Cathay Pacific to PEK and HGK and SIN

[Jade13]

Ok, I mentioned this under the Dragon Air thread but few people will probably read it. I was trying to get flights on China Air, United and Lufthansa (or Singapore Air) but TA has American and Cathay Pacific flights on Hold (includes a 6:30pm return from Singapore that gets us home many hours prior to the UA flight). This flight is over $1,000.00pp less in coach than the China Air United flights (which would have also forced us to stay overnight in Singapore and pay for a hotel because United flight leaves SIN in the morning). Singapore was the problem trying to get Star Alliance flights.

I want to know about your experiance on Cathay Pacific and note I don't believe we will get any points on this consolidator ticket (Oh well, as it was over 15,000 miles). The main flights would be in coach on a Boeing 777 Jet (what is the configuration?). Do they give you anything like Lufthansa does (they still include meals, hot towels, free headphones, wines with dinner and after dinner drink - I believe I had Baileys at no charge in coach).

One more thing, this agent (Chinese agency) told me that in order to get consolidator tickets we must fly the same airline both ways. Is this true? Again, the problem was United coming from Singapore since we wanted to leave after our cruise and arrive home on Sunday vs Monday.

[Jade13]

Originally Posted by Jade13

Ok, I mentioned this under the Dragon Air thread but few people will probably read it. I was trying to get flights on China Air, United and Lufthansa (or Singapore Air) but TA has American and Cathay Pacific flights on Hold (includes a 6:30pm return from Singapore that gets us home many hours prior to the UA flight). This flight is over $1,000.00pp less in coach than the China Air United flights (which would have also forced us to stay overnight in Singapore and pay for a hotel because United flight leaves SIN in the morning). Singapore was the problem trying to get Star Alliance flights.

I want to know about your experiance on Cathay Pacific and note I don't believe we will get any points on this consolidator ticket (Oh well, as it was over 15,000 miles). The main flights would be in coach on a Boeing 777 Jet (what is the configuration?). Do they give you anything like Lufthansa does (they still include meals, hot towels, free headphones, wines with dinner and after dinner drink - I believe I had Baileys at no charge in coach).

One more thing, this agent (Chinese agency) told me that in order to get consolidator tickets we must fly the same airline both ways. Is this true? Again, the problem was United coming from Singapore since we wanted to leave after our cruise and arrive home on Sunday vs Monday.

Also, I found out they can not get consolidator tickets on Cathay Pacific to YYZ (Toronto?) or LAX (only JFK and one other airport) but they may have a better flight leaving in the morning that gets us into PEK in the evening so we still have one full day in PEK.

[Jade13]

Also, it's a "V" fare so we can't get points on AA, only Cathay Pacific "Marco Polo Club". Can 15,000 or so pints be used for anything and how soon do they expire?

[6rugrats]

Originally Posted by Jade13

Also, it's a "V" fare so we can't get points on AA, only Cathay Pacific "Marco Polo Club". Can 15,000 or so pints be used for anything and how soon do they expire?

You don't qualify for any status with 15,000 miles. Perhaps this will be helpful for you:

http://www.cathaypacific.com/cpa/en_.../mpo/clubmiles

I wouldn't hesitate to fly Cathay Pacific if you are worried about service; sometimes the price of the ticket is the trade off for not earning miles in the alliance of your choice. You have to decide what's more important to you.

You can go to the airline's webpage and usually, under a heading such as inflight services, can find out about their meal/drink service:
http://www.cathaypacific.com/cpa/en_...ls/wineanddine

[fbgd]

I saw this the other day:
http://www.airliners.net/aviation-fo...d.main/120851/

Never flown CX in Economy myself so don't know if the above is an accurate reflection of a transpacific flight with them! On my handful of flights with CX over the last year I've been very impressed with the service though.

In your original post you mentioned 'China Air', is that Air China or China Airlines?

