Hate to admit it but CX just trumped SQ

[luxury-lizard]

After many years (15+) of flying SQ (pointy end) on both paid and award tickets - just flew today HAN-HKG-YVR in CX business class and I'm afraid to admit it but both MR LL and I agreed that the seat and the food were better than SQ. BUT we will maintain our loyalty to SQ - this CX trip was an anomaly - one of those cheap New Year's Day mistake fares which CX (bless their cotton sox) honoured.

 

[lindyb]

Great to hear. We are currently looking at award flights for next year and having trouble securing QR flights but there appears to be plenty of CX business so CX it is. Thanks

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Interesting post ll - which metal in particular?

I had to pay for a comm tix PVG-HKG-MEL on CX in Aug as I could not get rdpt on SQ but I thought it was so ordinary. Plane sub HKG-MEL 350->330 didn’t help - I hate those herringbone seats - so bloody narrow.

No slippers on either sector in J is just a huge bummer for me as I forgot to BYO just in case - food I thought seriously ordinary - Champs well that Deutz vinegar CX serve is a disgrace - food was certainly ordinary compared to a couple SQ J flts I did last week - and Crew just didn’t excite either - tell us more about your experience please?

Oh and sparkling wine in HKG J lounges doesn’t cut it either - the reason I flew this route was price alone - sub $A2K last minute purchase one way.

 

[Denali]

Last flights with SQ (SYD>SIN>AMS) I was disappointed in the seats and breakfast. Very much dislike the J side bend flat beds and moved myself to a middle bulk head after experiencing the worse leg cramps ever. Ive slept better in VA seats to LAX and unlike SQ, I didnt have to get out of my seat to go flat.

I guess its a personal thing, there are some SQ devotees that wont accept a negative word about their SQ.

Edit: I look forward to trying different airlines/seats in the future. I think SQ is one of the best but they can still improve (as we all can)

 

[drron]

While I don't think CX is bad I certainly have never thought that their J product is superior to the opposition even on an A350.
But yesterday flew JAL F on an old 777.It certainly was better than our old suites flight on SQ to start this holiday but mainly because of the crew.Didn't lose anything in the food and drink department's either.

 

[luxury-lizard]

Hum - our flight was 77W - herringbone layout but seat was IMO more spacious than SQ's latest A350 and A380 - agree no slippers but I had my own (from Sofitel in Hanoi) - as well as my own fight PJ's (from Etihad FC) - Champagne in lounge was Mumm's and on board was Billicart. Ou main meal was very good - pasta for me - Rack of Lamb of Mr LL. But really to me it all comes down to the comfort of the seat and timetable of the flights - everything else is secondary. However, I totally agree that the SQ crew are really special - not that I'm complaining about our CX crew.

Also - for anyone who thinks that flights to/from HKG are impacted by current HK protests - our flight in both classes was totally full.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

I assume that point about some ‘SQ devotees’ was aimed squarely at moi? If yes then maybe a tad off line - just check my multiple posts about SQ shortcomings - new R being hideous - R/F capacity reduction being rediculous and short sighted - onboard WiFi was grossly inadequate in terms of limit and price for R/F/J pax - TPR inadequacies re no toilet in showers - WiFi speed disgraceful - TPR menu static and never changes etc - want me to go on?

But onboard I have next to no problem - IME service always excels - I have no prob sleeping in the angle position in J if I cannot get bulkhead - drinks are always excellent and rarely do I have a prob with food. (Except for that coughking quinoa making up substantial part of back to back R/F main course last week - when did coughking quinoa earn the right to be a major component of a red meat main meal?) Note: Feedback already sent to SQ with pics

But again we are all entitled to an opinion and if we don’t like airline A or B then we vote with our feet huh?

Still would like to get some more of your thoughts ll?

 

[Denali]

I assume that point about some ‘SQ devotees’ was aimed squarely at moi? If yes then maybe a tad off lin....

No. I recall something similar in a QF thread. A word against Qantas brought out many posts against the OP. Its OK to say something you love/enjoy can do better or you prefer product B over dear old Auntie who is getting a bit old/not consistently good.

.... .. (Excrpt for that coughkung quinoa making up substantial part of back to. Ack R/F main course last week - when did coughking quinoa earn the right to be a major component of a red meat main meal?) ....

Same with Kale. Roundup that stuff asap and let it die

 

[luxury-lizard]

Still would like to get some more of your thoughts ll?

