First J experience to NYC. Which airline / route?

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Jemm82

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Hi everyone,

I hope this is the right category to post my question.

Im looking at doing a trip to NYC next year in J for 4 adults (taking my parents). My parents have never really left Australia and never flown J. They wouldn’t have ever dreamt of flying J or seeing NYC (this is worth keeping in mind when thinking about their whole experience). Obviously I want this to be the best J experience for them.

I’m caught between most direct/ short flight VS best J product / service.

I usually fly SQ but I worry about long transit and that you sleep lying on an angle and very small foot hole if don’t have bulkhead seat). I don’t think my dad would sleep.

I’ve considered;
VA BNE to NYC via LAX
QF via LAX
Good products but I really want to avoid LAX (is this a fair concern?) Also, with VA I worry about the downgraded Delta product from LAX to NYC

I’m also not convinced QF is the best choice as when I’ve flown with them, Their J service has been very indifferent and ruins the experience. Is this everyone else’s experience?

CX via Hong Kong (stop over in HK and my dad would love this!) but im worries about CX J product (no pj, dinner served in bowls that look like economy, and I’m concerned the footwell is too small for a quality sleep) I’ve never flown CX and heard Mixed review regarding service and overall experience being “underwhelming”.
However I LOVE the lounges in HK and know this really adds to the J experience.

Air canada via YVR. A really direct flight (leaves in the morning so they experience J from BNE to YVR and looks like a nice J cabin. I know nothing else about Air Canada re: service and quality of product.

Or

QTR I would love to try the Qsuites! I think this has the ‘wow’ factor when waking into J - has what looks like a nice lounge in DOH however need to fly to Sydney and a lounge route (14hr to DOH and 14 hr to NYC). We would stop overnight or 2 in DOH but worry about having to do that again on way home to avoid a very long direct flight.

I am scoring based on:
Initial flight from BNE (or MEL) leaving during the day so they make the most of J
Quality of lounges for the overall J experience
Least amount of transit time
Service in J (this is why I always fly SQ). I think service makes or break experience so this is very important to me.
Quality of J (e.g pjs, amenity kit, food, drink list, ability to sleep).
Also whether it offers a good stop over like HK which is another chance for my parents to see another country.

Any thoughts? What J product do you think is the best?

What do you think about the long transit with QTR? Do you think a long trip take away from the enjoyment?

Thank you for reading my long post and offering your opinions.
 
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Hi Jemm and can I can what an awesome daughter you are to be organising this trip for your parents. My husband doesn't travel much and doesn't enjoy flights at all -- unlike me! -- so I study all the permutations as well, wanting to get him the best experience so I can encourage him on another o/s adventure!

I did MEL-NYC last year in J, over with Etihad and back with AA via LAX. Those two long legs via the Middle East are really long, but I lapped it up and it sure did help being in a comfortable seat with good food and service. But going both ways might be a stretch for anyone who doesn't sleep or who doesn't indulge in all the food/wine or who gets tetchy at being "locked-up" for all those hours (my husband's thoughts on long-haul travel!) We've also flown QR J and loved it -- our favourite so far, based on comfort and service and the whole experience, and that's not even with Q-Suites.

This year we did Air Canada to YVR and while I found the seat/bed okay, husband found it hard/uncomfortable and he didn't sleep at all. The food/wine was only okay and the service was pretty ordinary. Let's just say he's not endorsing AC J and I rate at it lower even than the Qantas 747 which we returned on. The YVR lounges are also below par so the only thing going for this route is the shorter flight time and avoiding LAX.

I'm looking at CX or JAL for my next trip so can't compare that yet but would like the chance to.

You've not said anything about price and I imagine there could be quite a range/difference so could limit your options as well.

I guess it comes down to how you think your parents will travel and what is most important to them: seat comfort, length of time in planes, the food/wine and service, the lounge experience. The price. Have fun sorting it all out.
 
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CX via Hong Kong (stop over in HK and my dad would love this!) but im worries about CX J product (no pj, dinner served in bowls that look like economy, and I’m concerned the footwell is too small for a quality sleep) I’ve never flown CX and heard Mixed review regarding service and overall experience being “underwhelming”.
However I LOVE the lounges in HK and know this really adds to the J experience.

The CX dinner is certainly NOT served in 'bowls that look like economy'.

The footwell should not be a concern for you.

I'd have no hesitation in recommending CX.

Also, you don't state clearly, but are these paid flights or flights purchased with points and is this a factor in your decision?
 
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I was going to suggest EVA Air, who I found surprisingly good. Managed to get awards seats on them last year from JFK-TPE, and the seats are similar to CX, the service was top notch, with a five (six?) course meal, hor d'oeuvres, soup, entree, main, dessert, cheese, and top quality champagne on board.

However, the connections are long and the timing of BNE may not work that well, with overnights between BNE and TPE in both directions.
 
Hi everyone,

Obviously I want this to be the best J experience for them.
CX via Hong Kong (stop over in HK and my dad would love this!) but im worries about CX J product (no pj, dinner served in bowls that look like economy, and I’m concerned the footwell is too small for a quality sleep) "I’ve never flown CX" and heard Mixed review regarding service and overall experience being “underwhelming”.
However I LOVE the lounges in HK and know this really adds to the J experience.