[Gardyloo]

CX has installed new seats in economy that are getting very mixed reviews. I've only flown CX in business class, and much preferred their old business seats over the new ones, and apparently many people feel the same about the coach chairs too. Have a look here:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/catha...a-seats-y.html

Service on CX is generally very good; on average I'd say considerably better than most non-Asian carriers and a good many Asian ones. However I must say that I've noticed a drop in the quality of service from CX over the past couple of years, which means from superb down to very good, so I'd still say you'll be pleased with the service.

JFK-HKG is one of the longest nonstop flights in the world (and of course even longer if you get the flight that stops in Vancouver) so speaking just personally if there was ever an occasion to suck it up and pay for more comfortable seating, that would be the one. Don't know when your cruise is, but you might have a look at British Airways premium economy via London, or Japan Airlines premium economy, or even Cathay's "I" business class fare at $3400 per person out of Toronto. Then arrange your intra-Asia travel separately. A lot of money for sure, but just throwing ideas around.

[Travelcat2]

Are you sure the plane is a 777? I went to two websites to get the configuration for coach on Qantas -- neither site showed a 777.

[Gardyloo]

Originally Posted by Travelcat2

Are you sure the plane is a 777? I went to two websites to get the configuration for coach on Qantas -- neither site showed a 777.

We're talking about Cathay Pacific, not Qantas.

[Travelcat2]

Originally Posted by Gardyloo

We're talking about Cathay Pacific, not Qantas.

Oops -- that was a definitely a brain freeze

Here is the link to the seat configuration for the Cathay Pacific 777-400 (the 777-200 is also on this site). http://www.seatguru.com/airlines/Cat..._747-400_B.php

[fbgd]

Originally Posted by Travelcat2

Here is the link to the seat configuration for the Cathay Pacific 777-400 (the 777-200 is also on this site). http://www.seatguru.com/airlines/Cat..._747-400_B.php

The link you posted was for the 747-400. There is currently no 777-400.

CX do operate both 777-300 and 777-200.

[scottbee]

Originally Posted by Jade13

Ok, I mentioned this under the Dragon Air thread but few people will probably read it. I was trying to get flights on China Air, United and Lufthansa (or Singapore Air) but TA has American and Cathay Pacific flights on Hold (includes a 6:30pm return from Singapore that gets us home many hours prior to the UA flight). This flight is over $1,000.00pp less in coach than the China Air United flights (which would have also forced us to stay overnight in Singapore and pay for a hotel because United flight leaves SIN in the morning). Singapore was the problem trying to get Star Alliance flights.

I want to know about your experiance on Cathay Pacific and note I don't believe we will get any points on this consolidator ticket (Oh well, as it was over 15,000 miles). The main flights would be in coach on a Boeing 777 Jet (what is the configuration?). Do they give you anything like Lufthansa does (they still include meals, hot towels, free headphones, wines with dinner and after dinner drink - I believe I had Baileys at no charge in coach).

One more thing, this agent (Chinese agency) told me that in order to get consolidator tickets we must fly the same airline both ways. Is this true? Again, the problem was United coming from Singapore since we wanted to leave after our cruise and arrive home on Sunday vs Monday.

Where exactly are you trying to get to and from? AC & UA have very very good fares to HKG right now out of most Canadian and American Cities.

Also, for your 15k miles, I would assign them to an ALASKA AIRLINES FF account (partners w/ CX), because 12,500 is enough to buy a one-way on AS, and you could use for a flight to ANC in the future...

[Travelcat2]

Here is the 777-300 http://www.seatguru.com/airlines/Cat...ng_777-300.php

[Jade13]

Originally Posted by scottbee

Where exactly are you trying to get to and from? AC & UA have very very good fares to HKG right now out of most Canadian and American Cities.

Also, for your 15k miles, I would assign them to an ALASKA AIRLINES FF account (partners w/ CX), because 12,500 is enough to buy a one-way on AS, and you could use for a flight to ANC in the future...

It's over 19,000 miles and as a "V" ticket my understanding is that it can only go to Cathay Pacific.

[fbgd]

Originally Posted by Travelcat2

Here is the 777-300 http://www.seatguru.com/airlines/Cat...ng_777-300.php

That's the shorthaul/midhaul 773.

