Cathay or Qantas Pre. Econ to Europe

[PepsiMax]

Well I was just looking for premium economy flights to Europe (CDG) to fly over during June and July '14.

I was originally planning on going with Qantas/Emirates as I recently flew over with them about a month ago to Paris and didnt mind it.

But would Cathay Premium Economy be a better option? It is cheaper by about +$650ish IIRC compared to Qantas, yet I still get status credits and even the QFF points.

Has anyone flown Cathay P.E before and what would you rate it to Qantas P.E?

 

[ftm]

QF is streets ahead. Far superior to CX offering.

 

[TomVexille]

I can't tell you which product is better, but I think the advantage of CX is that you can have PE for the entire trip instead of having to switch to EK Y in DXB.

 

[Mwenenzi]

I can't tell you which product is better, but I think the advantage of CX is that you can have PE for the entire trip instead of having to switch to EK Y in DXB.

As this post above Emirates do not have premium economy. QF, BA & CX do have PE. With QF/EK be careful to make sure you get what you pay for

 

[OATEK]

QF is streets ahead. Far superior to CX offering.

I had heard that CX has been upgrading its PE, but not sure I have seen a trip report yet covering the A330 ex-SYD and the 777 ex-HKG. Would be good to hear from someone who has experienced these recently, particularly the 777 service.

I certainly wouldn't discount CX seeing it is end-to-end PE.

 

[Isochronous]

CX is the only carrier that will offer you PE all the way to CDG. QF will have PE to DXB but DXB-CDG is on EK which does not offer PE. Otherwise if you went QF MEL/SYD-DXB-LHR on PE, the BA flight LHR-CDG would be short-haul product with no PE.

Also if you have any oneworld status, you have a chance of a free upgrade on CX to J.

 

[yohy?!]

if comparing CX PE to EK Y/QF PE then no contest - CX PE all the way

the hard product is quite similar (QF seat slightly better, CX IFE better), the service is superior on QF (FAs from J), the food not so much any more (QF's constant downgrades in catering have narrowed the margins alot in the last year).

 

[Vernon]

Cathay easily both in terms of food and service, one way legs went via Cathay and came back via Qantas...

 

[knasty]

Cathay easily both in terms of food and service, one way legs went via Cathay and came back via Qantas...

Interesting to see a couple of votes here either for CX as superior or similar - all my prior reading had QF Y+ as clear winner. Makes me look forward to my first CX Y+ experience coming later this week.

 

[elan]

I have flown PE with both QF and CX, perhaps the service on QF is better, marginal at best. I would have no hesitation flying either QF or CX.

 

[ReLoad]

I'm in the QF camp, the seats are much more comfy.

Service wise it's prob just in favour of QF, the CX bots disappear after meal time hardly to reappear.

IFE content wise is similar, although the first row of CX PE the in arm screens go on a funny angle so you need to watch in tilt-o-vision.

Don't get me wrong CX is still very good, but I'd take QF anytime, it's just a shame the A330s don't have like CX do.

J class on the other hand, that's CX by a mile!!!!!

 

[dajop]

What sort of money are you looking at spending on the flights? Sometimes with a little creativity (and guidance from AFF) you can find ways of getting to Europe for a good part of the journey in business class for not much more than in premium economy (for example SYD-SIN in Y+ on BA then SIN-CDG in J on TG for around $4.5K return). Admittedly these creative journey may create some mucking around, and may not always accrue status credits, but is worth considering if you can get a angled or fully flat bed on the long sector.

 

[V1213]

Having flown both I'll concur that while both aren't too dissimilar I also found the QF seats to be more comfortable and the food and drink to also be better on QF; more similar to J offerings than CX.
That said, Y+ all the way to CDG would be better than EK Y for the last leg, which is pretty uncomfortable.
Also, as CX in general has a large proportion of the plane dedicated to J you've got better odds for a Y+ to J op-up, as has happened to me in the past.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

What sort of money are you looking at spending on the flights? Sometimes with a little creativity (and guidance from AFF) you can find ways of getting to Europe for a good part of the journey in business class for not much more than in premium economy (for example SYD-SIN in Y+ on BA then SIN-CDG in J on TG for around $4.5K return). Admittedly these creative journey may create some mucking around, and may not always accrue status credits, but is worth considering if you can get a angled or fully flat bed on the long sector.

good point. economy class to singapore or bangkok followed by Sril Lankan full flat beds in business to Europe... for around $2500 return (including the flights from Australia). And earn SCs all the way.

(London more expensive because of APD)

 

[Barks]

You could fly QF and hope for some "EK upgrade love" to J for the DXB-CDG leg

 

[knasty]

I flew CX PE last week and couldn't fault it. hard product very good and I found the food to be excellent.

 

[cosi]

I have now flown CX PE from Perth 2 times so far this year with many more plan.

On the A330 the space in row 30 is significantly more than the other rows.

Food and service is always consistently good.

Only wish PE had a dedicated toilet for PE passengers.

 

[Hvr]

<snip>

Only wish PE had a dedicated toilet for PE passengers.

So who uses it that you don't like?

Is it Y pax seeking to see how the slightly risen crust lives? Do they leave stinky odours for you to inhale?

Or those pesky J pax who have access by virtue of their exalted status? Can you not handle pleasant smelling toilets?

Very very tongue in cheek.

 

[downgraded]

I've had some truly awful culinary experiences in CX PE, breakfast in particular which was the same offering as Y, and a tepid muddy concoction that really could have been tea or coffee but I genuinely believe was a blend of the two. At its best (usually evening meal) has been reasonably better than Y food, and evening boarding experience better lived up to the hype.

Neither has good footrests, I still go for the bulkhead and use a large carry on bag as a more usable height footrest when available. Last PE flight wasn't bulkhead and I think I preferred the footrest of the other rows more than the bulkhead sans luggage augmentation.

A long time since I've been on QF PE so not going to comment on its soft service, both seats are way ahead of Y, way behind J (especially for overnight).

CX will be the only one to get you there in the PE cabin, and CX also offer quite exceptional PE pricing if you're at the right place with the right travel date - . QF offers better on-ground perks but with appropriate status this doesn't matter.

Just my humble experience.

 

[PepsiMax]

I am flying with Qantas, it will cost me around $2800, can only book flights though when I find out next week my uni timetable and I will also be getting access to the First Class lounge yiew

Any tips when I am in the First Class Lounge?

Just looked at Vietnam Airlines to fly to Sydney to Paris Economy there and Business return $2683.26, this is very very tempting!