UpTheFront said:
If you've got any recent experience of CX in J versus QF in F can you let me know whether you find them equal for the same price?
In my view there are pros and cons for each, so make your decision based on what is important to you. Here is the way I see it:
Seat/Bed: I think the QF Skybed is better than the CX old J bed. The CX bed has slight more angle and not as many little nooks and crannys for storing things. I would give QF a 10% advantage here. However, CX are starting to roll out their new J with a herringbone layout of fully flat beds. I have not experienced these yet.
Food: Both offer at least 3 choices of meals in long-haul J. I like some of the Chinese optoions on CX, but tend to find the QF J food just a little better presented. QF's pre-order breakfast is good for shortish overnight flights, allowing for a little more sleep time. Not much in it though.
Wine: I believe QF has the better wine selection in J, especially the desert wines (Muscat, Port).
Scotch: CX wins hands down with the JW Gold vs Chivas/Glenlivet 15.
IFE: CX system is stable and responsive. But I generally prefer the program material on QF. I find the screens about the same. I prefer the QF headphones, though I generally use my own Shure E3s. On a 3 hour CX flight when the IFE was broken, all J pax were provided US$50 CX vouchers for duty-free purchases. They took it very seriously.
Cabin Crew: CX are consistently professional and helpful. Very much service-oriented. QF can be hit and miss. The good QF crew are excellent, while some can be a little sour. The service is generally a little more down-to-earth than CX's classic Asian style. Overall I have found both to be fine.
So in my mind, there is not a lot of difference. I would be most likely to choose based on schedule.