What are CX J seats like BNE/LHR

[sanne]

Hi Guys

Hoping you can give me some advice.

We're using points to buy 2 J seats to Barcelona via LHR September 2016. I've been looking to see what the situation is for getting 2 J seats to London - we do this flight every year and always fly QF via MEL or SYD although not always award flights, sometimes we pay for them.

It seems these QF J award flights are very thin on the ground now so I'm looking at going with CX.

We've never flown long haul with CX and would value some input as to what we can expect. We've been very happy with QF, Emirates and BA business. We're looking at getting the night flight BNE/HKG and then onwards to LHR.

Any thoughts about the seats, service, lounge etc would be very welcome.

Thanks.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hi Guys

Hoping you can give me some advice.

We're using points to buy 2 J seats to Barcelona via LHR September 2016. I've been looking to see what the situation is for getting 2 J seats to London - we do this flight every year and always fly QF via MEL or SYD although not always award flights, sometimes we pay for them.

It seems these QF J award flights are very thin on the ground now so I'm looking at going with CX.

We've never flown long haul with CX and would value some input as to what we can expect. We've been very happy with QF, Emirates and BA business. We're looking at getting the night flight BNE/HKG and then onwards to LHR.

Any thoughts about the seats, service, lounge etc would be very welcome.

Thanks.

The CX seat is better than all of the ones you mention - with the only downside being that couples travelling together aren't going to have as easy a time speaking to each other as you might get on the other carriers.

This is because CX's seats are a reverse herringbone, and very private... there really aren't any seats close to each other (although the centre seats you could probably strain to speak to each other).

Overall - the CX bed wins hands down... spacious, long, private. The seat on the A330 and 777 is pretty much the same, although the 777 is slightly bigger in its dimensions because of the wider cabin.

So those are the highlights... as for the rest of the service... each airline has their pros and cons. CX has so-so food but will serve you multiple full meals (no continental breakfasts, or cafe breakfasts), and will serve those meals very quickly allowing you to rest or sleep. QF will have better food, but you could be waiting 2,5-3 hours before they finish serving.

In business class probably no airline is perfect, but CX is a solid all-round product. (BYO PJs)

 

[smit0847]

CX ... will serve those meals very quickly allowing you to rest or sleep.

I completely disagree! Every CX overnight flight ive had the service has been painfully slow.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Agree with most of mel_travellers thoughts on CX. Personally I find CX the best business of the airlines you mention however it's because I prefer the reverse herringbone seat. However if you are burning points it's possible to mix things up and go one way on Emirates and one way CX if you can secure seats. I put both CX and EK miles ahead of qantas and British airways biz class in almost every aspect.

Another option is Qatar if you're feeling a little more adventurous in your flight routing their product is stellar.

 

[clazman]

HK to NYC on CX in J (15 hour flight) couldn't ask for more comfortable seat / bed with great food. Always sit in the middle seats with Clazgirl and find it easy to communicate whilst have my privacy

 

[exceladdict]

Agree with most of mel_travellers thoughts on CX. Personally I find CX the best business of the airlines you mention however it's because I prefer the reverse herringbone seat. However if you are burning points it's possible to mix things up and go one way on Emirates and one way CX if you can secure seats. I put both CX and EK miles ahead of qantas and British airways biz class in almost every aspect.

Another option is Qatar if you're feeling a little more adventurous in your flight routing their product is stellar.

+1. Having done some very-extended J legs on QR (773, 772 and 330) and CX (330), (in one case, LHR>DOH>HKG>PER) QR won hands down in all circumstances. Bigger, more comfortable bed. Food on demand and exemplary service. (TR Below). And for a couple, the side by side beds mean easy conversation.

 

[Kceips]

+1. Having done some very-extended J legs on QR (773, 772 and 330) and CX (330), (in one case, LHR>DOH>HKG>PER) QR won hands down in all circumstances. Bigger, more comfortable bed. Food on demand and exemplary service. (TR Below). And for a couple, the side by side beds mean easy conversation.

My husband and I have recently flown CX J (a330 and 777) and QR J(777, a330, 787 and new A350) We loved J product on both airlines - Qr has reverse herringbone lie flat on newer products (787, a350), 777 was like QA lie flat and A330 was angle flat - so you need to carefully check if you have a certain preference.

