Cathay International Business Class

[aus_flyer]

Looking at the pictures of the Cathay International Business Class seat, it appears to have a real angle to it.

One criticism I have of Qantas' Skybed is that I feel as though I'm sliding off. The Cathay angle looks much, much worse!

Anyone have any personal experiences with Cathay?

Thanks

 

[NM]

Yes, the CX business class seats do slope slightly more than the QF Skybeds. They have improved them recently. The original generation of CX J seats sloped more than their latest generation seats, but not all aircraft have been changed yet so you don't know which you will get.

Also note that not all CX flights to/from Australia have their flat beds. Some of their flights (ie to/from Brisbane) use their regional business class configured aircraft (A330) and only offer 2-classes with the regional business class seats that's don't go flat. I believe SYD and MEL get the 3-class aircraft with flat beds in business class. I think the ADL flights continue to MEL so they may also have them. Don't about PER flights.

But the service in CX business class is superb, including Johnny Walker Gold Label whiskey. And their Cathay Delight (non-alcoholic) coughtail is wonderful.

 

[AlwaysUpThere]

CX only have "International" flights...

Their long haul business class product ("New Business Class") originally reclined to 13 degrees. Wide body aircraft fly and an incline of around 3 deg so the net "angle" was 10 deg. As posted here, they're in the middle of a retro-fit ro reduce it further.

I did more 500,000 miles (96% with CX) while living in HKG a few years ago. Brilliant.

In SIN after that, becoming PPS with SQ within 7 months... The Singapore Girls just make the service that touch more personable as I believe their English is a bit better on average. This just makes them a bit more at ease and able to interact with their customers a little more freely. But, the product is the same as CX - on small differences which make no real differentiation.

As to the seats, the best position to sleep on CX/SQ/QF seats which do not go "flat" is an "S" position. Leave the back up a little and the footrest down a little. You feel like you're in an arm chair. This way, you get great sleep and most importantly, you don't get a wedgie!

Three biggest differences between CX and QF are:
1) CX have "Audio-Video On-Demand". So, you can watch what you want, when you want - pause, rewind etc etc. They have whole CD collections on their server to play in their entirity or make your own customised play-lists. QF are only offering this on their new A330s - and we know how many of them they have. It makes a huge difference, especially on day flights.

2) The CX meal service - they bring out all the parts of all the meals on the menu (the "makings") and allow you to choose what you want (and how much). So, if you prefer rice to potatoes, you can mix and match!

3) The CX staff don't have "attitude", aside from a desire to give you good service . On a SIN-SYD QF flight, can't believe I was told I couldn't be served some water as they'd be "doing the meal service soon". They use your name and don't call you "mate" (whether Johnny and Kim like it or not!!) :wink:

CX are currently offering the "Regional Business Class" on their A330s to BNE, CNS, PER and DBX. Still get the great services as described in 2 & 3 above. Note that all their 777 fleet (intra-Asia) has their Regional Business Class product - freshened cabin and bigger TVs, "traditional" meal service.

 

[HardieBoys]

I'd agree with the above post. Only done five CX Business flights, but was impressed with all of them. The IFE is good on CX, however, the QF A330 IFE is probably a little better. The seats are comfortable in CX, but the privacy is less good than with the QF Skybeds. Both beds are at an angle. The staff in CX Business are more consistently professional than those in QF, where there is always a small element of chance involved how professional the crew are. (That said, when the QF crew are good, I prefer their more relaxed attitude.)
Either way, both are preferable to BA and AA.

 

[Alan in CBR]

CX only have "International" flights...

Really? I wouldn't tell the Chinese government that. I gather they are under the impression that Hong Kong was handed back to them a few years ago. That would make HKG-PEK a domestic flight.

 

[AlwaysUpThere]

That would make HKG-PEK a domestic flight.

Not when it departs from "Hong Kong International Airport".

Are you with DFAT Alan?

Rather than ask the government, ask the Hong Kong people - there's growing unrest among them.

Most Chinese Nationals cannot reside in Hong Kong without a visa and still need "permission" even to travel to the SARs. Travellers from both sides need to pass through immigration check points.

The fact we Australians do not need a visa to travel to Hong Kong but do need a visa to travel to China is practical proof of the "One country, Two systems" policy under which the SAR operates.

As an interesting fact, when you arrive in Shanghai's Pudong Airport, it is divided into a "Domestic" section as well as "Internationl, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan"...so the Chinese Gvt may be trying, but they're not there yet.

 

[serfty]

That's certainly true, I've seen the masses at the Macau border crossing for nationals entering and exiting the ex Portuguese colony on the way to and from their employment in the wealthier SAR.

 

[Alan in CBR]

That would make HKG-PEK a domestic flight.

Not when it departs from "Hong Kong International Airport".

So my flights from Canberra International Airport to SYD aren't domestic?

Are you with DFAT Alan?

Nope. Been working in Canberra for over 20 years and never once been employed by the Public Service or a Statutory Authority. Private enterprise all the way.

Rather than ask the government, ask the Hong Kong people - there's growing unrest among them.

Most Chinese Nationals cannot reside in Hong Kong without a visa and still need "permission" even to travel to the SARs. Travellers from both sides need to pass through immigration check points.

The fact we Australians do not need a visa to travel to Hong Kong but do need a visa to travel to China is practical proof of the "One country, Two systems" policy under which the SAR operates.

As an interesting fact, when you arrive in Shanghai's Pudong Airport, it is divided into a "Domestic" section as well as "Internationl, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan"...so the Chinese Gvt may be trying, but they're not there yet.

Thanks for the info - it's an interesting read. I've only been to Hong Kong twice - once before the handover and once after. I certainly found much more optimism amongst the locals prior to the handover compared with after. It's sad that the Chinese Government hasn't done the right thing by the Hong Kong residents.

I certainly hope it improves for them, but I can't say that I have much faith that it will.

Cheers,
Alan.