British/Singapore trip

[ffhound]

Hi everyone

I just returned from Japan and I tried out business class for the first time. JAL in J was polite and pleasant with good service whereas Qantas J was more like a fun pyjama party (with free pyjamas) but again good service. Food was ok in both.

Given that flying in J is quite a bit more pleasant than flying in Y, I have booked a trip for next year to Europe using my QFF and Velocity points. The legs I have booked are HKG-LHR in J with British Airways aboard an A380-800 and Munich-SIN with Singapore Airlines in J aboard an A350-900.

I have not flown these airlines before in J. How does their J product stack up against Qantas and JAL? Will I have a positive experience or be disappointed? Will I also get more pyjamas?

I have yet to book MEL-HKG in J and this will most probably be with Cathay or Qantas although the carrier charges are a bit higher with Cathay. Is there anything about Cathay J which would justify paying extra? Am I neurotic (probably)?

cheers Peter

 

[kermatu]

British Airways J is quite a step down from JAL and even QF in J. Mainly because of seating, food and amenities - although individual FAs have actually been terrific. Haven't flown SQ in J long-haul on the A350 but suspect it will be good.

 

[Denali]

No pjs in SQ J so pack your own comfy wear for that.

 

[ffhound]

No pjs in SQ J so pack your own comfy wear for that.

Can I wear my Qantas pjs on Singapore Airlines or that considered poor form?

 

[Denali]

Can I wear my Qantas pjs on Singapore Airlines or that considered poor form?

I encourage it as a form of protest and plan on doing it ourselves on our next SQ flights

 

[Daver6]

No pjs on BA either. I've worn my QF ones on other airlines without issue. What are they going to do? Kick me off?

BA is pretty average. Get yourself a window seat. Aisle seats have next to no privacy.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

If you liked qantas, you’ll like all the other airlines, because they’re all better than the QF offering. QF offers PJs, and that’s it. Boring, repetitive, unimaginative menus that rarely change, complete with sourdough bread and six salad leaves in the bottom of a bowl.

BAs seating layout is not great, but there are options to avoid having to climb out over anyone. And the seat itself is very comfortable (soft and well padded... although maybe that’s because they’re quite old and pre-loved?), with a good bed length, and no restrictions or cubby holes for your feet. Menus are simple, but tasty, and there’s usually something interesting.

The problem with SQ J is the seat/bed. Otherwise a great experience. I don’t see the bed issue on SQ as being much different from the BA issue.... except SQ affects you for the whole flight, and BA only when you have to get up (although avoided by getting a rear-facing bulkhead seat).

All of them have their pros and cons, but I don’t think QF is a benchmark. It probably at the top end of second tier carriers.

 

[RooFlyer]

I completely agree with Mel_Traveller. You can find out what others have thought on the various airlines' J products, over various aircraft, here: Airline trip report index.

Cathay I'd rate better than Qantas but for a 8 or so hour day flight, probably not worth paying extra, although if you do, you'll know for yourself

What sort of connection are you thinking of in HKG? If a <24 hr transit and you would prefer your checked bags to go straight through, maybe worth finding out if Cathay will 'interline' your bag through onto your BA flight, even though it will be a separate ticket. Qantas won't I'm pretty sure, whereas Cathay might and if that's the case, very much more convenient that needing to pick up your bag and in HKG and re-check in.

 

[Mattg]

Make sure you book your MEL-HKG flights by the end of October. The carrier charges will almost certainly increase from next month due to a change in Hong Kong regulations!

 

[ffhound]

t's the case, very much more convenie

The plan is a a stopover of a couple of days. I always like to break my journey in Hong Kong as there is always something new to see and its a lot more pleasant than continuing flying onwards.


I haven't been to Singapore before so a couple of days there will also be worthwhile.

cheers Peter

 

[ffhound]

Make sure you book your MEL-HKG flights by the end of October. The carrier charges will almost certainly increase from next month due to a change in Hong Kong regulations!

Yes so I've seen. That was largely my motivation in booking the HKG-LHR leg early.

I do also have the option of using Velocity points for that leg which raises the separate question of Virgin J class and whether it is any good. I have noted that there is not that much availability of J seats on either airline. Hopefully someone will cancel or I might have to fly Y.

 

[Mattg]

Yes so I've seen. That was largely my motivation in booking the HKG-LHR leg early.

I do also have the option of using Velocity points for that leg which raises the separate question of Virgin J class and whether it is any good. I have noted that there is not that much availability of J seats on either airline. Hopefully someone will cancel or I might have to fly Y.

Virgin business class to Hong Kong is excellent. If you can find availability, I would probably pick it over QF/CX!

Plus, Virgin has no carrier charges - not now, and not after 1 November either.

 

[laffer]

BA seating layout is terrible. But service has always been good for me.

I liked the seat on the SQ A350. Flew it from BCN to SIN. Service was impeccable. Food excellent.