The one CX use on longhaul is this one.
http://www.seatguru.com/airlines/Cat..._777-300ER.php

[Jade13]

Here are the flights I have on hold for $1,400 each including tax. Do you think I can do better? I have been looking for months.


Feb 2

JFK

NEW YORK JFK, NY

HKG

HONG KONG, HONG KONG S A R

CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS
CX 0841
Departing At
09:15am

Arriving At
02:25pm

Duration

16hr(s) :10min(s)

Aircraft

BOEING 777 JET



HGK to PEK

R]

HKG

HONG KONG, HONG KONG S A R

CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS
CX 0312
Departing At
05:00pm

Arriving At
08:15pm

Duration

03hr(s) :15min(s)

Status

Confirmed

Class

Economy

Aircraft

AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A330 JET

PEK

BEIJING, CHINA

HKG

HONG KONG, HONG KONG S A R

CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS
CX 0317
Departing At
07:50am

Arriving At
11:25am

Confirmed

Class

Economy

Aircraft

AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A330 JET
Mileage[/center][/center]
1239

Feb 20th

SINGAPORE, SINGAPORE

HKG

HONG KONG, HONG KONG S A R

CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS
CX 0716
Departing At
06:30pm
Terminal
TERMINAL 1
Arriving At
10:10pm
Terminal
TERMINAL 1

Confirmed

Class

Economy

Aircraft

BOEING 777 JET

Sunday Feb 21

HONG KONG, HONG KONG S A R

YVR

VANCOUVER BC, CANADA

CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS
CX 0888
Departing At
12:55am
Sun, Feb 21
Terminal
TERMINAL 1
Arriving At
08:15pm
Sat, Feb 20
Terminal
MAIN TERMINAL
Status[/b][/center][/center]
Confirmed

Class

Economy

Aircraft

BOEING 777 JET

Meals

Dinner , Breakfast

Stops

Mileage

6383

YVR

VANCOUVER BC, CANADA

JFK

NEW YORK JFK, NY

CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS
CX 0888
Departing At
09:45pm
Sat, Feb 20

Arriving At
06:00am
Sun, Feb 21

Aircraft
BOEING 777 JET

[Jade13]

Originally Posted by scottbee

Where exactly are you trying to get to and from? AC & UA have very very good fares to HKG right now out of most Canadian and American Cities.
.

The problem with United is the return from Singapore. There is no evening flight.

[Jade13]

Originally Posted by Gardyloo

CX has installed new seats in economy that are getting very mixed reviews. I've only flown CX in business class, and much preferred their old business seats over the new ones, and apparently many people feel the same about the coach chairs too. Have a look here:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/catha...a-seats-y.html

Service on CX is generally very good; on average I'd say considerably better than most non-Asian carriers and a good many Asian ones. However I must say that I've noticed a drop in the quality of service from CX over the past couple of years, which means from superb down to very good, so I'd still say you'll be pleased with the service.

JFK-HKG is one of the longest nonstop flights in the world (and of course even longer if you get the flight that stops in Vancouver) so speaking just personally if there was ever an occasion to suck it up and pay for more comfortable seating, that would be the one. Don't know when your cruise is, but you might have a look at British Airways premium economy via London, or Japan Airlines premium economy, or even Cathay's "I" business class fare at $3400 per person out of Toronto. Then arrange your intra-Asia travel separately. A lot of money for sure, but just throwing ideas around.

Cathay Pacific - Does this mean the seats do not go back?

"The first thing you'll notice in our new Economy Class is that your space really is your space. And then there's the total control you have of your entertainment with our new Audio and Video on Demand.

Experience

The fixed-back shell seat in our new Economy Class ensures that no one in front of you will ever intrude into your space again. So you can relax and enjoy your 9" widescreen TV with StudioCX – featuring a rotating library of 100 movies, 350 TV shows, 888 music CDs, 22 radio channels, and entertainment programmes in nine languages.*

*To be introduced in all classes in July 2008.