Thank you for reading my long post and offering your opinions.

I love CX however it seems you have a fairly low opinion of them and their lounges based on what if you haven't ever flown with them?
Regards CM
 
The CX J seats on the 350 and 777 which you would be looking at are great - no issues with footwell or anything.

Given your criteria, you need a direct international connection into JFK - no US domestic connections. QF could do this, but requires transit at LAX, so based on your criteria, scratch that one.

I find the CX J service fine, and the meals are definitely not in bowls looking like economy. The lack of PJs is trivial in the scheme of things - just BYO and know that they will actually fit (unlike airline might give you).

CX can provide single transit / stopover via HKG from either BNE or MEL. If choosing JL, then can do a single stop from MEL, but if going via BNE there is no direct flight BNE to NRT on JL metal, so you either need to,fly another carrier, or connnect (which involves another carrier anyway).

Have yet to try JL, although am looking forward to it later in the year, but IMHO, for your criteria it will be very hard to do better than CX via HKG with a stopover in one or both directions. None of the individual components is the abosolute best - someone else can do better on any individual aspect, but the overall combination comes out on top, with the stopover in Hong Kong a clear bonus. There is probably nowhere better for a stopover of a day or to, or even 6 hours for a quick trip into town.
 
You might like to check out Airline Trip Reports and see discussion and pics posted by AFFers on the various J products, on the various airplane types. Or, ahem .. you might like to look at my recent RTW trip report where I showed and discussed QF, QR (not Qsuites), JAL, BA, CX and UR J products!

Personally, I would go QR with or without QSuites. My favourite J, and I've used most of 'em. If you are a group of 4 then if you don't get QSuites, the 'step over another pax' issue goes away largely but on a B757 it isn't an issue anyway. You can spend maybe a day in DOH looking at it, but after that, its a veg-and-recover in hotel type of place (but this will cost more then straight through. QR have stopover packages, though)

I agree about the uncomfortable-ness of the SQ angled beds. I'm probably of a similar vintage to your dad and I now avoid SQ for that reason.

Air Canada much like Qantas in service/amenity. Legacy airline, always trying to cut costs, service can be indifferent.

Have you looked at a RTW fare? Here's the oneWorld version. You might do Qantas via LAX, or JAL via Tokyo to NYC, then AA then QR via a European city then DOH on the way back, and be able to break the trip into included stopovers and really jazz up the wow factor for the parents :)

LAX isn't as bad as it used to be. The airport itself could even be called rather nice (edit: I'm thinking of TBIT, but the others have been upgraded too) and the Qantas lounges are good; immigration experience can be ordinary, but if you are in J then it can be quite quick - I and I know others have gotten through in half an hour or less on a number of occasions.
 
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Hi everyone,

I’ve considered;
VA BNE to NYC via LAX
QF via LAX
Good products but I really want to avoid LAX (is this a fair concern?) Also, with VA I worry about the downgraded Delta product from LAX to NYC

Thank you for reading my long post and offering your opinions.
LAX is not a fair concern if you ask me. Provided you've (or one in the party) has transited there before, it really isn't that big a deal. I would take BNE - LAX - JFK over BNE - MEL - asia - JFK anyday.

It is my opinion that the more transits/stopovers allows for more time walking through airports, getting confused in foreign countries and stress from security/immigration/dragging luggage. Surely you and your companions would rather be sleeping in a flat bed instead?

I once sent a friend MEL - YYZ via LAX. He has never flown on his own before, suffers serious anxiety, only flown once before (with me) and with some basic instructions navigated LAX absolutely fine.

Not only that, VA J is very highly regarded on this route. I would reconsider.
 
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Maybe also have a look at China Airlines (Taipei/Taiwan), great business class seats, spectacular five course dinners, very cool lounge in TPE (terminal 1). Good value also.
 
And I endorse above comment re VA J via LAX, as it is meant to be the best J on Australia/USA direct route.
 
And I endorse above comment re VA J via LAX, as it is meant to be the best J on Australia/USA direct route.

That’s all very well for getting to LAX, but then you end up condemned to a US domestic flight to NY. Have to balance out the overall experience.

If the folks haven’t travelled much before, better to have cosistently good (and no comparison to something better) than very good followed up by a much worse experience.
 
That’s all very well for getting to LAX, but then you end up condemned to a US domestic flight to NY. Have to balance out the overall experience.

If the folks haven’t travelled much before, better to have cosistently good (and no comparison to something better) than very good followed up by a much worse experience.
I don't know that I'd consider a Delta One experience as "much worse". For the length of flight I'd think it more than OK. Think going from Very Good to Good. Opinions may differ though.
 
Jemm82, on AFF you will always get a variety of opinions, often contrasting, which can be frustrating. But each post is made with the best intentions of the poster.

There are some important factors here that we cannot really judge, as only you really know your parents.