I've always loved SQ - even back in the day when J was angled lie-flat seats - spent some years commuting SYD-SIN every 2 weeks so their convenient schedule was really important to me. Now that all travel is leisure still love them - but having used points for F a couple of times - I find it not a good use of points - j is certainly "good enough" so currently all our travel is in J - I'm always bemused to find so many AFFer's keen on bagging F awards on SQ - I personally don't see the value - TPRs, caviar, vintage Champagne etc just don't add sufficient value for me.

For some years (after retiring) we were onto the buying FF points (US airways (RIP), AA, and LM) and used these to fly in J and F on a variety of *A and OW airlines. But as we all know - that party is over so we're winding down any points we do have in various programs and will buy J tickets based on price, convenience, comfort/service, reliability, and reputation.

 

[boomy]

I've always loved SQ - even back in the day when J was angled lie-flat seats - spent some years commuting SYD-SIN every 2 weeks so their convenient schedule was really important to me. Now that all travel is leisure still love them - but having used points for F a couple of times - I find it not a good use of points - j is certainly "good enough" so currently all our travel is in J - I'm always bemused to find so many AFFer's keen on bagging F awards on SQ - I personally don't see the value - TPRs, caviar, vintage Champagne etc just don't add sufficient value for me.

When comparing J vs F redemptions on KF I find F to be better value on long haul flights. It’s only 47k more to fly F all the way from Australia to Europe which means better lounges, F&B and most importantly avoiding those uncomfortable J seats in bed mode. Seems like a no brainer to me in terms value but YMMV.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

There's probably no one 'perfect' business class product on any one itinerary. The 'pluses' with CX are the herringbone seats - long and unencumbered sleeping surface (but maybe not wide enough for some). Fast meal service (under an hour) allowing you to maximise work or rest. Acceptable amenity kit. Good IFE. Crew don't fuss or dote, but answer call bells instantly. Business class lounges in Hong Kong offer champagne - the same quality as the Singapore Airlines First Class lounge in Melbourne and Sydney. They mix negronis on board The negatives - the food is so-so - what you might expect from a mid-range cafeteria.

 

[ellen10]

We flew CX syd-hkg and then hkg-dub. Both flights were excellent, crew very attentive and friendly food was good. First flight was full and second one had a few seats spare in business but economy was very full. We really enjoyed our flights

 

[boomy]

There's probably no one 'perfect' business class product on any one itinerary. The 'pluses' with CX are the herringbone seats - long and unencumbered sleeping surface (but maybe not wide enough for some). Fast meal service (under an hour) allowing you to maximise work or rest. Acceptable amenity kit. Good IFE. Crew don't fuss or dote, but answer call bells instantly. Business class lounges in Hong Kong offer champagne - the same quality as the Singapore Airlines First Class lounge in Melbourne and Sydney. They mix negronis on board The negatives - the food is so-so - what you might expect from a mid-range cafeteria.

For me BR Royal Laurel is as perfect as J can get ATM.
I’ve tried to find flaws (IFE could be better) but honestly it’s the most well rounded product, far better than CX and SQ.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

For me BR Royal Laurel is as perfect J as can get ATM.
I’ve tried to find flaws (IFE could be better) but honestly it’s the most well rounded product, far better than CX and SQ.

weird lounges though!!

 

[boomy]

weird lounges though!!

Not if you’re into mirrors and disco lights
The showers in that lounge are fantastic tho.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Business class lounges in Hong Kong offer champagne - the same quality as the Singapore Airlines First Class lounge in Melbourne and Sydney.

So which is the CX Lounge that has the very long bar where you sit and look out over tarmac? That Lounge definitely only serving sparkling wine mid July and definitely not Champs.

Only time I have been in CX F Lounges they were serving ‘Peninsular’ Champagne. Remind me again exactly what Champs CX are serving in their F Lounges in HKG now?

 

[boomy]

So which is the CX Lounge that has the very long bar where you sit and look out over tarmac? That Lounge definitely only serving sparkling wine mid July and definitely not Champs.

Only time I have been in CX F Lounges they were serving ‘Peninsular’ Champagne. Remind me again exactly what Champs CX are serving in their F Lounges in HKG now?

Usually a choice of three (two plus rose). Last time I was there the nicest option was Perrier Jouët Grand Brut NV.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

That’s in F right boomy? And did I just luck out that I picked the one night to visit a J Lounge when they ran out of Champs?

 

[boomy]

That’s in F right boomy? And did I just luck out that I picked the one night to visit a J Lounge when they ran out of Champs?

Yes that’s in F. Never been to Pier J, no particular desire to waste time in OW J lounges as long as I hold OWE.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Understandable boomy but I still find it hard to believe that CX serve Veuve in their HKG J Lounges?