 

[11sjw]

HK to NYC on CX in J (15 hour flight) couldn't ask for more comfortable seat / bed with great food. Always sit in the middle seats with Clazgirl and find it easy to communicate whilst have my privacy

Agree with clazman's first sentence. Flew PER-HKG-NYC return.

We chose to sit either side of an aisle as we agreed sleep would be the priority over communicating. The infrequent chats meant getting out of our seat which was a good thing.

 

[sanne]

Thanks for all your replies. Lots of different views. I guess for us the shortest time to get from BNE to LHR is preferable…not getting any younger!! So CX is looking OK and using points there is not a lot of choice anyway.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thanks for all your replies. Lots of different views. I guess for us the shortest time to get from BNE to LHR is preferable…not getting any younger!! So CX is looking OK and using points there is not a lot of choice anyway.

A good thing to remember with CX is that the service is fairly 'hands-off' in approach. Outside of main meal times the crew generally leave passengers to their own devices. If you need anything, at any time, don't hesitate to use the call bell and the crew will be with you quickly. This is the way CX chooses to do their service - they actively encourage the use of the call bell rather than have crew circulate the cabin frequently.

 

[sanne]

A good thing to remember with CX is that the service is fairly 'hands-off' in approach. Outside of main meal times the crew generally leave passengers to their own devices. If you need anything, at any time, don't hesitate to use the call bell and the crew will be with you quickly. This is the way CX chooses to do their service - they actively encourage the use of the call bell rather than have crew circulate the cabin frequently.

Thanks. That is very good advice. I actually prefer that sort of service. It's there when you need it but doesn't constantly interrupt.

 

[smckay]

I'm going to disagree on the CX service. Last Christmas I was always interrupted by crew when I had headphones on and watching a movie, to the point where they leaned in front of me just to ask if I needed anything. I'd use the call bell if I did!
Seats were good, nice and wide to bend zee knees.
This would be the seat a little bit forward to see your neighbour. The little cupboard to the left opens if you want them not to eyeball you.

Bummer about the PJ's but, I do appreciate new sets

 

[Dr Bob]

Hi Guys


We've never flown long haul with CX and would value some input as to what we can expect. We've been very happy with QF, Emirates and BA business. We're looking at getting the night flight BNE/HKG and then onwards to LHR.

Any thoughts about the seats, service, lounge etc would be very welcome.

Thanks.

We have just returned London / Sydney in J & the seats in the 777 were more comfortable than the 330, for me anyway, & I did manage to sleep both legs. Service was good, quick & efficient & with the touch screen IFE it was easy to pause move the head phone & order or refill wine. Most refills were just a lift of the glass, I think they got use to me. The food was fine, I had a great fillet steak out of London & took the asian dishes out of Hong Kong finishing with the cheeses & port both times.
You are spoilt for lounges in HK. The Wing is big with great showers & a quieter smaller lounge down stairs. The self serve food is average but the noodle bar upstairs is excellent along with the coffee loft but can get crowded. Qantas lounge has great showers also but doesn't open till 9.30 & is extremely quiet in the morning & food same as the Wing. Depending where your gate is there are other CX lounges out there depending on your layover. We had 10 hours so we did a bit of lounge hopping trying to find the best food - noodle bar won.

 

[sanne]

We have just returned London / Sydney in J & the seats in the 777 were more comfortable than the 330, for me anyway, & I did manage to sleep both legs. Service was good, quick & efficient & with the touch screen IFE it was easy to pause move the head phone & order or refill wine. Most refills were just a lift of the glass, I think they got use to me. The food was fine, I had a great fillet steak out of London & took the asian dishes out of Hong Kong finishing with the cheeses & port both times.
You are spoilt for lounges in HK. The Wing is big with great showers & a quieter smaller lounge down stairs. The self serve food is average but the noodle bar upstairs is excellent along with the coffee loft but can get crowded. Qantas lounge has great showers also but doesn't open till 9.30 & is extremely quiet in the morning & food same as the Wing. Depending where your gate is there are other CX lounges out there depending on your layover. We had 10 hours so we did a bit of lounge hopping trying to find the best food - noodle bar won.

Thanks Dr Bob for your information on lounges. I haven't booked the flights yet so not sure how much time we'll have, but nice to know we have plenty of choices.

 

[11sjw]

Thanks Dr Bob for your information on lounges. I haven't booked the flights yet so not sure how much time we'll have, but nice to know we have plenty of choices.

Give yourself 10 hours + if possible. A day in HKG is always fun.