But I make the following comments:

1.- For someone who does not travel much (as in their case), going via Asia or Dubai, etc could be fun or could be just totally daunting and tiring. International travel is special - even in J, you do not sleep well, your body clock is upset, and the best class on the best airline will often as not still involve a feeling on the day of "are we there yet".

2.- Unless they want a fun stopover in some exotic place (Hong Kong is "exotic" for 99% of the population :) ) I would seriously recommend the most direct route.

3.- I have never flown Virgin, but it appears their transpacific product is good.

4.- I understand that a lacklustre crew can take the fun out of even J. And Qantas can be guilty of that. I personally have sufferred atrocious service, but also amazing service. I think part is the crew, part is the pax attitude. I fly too much and so probably come across as the jaded exhausted person I am. But even having said that, if your attitude is good, and you convey to the QF staff that you are on a special trip, they can go out of their way in a heartfelt manner that I have never seen on other popular airlines.

5.- So in summary, I would suggest QF, but maybe Virgin are even better.

And as Briar1078 said, you are a very good daughter! :) I really hope we can all help you make the best choices!
 
Wow. So many great responses. Thank you.

Briar1078. Thank you for your comment. You have experience with so many of my queries. Thx for info in air canada, QR and transit through Middle East. I’ve always wanted to do this with my parents and I’m so excited to tell them. I also considered Etihad as flown them before but figured if I was doing a Middle East transit I may as well try QR. it’s great you have done this trip yourself and how your husband went with these trips. My dad is quite fussy when it comes to comfort, so this is a big factor I’m considering.

I’ve also been looking at JAL.

CX seems like a valued product. I’m happy to hear this as the flight times, and HK stopover is so appealing.

Dr. Ralph and Equus; I retract my comment that CX serve their food “in bowls like in economy”. It’s definitely a snobby comment and I haven’t flown with them. I based this on many videos and reviews online that showed the food or commented on their presentation. (I think it’s when I see the bowl with meat, veggies etc all in the one ramekin). I feel a bit silly now thinking about it. I’m glad to hear you both recommend CX and that the footwell is no concern. Thanks for such a detailed response Equus.

Im being cautious/ realistic about the chances of booking with points so I’m considering this as though I am paying for the full fares. It’s not really a fa for in my decision.

Dajop - Ive wanted to try Eva and did consider this, but as you mention the flight times are a bit off. Cheers.

Rooflyer- thanks so much for the tip on Airline trip reports and review of QR and Air Canada. This helps. I would love to look at a round the world, I’m just bit overwhelmed at moment.

Glad to hear some say LAX isnt that bad. I was last there in 2014 and based on that and previous times, had a disdain for the place.

Flyingduck- you have given me something to think about re: transits, stopovers.

stm1sydney- Also given me food for thought. I’m flying J China Airlines to TPE at end of year and keen to check it out.

Juddles- thank you for your comment. I really appreciate giving me something’s to think about.

CM- thanks for sharing that you love CX. I’m definitely hearing that I gave an undeserved (unintentional) low opinion of CX. I didn’t mean to. I listed them above as I’m still very tempted to use them. I was keen to hear people’s actual experiences seems I haven’t flown them. I didn’t mean to come across as though I had ‘decided’ they weren’t a good option. I actually think their lounges looks amazing and this was a major positive for me.

Thank you everyone. It’s really helpful to hear your opinion/ experiences. definetly helpful.
 
That’s all very well for getting to LAX, but then you end up condemned to a US domestic flight to NY. Have to balance out the overall experience.

But you are not being "condemned" to a "normal" US domestic flight. LAX-JFK in Delta One is going to be several notches above most domestic flights.
 
My dad is quite fussy when it comes to comfort, so this is a big factor I’m considering
I can reassure you that the CX J product is no concern at all with respect to space in any dimension when used as a bed. I (whilst no Juddles) am 6'3" and don't come near touching the ends of the bed, and have plenty of width. As many TRs will reference however, the layout is not great for "couples" even in the centre pair - a little isolated.

"normal" US domestic flight

I will agree that there is a vast range of US domestic flight experiences, and maybe I should not have used "normal" but at the end of the day, it is still a clear customs, recheck bags and go through the US domestic experience - which is more than just the on-board product.
 
I am another 6'3" person - and big with it - and also found the CX J seats to be excellent on both the A330 & B777. I actually preferred their seat to QRs'. Their Hong Long lounges were great. The food was not as good as QR but still ok. We are one of those couples who are happy (read prefer) to travel in our little cocoon so we didn't try the centre seats on CX.
 
I've just booked Virgin via LAX for next year for my wifes 50th birthday treat. Just my personal preference for the shorter route/travel time, and a great business class product - but that is from someone who spends too much time hnaging around in between Sydney and London. Its always interesting to hear opinions from people on these types of issues as it makes you realise just how much we all differ in our requirements. Luckily there is something for everyone....almost!
 
The CX dinner is certainly NOT served in 'bowls that look like economy'.

The footwell should not be a concern for you.

I'd have no hesitation in recommending CX.

Agree on all points here. The footwell is extremely generous. Nothing at all like SQ's.

Japan Airlines might be another to consider, if you choose aircraft with full flat. Avoids LAX with non-stops Japan to major USA gateways.
 
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