Why Oh Why

[TomVexille]

The 738 to RSW was a newer delivery with BSI and AAs latest IFE. Our 738 to DFW was an old tAAil. They're disappearing quickly now. Another thing that got me was the scarcity of MD80s left at DFW. It really used to be Maddog city.

Our 77E to NRT was certainly dated. Built in 1999, Y was a step back in time, IFE was on a loop... :shock:

 

[serfty]

Flew in one (a day flight) from LAX to NRT in Economy a couple of years ago. Was a real throwback.

I did fly back NRT-ORD in first - much better.

I did it in Business a year later ... A little better than economy.

These are being refurbished to J/W/Y with contemporary seating & IFE.

 

[TomVexille]

These are being refurbished to J/W/Y with contemporary seating & IFE.

I know, the aircraft was scheduled to be a refurbed bird until 0120 the day of departure

 

[drron]

Complaints,complaints.I have at least a dozen flights in those birds to and from NRT.
And each one of them cost me $US2.49 in F.

 

[blackcat20]

Complaints,complaints.I have at least a dozen flights in those birds to and from NRT.
And each one of them cost me $US2.49 in F.

Ours weren't much more. Less than $250 each for the return from TPE to ORD and back. Less than $1 per SC.

 

[blackcat20]

JAL 787 NRT-TPE

On the ground in Tokyo we went through transit screening in a matter of minutes and headed to the nearest JAL lounge. Eeyore enjoyed a much needed G&T and a bowl of curry.


With boarding time approaching we popped our heads into the QF lounge, which was quiet and appeared to have a decent selection of wines. Then off to the gate where our JAL 787 was waiting.

I don't recommend flying Y on this product; the leg room is tight! The pair of seats is good but if the aisle pax falls asleep, you are stuck.


The food was good; a small menu card explained each of the items.


By this point I was tired to the point of being quite agitated so I made a vague attempt to curl up against the wall and sleep through the remainder of the flight. I was most glad to see it come to an end.

Arrivals into TPE was painless; straight through immigration, bags out quickly and straight onto the bus to the Novotel once again.

 

[TomVexille]

Seat pitch on this aircraft was 31in. Keeping in mind that their newer deliveries have 34in pitch in Y. Routes offering the newer seats here. Also all JL 787 are still 2-4-2.

 

[blackcat20]

Before we knew it, we were headed back to the airport. Check in was painless, though CX would only tag our bags to SYD due to the fact we needed to collect them. We didn't bother arguing.

The CX lounge at TPE is fantastic; it's modelled on The Pier and if you didn't know better you might think you were at HKG.


Fresh noodles soup from the noodle bar and a glass of champagne for breakfast, because anything goes when you travel.


Then we relocated to the bar end of the lounge for some of their 'signature coughtails'. I chose sweet and got a peach based one; TV went strong and got the blue concoction.

 

[TomVexille]

The bartender seemed happy to be able to have free reign to mix up something different

 

[Pushka]

Oh. Tag team TomKat!

 

[blackcat20]

TPE-HKG CX A340

CX do priority boarding well and we were onboard quickly. This was my first A340 and I was pretty excited about it. The seats are interesting; a similar setup to Air NZ in that they face into the aisle


The footrest was good, especially for someone like me who always wants their feet up off the ground.


This was a relatively short sector so they breakfast service was super efficient; they cleared my tray away before I'd actually finished! The meal was a tad lacklustre but given we'd eaten in the lounge it wasn't a big deal. And champagne was available on request despite not being listed on the menu.



I did enjoy (rather awkwardly) the view coming into Hong Kong.

 

[TomVexille]

In my not very learned opinion this old CX seat is better than the new QF seat for sitting in. Better padding, and the legrest can actually be used in a lounging position.

 

[NZflygirl]

Before we knew it, we were headed back to the airport. Check in was painless, though CX would only tag our bags to SYD due to the fact we needed to collect them. We didn't bother arguing.

The CX lounge at TPE is fantastic; it's modelled on The Pier and if you didn't know better you might think you were at HKG.

Then we relocated to the bar end of the lounge for some of their 'signature coughtails'. I chose sweet and got a peach based one; TV went strong and got the blue concoction.
View attachment 87907

Did he end up with a blue mouth? Although some foods drinks are colourful I hate it when I change colour and it usually takes someone else to point it out :shock:.

Interesting comment about the seat being better on CX? than QF J. I've never tried CX but just looking at the pics I have to mention I do quite like the side arm rest and little storage area (and if you get the small bins) on QF although if flying med/long haul I think the seat comfort is the more important of the 2.

 

[blackcat20]

Did he end up with a blue mouth? Although some foods drinks are colourful I hate it when I change colour and it usually takes someone else to point it out :shock:.

Interesting comment about the seat being better on CX? than QF J. I've never tried CX but just looking at the pics I have to mention I do quite like the side arm rest and little storage area (and if you get the small bins) on QF although if flying med/long haul I think the seat comfort is the more important of the 2.

The storage in the QF seat is good, but if you want to recline a little I find it gets awkward, plus its almost impossible to reach the "foot rest". I prefer the new VA seat to be honest. The old CX seat had good padding and somewhere for me to prop my feet up.

 

[drron]

Then again I rather like the new QF A333 J seats as I easily reach the footrest and hate the old CX J coffins as my feet reach the aisle.

 

[blackcat20]

In Hong Kong we headed to The Pier; we decided this time to relax in one spot rather me than bouncing between lounges. A Cosmopolitan hit the spot quite nicely as we sat overlooking the tarmac.



Enjoyed a little plane spotting



And then some lunch


And snuck in another coughtail before it was time to wander to our gate.

 

[blackcat20]

HKG-SIN
CX 772

CX do priority boarding well and we were amongst the first on board. This plane has another not so fancy product on board, but it was adequate for a relatively short flight. We took a pair of seats in the second row.




This flight was a refreshment service. Champagne (Billecart Salmon) and juice was offered as a pre departure beverage, then after takeoff, small dishes of nuts were handed out.



When the drink service came around and I asked for a red wine, I was offered a taste of each option which I thought was a nice touch.

The starter was a prawn and noodle salad, and I had the chicken main.


Dessert was a tub of cookies and cream ice cream.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

So how does anyone understand CX? HKG-SIN / HKG-PVG Billicart - HKG-MEL Deutz vinegar - is SYD the same?

 

[blackcat20]

So how does anyone understand CX? HKG-SIN / HKG-PVG Billicart - HKG-MEL Deutz vinegar - is SYD the same?

Don't know, we took BA from SIN.

 

[rogerkambah]

So how does anyone understand CX? HKG-SIN / HKG-PVG Billicart - HKG-MEL Deutz vinegar - is SYD the same?

Pretty sure we had BC HKG-SYD 6 months ago.