX service
- Being slightly fussy in food, always had something I can eat
- IFE on a large screen

 

[MH_fan]

If you can get the VA flight for about $5500, it's a no-brainer. VA in J were fantastic to LAX and DL are very good with their Delta One product. DL's lounges are better than AA's.

 

[Hvr]

I've done 1 and 3.

The best part about the CX trip is missing LAX.

 

[wandering_fred]

Another alternative - especially if you want SC - would be MEL-HKG-SFO (CX j) //SFO-DFW-JFK (AA first class). Still avoids LAX. Well at least one way

Happy wandering

Fred

 

[get me outta here]

HVR, did you get PJs on yr CX (J?) HKG - JFK? I am in J HKG to EWR - similar flt time.

I've done 1 and 3.

The best part about the CX trip is missing LAX.

 

[knasty]

Does mileage accrual play a part? If not I'd go for option 3. As others have said it avoids LAX and SYD, plus no stress on stopover and direct aisle access. I'd also look into JAL options as I've found JAL to have very competitive prices (ie <6k) ex Syd, and I assume you'd be able to tag on the domestic legs on their fares.

 

[madrooster]

I'd also look into JAL options as I've found JAL to have very competitive prices (ie <6k) ex Syd, and I assume you'd be able to tag on the domestic legs on their fares.

The fare exists for the same price ex-BNE and MEL too. A TA may be needed to sell it to you though.

 

[11sjw]

HVR, did you get PJs on yr CX (J?) HKG - JFK? I am in J HKG to EWR - similar flt time.

Flew PER-HKG-JFK in J Xmas '14 and didn't get any PJ's then.

I agree with the others that missing LAX & SYD is an added incentive to the CX option.

 

[get me outta here]

Oh that's sad, and I guess it hasn't changed recently. BYO jarms then.

Flew PER-HKG-JFK in J Xmas '14 and didn't get any PJ's then.

I agree with the others that missing LAX & SYD is an added incentive to the CX option.

 

[hutch]

If your keen on a stopover in HKG, then Cathay has a great business class with some great lounges at HKG. Certainly the most comfortable way to fly.

But I assume the QF flight will have a much shorter travel time and you're only going for a week. So perhaps less travel time has some value. I personally don't think LAX will be an issue here as your flights will all be same terminal and I think TBIT is pretty good these days.

VA brings in a SYD transfer and given the short time frame I would avoid unnecessary stops.

 

[wandering_fred]

From PER it really depends on where in the USA you are headed.

The normal choices for a SYD/MEL connection to the USA from PER would require the red eye or the 0530. Neither of which appeal to any great extent. And I vaguely recall a 6 hour connection in SYD on a xONEx. So with a short connection in HKG and a destination better suited by YYZ/ORD/BOS/JFK CX can provide a shorter and less expensive flight (from PER)

Obligatory comment: Some airlines are just too SYD-centric.

Happy wandering

Fred