PE vs non-aria J?

[burneracc]

Planning a trip PER-HKG return, would rather avoid the QF Singapore layover and fly direct so will be my first CX experience. It’s looking like 2k return for Y, 3.6 for PE, or 5.7 for J, but I don’t believe this route has aria seats. Is it worth the price for J?

As an aside, will be crediting to QF. Are there any fare class gotchas I need to be wary of before booking? Looking to gain some SCs, as I am halfway to platinum.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Planning a trip PER-HKG return, would rather avoid the QF Singapore layover and fly direct so will be my first CX experience. It’s looking like 2k return for Y, 3.6 for PE, or 5.7 for J, but I don’t believe this route has aria seats. Is it worth the price for J?

As an aside, will be crediting to QF. Are there any fare class gotchas I need to be wary of before booking? Looking to gain some SCs, as I am halfway to platinum.

Whether or not it’s ’worth it’ is entirely subjective.

At the end of the day business class is about the flat bed… whether it be Aria or the current, older version. The current version is one of the better seats out there… plenty of room, not tight cubby holes for your feet or legs.

It just depends how much you value your sleep. You can split the fare… one way premium economy and the other way business. I did a sample date in November, outbound during the day in premium economy and returning overnight in business for a surcharge of $1700 ($3000 return premium, and $4700 one way premium, back business).

 

[jase05]

I love the seats on most CX aircraft and regardless even a poor flat bed is better than the best PE or Y seats but it comes down to budget, day time flight etc.

 

[Daver6]

I've done this flight a few times. Recently in J (connecting to India) on the A350 between PER and HKG. So not Aria seats but very comfortable. Prices seem high compared to what I paid for India, although probably not surprising that it's more expensive to flight just to HKG.

I've also done PE on the 777 a few years ago to HKG. CX PE seat is similar in comfort level to QF but F&B is a step down.

If booking on CX, when you search for PE flights, they will also show J flights. For whatever reason, the J flights shown are cheaper than if you specifically search for J.

I can post some J menus if that would be helpful.

Oh, I should add, the flight PER HKG had ridiculously light load That was the morning departure. The crew member implied it was due to fewer tourists in winter to PER. Also seems like the morning departure flight was less popular.

 

[SYD]

I’ve done 6 of 8 CX J flights this year (2 more in a few days JFK-HKG-SYD).

SYD-HKG (each way Aria) and they are very nice but essentially the same seat as the A350. The later actually seems longer because of the fold away TV but the Aria total space is a tad wider and nicer feel.

The only bad CX J is their “regional” shell recliner - that’s somewhere between PE and flatbed J.

If you can get PE on the day flight up to HKG and J o/n back, that’s probably a good compromise of $ and comfort.