Difference in PE - QF/CX/BA

[maggit]

[Split thread]

Can I expect the same sort of service and seat on Premium Economy when flying with BA or Qantas or Cathay?

 

[TheInsider]

re: Insurance with reward flighs & Premium Economy - which is better QF, BA or CX?

Have only flown on QF and BA, but QF's product is ALOT better than BA's.

 

[Katie]

re: Insurance with reward flighs & Premium Economy - which is better QF, BA or CX?

I have not flown BA Y+ since 2005, but at that stage, the only difference between Y and Y+ was:
* Extra legroom in each seat
* Separate checkin counters
* Maybe extra luggage allowance?
* Small Y+ cabin with 2-4-2 seating in a 747 (rather than 3-4-3 in Y)
Otherwise, all meals, in-flight entertainment, etc, was the same as Y.

With QF, the meals are a higher standard to Y meals, as are the drinks. You also have 1-2 devoted FAs for the cabin.

I have not seen or flown CX Y+ - I wasn't sure if they had rolled out the hard product to any aircraft yet?

 

[Noob]

Out of those three, Qantas PE is far better - Is this to Europe?

 

[markis10]

Out of those three, Qantas PE is far better - Is this to Europe?

That's a big call given no one has experienced CX PE yet!

 

[maggit]

Yes it is sydney to amsterdam. I had a look online
at BA reviews and will give them a miss. I managed to
find a flight where one leg ( day time) is economy but
Main leg is business Q/CP for fewer points than BA premium economy
so happy and hope CP business is good

 

[Awesom Andy]

I last heard that BA has upgraded its soft products in Y+ about a month or 2 ago, but I haven't seen it myself. It also appears that the QF Y+ soft products have been somewhat downgraded, but, again, I haven't been in it enough to make comparisons. Still, if at least one of these are correct, then the gap between the 2 carriers is narrowing.

Nobody here has seen the CX Y+ product yet, but in the end, it's still a seat with 38" pitch and a little bit more incline than any standard issue Y seats.

 

[elbarto]

BA WTP = Bigger seat, standard economy food.
QF Y+ = Bigger seat, Better food
CX Y+ = Bigger seat, ??????

Out of the known, BA and QF, QF is the better.

 

[laffer]

I last heard that BA has upgraded its soft products in Y+ about a month or 2 ago, but I haven't seen it myself. It also appears that the QF Y+ soft products have been somewhat downgraded, but, again, I haven't been in it enough to make comparisons. Still, if at least one of these are correct, then the gap between the 2 carriers is narrowing.

Nobody here has seen the CX Y+ product yet, but in the end, it's still a seat with 38" pitch and a little bit more incline than any standard issue Y seats.

Downgraded? That would be interesting given that they have certainly not degraded their price. The QF PE prices are ridiculous (even accepting it is a better product that BA).

 

[Blackadder]

Downgraded? That would be interesting given that they have certainly not degraded their price. The QF PE prices are ridiculous (even accepting it is a better product that BA).

Depends on the routing I guess, looking at PE SYD-LAX-SYD and for the same period last year, it was about $400 more expensive then, compared to now.

 

[Dalescott]

Have a look at the Long-Haul Experience - Air New Zealand - Australia Site now this is interesting. The World's Ten Best Premium Economy Class Airline Seats rank the seating, but no mention of the new Space seat in PE. But very interesting and looks OK in price.

 

[PineappleSkip]

BA appear to have made some attempt to deal with the main criticism of their Y+ product, which is the Y meals...

British Airways - World Traveller Plus: On board

You can look forward to a three-course meal for breakfast, lunch or dinner, depending on your flight time. On flights into and out of London Heathrow and London Gatwick, your choice of main course comes from the business class Club World menu, while all our main course options are designed by leading chefs.

The upgrade of the BA Y+ Cabin referred to here (and discussed in an earlier thread a while ago) might make a difference, new seats (not sure if better), bigger screens appearing to be the main changes, and the new product to appear on SYD-SIN-LHR flights from April next year according to their current advertising...

British Airways - World Traveller Plus: Preview our new cabin

The new World Traveller Plus experience is available right now on the latest addition to our fleet, the state-of-the-art Boeing 777-300ER, operating on selected flights to and from Hong Kong, Los Angeles, New York JFK, Shanghai and Tokyo Narita. We'll also be introducing the new-look cabin onto a number of our Boeing 777-200 and 767 aircraft over the coming year.