You'll be happy as a clam in your new shell seat. Why? Because no one will ever recline into your salad or onto your computer again – they're in their own shell seat. The fixed-back design means that all seat movement is within a shell that doesn’t move whether you're sitting upright or sleeping, so everyone has a protected personal space. And with a LEAP® Live Back™ upholstered seat, it's a very comfortable space, with smooth reclining and an adjustable headrest."

[Gardyloo]

Originally Posted by Jade13

Cathay Pacific - Does this mean the seats do not go back?

What it means is that the seat bottom slides forward and the seat back angle increases slightly. The back seat cushion is separate from a rigid "shell" that doesn't move, instead your legs go forward "pulling" your backside farther from the seat back, so that by leaning back you're in a "reclining" position.

The problem is that there's nowhere for your knees to go except into the rigid back of the seat in front. So instead of that seat reclining into your knee space, your knees snug up against the seat. IMO same result - you don't have any space. People are complaining that it forces you into a "banana" shape that's inherently uncomfortable. As with the present case, it would be worse with tall people than not so tall.

[scottbee]

Originally Posted by Jade13

Here are the flights I have on hold for $1,400 each including tax. Do you think I can do better? I have been looking for months.

$1039 USD, plus ANA is a *A partner which I think you were looking for.


Tue Feb 2 2010
All Nippon Flight 9
Departs: 11:15a John F Kennedy Intl (JFK)
Arrives: 3:25p Narita (NRT)
Coach | Boeing 777 (Wide-body Jet) | 14h 10m

All Nippon Flight 955
Departs: 5:25p Narita (NRT)
Arrives: 8:30p Capital (PEK)
Coach | Boeing 767-300 (Wide-body Jet) | 4h 05m


Sun Feb 21 2010
All Nippon Flight 902
Departs: 11:25p Changi (SIN)
Arrives: 7:05a Narita (NRT)
Coach | Boeing 767-300 (Wide-body Jet) | 6h 40m

All Nippon Flight 10
Departs: 11:00a Narita (NRT)
Arrives: 9:30a John F Kennedy Intl (JFK)
Coach | Boeing 777 (Wide-body Jet) | 12h 30m

[Jade13]

Originally Posted by scottbee

$1039 USD, plus ANA is a *A partner which I think you were looking for.


Tue Feb 2 2010
All Nippon Flight 9
Departs: 11:15a John F Kennedy Intl (JFK)
Arrives: 3:25p Narita (NRT)
Coach | Boeing 777 (Wide-body Jet) | 14h 10m

All Nippon Flight 955
Departs: 5:25p Narita (NRT)
Arrives: 8:30p Capital (PEK)
Coach | Boeing 767-300 (Wide-body Jet) | 4h 05m


Sun Feb 21 2010
All Nippon Flight 902
Departs: 11:25p Changi (SIN)
Arrives: 7:05a Narita (NRT)
Coach | Boeing 767-300 (Wide-body Jet) | 6h 40m

All Nippon Flight 10
Departs: 11:00a Narita (NRT)
Arrives: 9:30a John F Kennedy Intl (JFK)
Coach | Boeing 777 (Wide-body Jet) | 12h 30m

Scottbee, thanks for the help! Sorry my post was hard to read. Our cruise actually gets in on Sat the 20th, so we want to be home on Sunday since we need to go back to work on Monday

I would also need a flight from PEK to HGK on the 5th and on my own they are coming up at about $485.00 for one way. There was some issue that for consolidator tickets need to be on the same airline but I'll ask. I don't really understrand because we are still on an AA regional jet to/from JFK. And of course in the wrong fare code we don't get any points on an airline we will be using again wihin 18 months (on whenever they expire). If the pricing was based on just being in the same "alliance" well we would prefer to be on SWISS, Lufthansa or Singapore Air (I've read good things about them here). However, the Cathay Pacific direct from JFK sure saves a 4-9 hour stopover in Europe.

Btw, were did you find that flight/fare? Even that price with $485.00 from PEK to HGK is not that much more than what I have right now.