Using points to London. Best airline/aircraft options QF, CX or EK??

[pottsy]

Hi, I am flying to UK (assuming I can get seats) using Classic Rewards for business class. Be very interested to hear opinions/advice on which airline to opt for, QF, CX or EK? Or do people think they are all similar in business class?? Thanking you in advance, be very grateful for thoughts!:idea:

 

[defurax]

CX will cost you more in points, but less in taxes.
My preference would be CX>EK>QF only if EK flights are on the 380. QF J on the 380 is better than EK J on the 777.

QR is also an option.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

EK.
Have flown with them short bursts Au - NZ, in J and F and can't fault them.
Even if you consider just the start of the trip, from MEL (if that is where you are), just think of the lounge. QFi MEL J lounge is in the basement, EK F/J lounge is upstairs.
Yes, I am narrow minded/shallow in this way.
On board, on an EK aircraft, even if you are not a drinker, the bar helps to pass time.
If I was ever to want to get to the UK, paying with $ or reward seat, it would have to be EK.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

Hi, I am flying to UK (assuming I can get seats) using Classic Rewards for business class. Be very interested to hear opinions/advice on which airline to opt for, QF, CX or EK? Or do people think they are all similar in business class?? Thanking you in advance, be very grateful for thoughts!:idea:

Where are you flying FROM?

 

[scwappy]

I don't think you can really go too far wrong with any options that come up, also including the options you mention and also QR, Finnair, Malaysian.

 

[snabbu]

Assuming you have no issues getting seats, I'd go with CX via HKG or JL via TYO.

 

[JaneFlyer]

So dependent on aircraft. It's possible to swing CX A350 all the way through from MEL to LGW and, if you can do that, I highly recommend it. Timings on the return can be more difficult and might mean an A330 on the HKG to MEL leg. Still, a good consistent hard product. I favour QF over EK - the skybed's are showing their age and sag but a cabin bag under the end fixes that easily and with that resolved I prefer QF hard and soft product to EK. The EK J beds are very narrow and cramped and I find EK service and food very patchy. Another vote for QR from me if you're leaving from ADL, MEL or SYD. From July MEL has the A380 and you can get that right through to LHR or B787 or A350 (the craft they fly to ADL). Good consistent hard and soft product.

 

[pottsy]

Sorry, should have said, flying from Melbourne! Thanks everyone for your recommendations much appreciated! One more question, just out of interest, does QR come up on the QF website as an option (as do CX and EK)?

 

[froggerADL]

Hi, I am flying to UK (assuming I can get seats) using Classic Rewards for business class. Be very interested to hear opinions/advice on which airline to opt for, QF, CX or EK? Or do people think they are all similar in business class?? Thanking you in advance, be very grateful for thoughts!:idea:

One of the benefits of QF or EK over CX, when traveling to DXB or LHR in J or F, is chauffeur drive which adds a bit of value.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

One of the benefits of QF or EK over CX, when traveling to DXB or LHR in J or F, is chauffeur drive which adds a bit of value.

On the other hand if you're in F or a WP there is the CX Wing F lounge in HKG with the champagne bar and the cabana spas!

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Never seen QR flight number appear on the QF website, guess you would have phone QFF up to make a booking.
From MEL, definitely go EK. The CX lounge is in the basement, same level as the MEL QFi J lounge.
One good thing about EK, is that the J/F cabins are upstairs on the 380, and no Y pax are allowed up there, you will never see anyone come up those hallowed internal (in the 380) stair case, so the loos are only for F/J passengers.
Edit: maybe because I don't have enough points and am only QF SG, J class classic rewards won't come up for me, when I do a classic reward search online.
NO EK/QR reward J seats, only CX/QF seats show up.
Better keep my dog mouth shut now, or I get into further troubles.
Anyway, whichever one you end up using, enjoy the flight.

 

[GoldCanyon340]

Can honestly say I've never considered a flight based on toilet selection.

 

[BacchusMarsh]

Never seen QR flight number appear on the QF website, guess you would have phone QFF up to make a booking.

QR flights come up, but only on the routes that they actually fly.

 

[Pleb Status]

I would rate the options as CX first, followed by QF and then EK (particularly if forced onto the EK 77W).

The reverse herringbone J seat on CX is superior to the others. If travelling as a couple, I prefer the QF Skybed II over the EK options. If travelling solo, the EK 380 J seat is probably a better option. The HKG stopover location and the low surcharges also makes CX very attractive.

The service on CX is normally very good as a OWE and on QF it can be variable from very good to very average. In my experience, the service onboard EK is normally quite poor and I only fly them when there are no other options.

My next OW J flights to LHR are on CX and QR as a result of the above.