Comparison of UCS to Cathay Pacific new J class
Posted: 10 Apr 2008, 15:32After a very decent VS experience culminating in a 40 min early arrival at Hong Kong, I was able to get onto an earlier Cathay Pacific flight to Taipei. The 402 is on certain days run by CXs latest 777s, the -300ERs which are fitted with the new F and J class. Ive had the new F class a couple of times, but hadnt managed to try out J. Today, I would.
The basic cabin layout is herringbone, just like Virgin. However, being a few years later to the game means some changes and refinements have been made to the seat. The big pluses are:
A proper reclining seat with full legrest and footstall so plenty of lounging options
Big 15 monitor with AVOD that switches on quickly
A tray table that works work, and can be folded in half
Better construction so fewer wobbles and creaks
Hugely improved lighting overhead, mood and a decent reading light
Cloth rather than leather so the seat feels more squishy and less slidey
Much improved drinks tables that are fixed rather than popping out at shoulder height
However, there are a few negatives:
The bed is a little bit ridged as it does not flip over (N.B I clearly didnt try sleeping on it during a 1h20 min flight so cant be that informed about how uncomfortable it is)
The colour scheme and cabin lights are a bit drab no funky purple lighting, though the lack of tacky metallic accents is a plus.
No internal dividers after door 2 mean the main J cabin feels just like a dorm in the 1-2-1 config. VSs snooze zone barrier helps break the A340-600 cabin up nicely
No armrests in the seat, though it is much easier to slouch against the seat side as it doesnt curve away.
The 777 is so much noisier than the Airbus both plane noise and a/c.
There has been some commentary elsewhere about the seat feeling narrower than VS. It may be a little bit tighter the lack of armrests shows that but it in no way felt constricted. I certainly could have settled in for HKG-JFK without any qualms at all.
Pleasingly, this flight also had service from the old CX i.e. a crew full of smiles, super efficient and keen to please. The food also seems to have perked up; a tasty dish of sea bass, wit raspberry cheese cake to follow, plus a decent bread basket on offer. Billecart Salmon champagne too.
When deployed to LHR, it will be a package to give VS a real challenge and beats BA imo.
P.S Apologies if this isn't the best forum for the comments [:)]
The basic cabin layout is herringbone, just like Virgin. However, being a few years later to the game means some changes and refinements have been made to the seat. The big pluses are:
A proper reclining seat with full legrest and footstall so plenty of lounging options
Big 15 monitor with AVOD that switches on quickly
A tray table that works work, and can be folded in half
Better construction so fewer wobbles and creaks
Hugely improved lighting overhead, mood and a decent reading light
Cloth rather than leather so the seat feels more squishy and less slidey
Much improved drinks tables that are fixed rather than popping out at shoulder height
However, there are a few negatives:
The bed is a little bit ridged as it does not flip over (N.B I clearly didnt try sleeping on it during a 1h20 min flight so cant be that informed about how uncomfortable it is)
The colour scheme and cabin lights are a bit drab no funky purple lighting, though the lack of tacky metallic accents is a plus.
No internal dividers after door 2 mean the main J cabin feels just like a dorm in the 1-2-1 config. VSs snooze zone barrier helps break the A340-600 cabin up nicely
No armrests in the seat, though it is much easier to slouch against the seat side as it doesnt curve away.
The 777 is so much noisier than the Airbus both plane noise and a/c.
There has been some commentary elsewhere about the seat feeling narrower than VS. It may be a little bit tighter the lack of armrests shows that but it in no way felt constricted. I certainly could have settled in for HKG-JFK without any qualms at all.
Pleasingly, this flight also had service from the old CX i.e. a crew full of smiles, super efficient and keen to please. The food also seems to have perked up; a tasty dish of sea bass, wit raspberry cheese cake to follow, plus a decent bread basket on offer. Billecart Salmon champagne too.
When deployed to LHR, it will be a package to give VS a real challenge and beats BA imo.
P.S Apologies if this isn't the best forum for the comments [:)]