A new league of stylish Sydney-London travel - British Airways

From April 2013, it will be even easier to reach the UK and Europe with our latest flights to London Heathrow’s award-winning Terminal 5. Our fantastic new Boeing 777-300 aircraft have been fitted with rejuvenated versions of our deluxe cabins.

Cheers skip

PS QF's flights to LHR that I have looked at appear to be about twice the going rate. Do hope they get their act together with pricing because QF Y+ product, nice though it is, sure aren't worth that much. Love this Y+ offering from them

 

[RWJ777]

BA appear to have made some attempt to deal with the main criticism of their Y+ product, which is the Y meals...

British Airways - World Traveller Plus: On board


The upgrade of the BA Y+ Cabin referred to here (and discussed in an earlier thread a while ago) might make a difference, new seats (not sure if better), bigger screens appearing to be the main changes, and the new product to appear on SYD-SIN-LHR flights from April next year according to their current advertising...

British Airways - World Traveller Plus: Preview our new cabin


A new league of stylish Sydney-London travel - British Airways


Cheers skip

Just my luck; I'm flying with BA Y+ next March to SYD-SIN-LHR-FCO return so I'll miss out on any cabin improvements, althoiugh I note that the catering improvements are said to be in place now.

 

[Sprucegoose]

CX is the big sleeper here. You'll find their prices competitive.

QF over BA is a no brainier.



http://www.ausbt.com.au/review-and-...-kong-sydney-toronto-canada-usa-europe-london

 

[Sprucegoose]

Off another site..


THE SEAT
Yes it is slightly wider than economy. It does recline, rather than the current slide forward of the economy bucket/shell seats. The cushioning of the seat is comfortable and I found the headrest to be very good. However if you're taller you may struggle with this.
There is no leg rest! That is only for the front row. All you get is a foot rest. Again worked okay for me as I'm only 5' 4" but was hated by taller travellers.


THE SPACE
There is more space between seats than in Economy. However it isn't enough to allow the person on the inside seat to get out without moving the person on the aisle.


THE FACILITIES
There is a dedicated washroom on the 77W and on the 747 when traveling to and from London. On the flights to the US both colleagues on separate flights also had dedicated washrooms.


THE SERVICE
Is poor. You may as well be in Economy.
You're meant to have priority baggage - waste of time. On my journey my bag was one of the last to come off. Same experience for colleague and spouse on separate journeys.
The website claims you'll be welcomed with a glass of champagne when you get on board - never happened.
The food is economy food, economy service, plastic glasses.


THE AREA
Yes you're in a dedicated area, supposedly. On my return from London we had people walking through PE to use the facilities. The area is right over the wings so is very noisy on the 747 and same on the 77W.


The ONLY thing you are paying for when you pay double the price of economy is to get a slightly wider seat with some recline (rather than slide forward) and a tiny bit more leg room. That is it.


There is no additional service, the priority baggage doesn't work, the food is economy only.


Cathay NEED to improve the food and service because the seat alone just isn't worth double the price of economy. Other colleagues have also commented that having tried it to the US they will NOT travel PE again. Simply not worth it.


That's the update.

 

[ftm]

I've heard similar things about CX in that people have tried it once, but wouldn't return. QF on the other hand has a large and growing following.

 

[Timtammi]

Agree with sprucegoose re cx y+. I thought it pretty ordinary and would only fly it again if it was on sale and the price was right. I fly qf y+ regularly and think it's an excellent product. It can be exxy but if you look out for sales you can get it at a reasonable price.

 

[Dalescott]

Why would you bother when you can get a Royal Brunei business class airfare for $4000, and yes I know there is no booze.

 

[RWJ777]

CX is the big sleeper here. You'll find their prices competitive.

QF over BA is a no brainier.



Review: Cathay Pacific

Yes but I think when I priced it they were about 2K a piece more expensive. I've flown QF Y+ a couple of times and know it to be a very good product, but they we're not near price competitive on this occasion, unfortunately.

Anyway, if BA is horrific, I'll be sure to document the horror in full glory by way of TR!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I note CX is offering a special deal ex China for premium economy - you get a free upgrade to business class on the China-Hong Kong flights (in both directions!). Nice little incentive, but a shame they aren't offering the same ex AU. That would possibly swing me to CX!