Cathay Business Virgin Upper

** mods! happy if you move this else where... Wasn't sure of the right page to draw this up on**

I just flew Cathay pacific from New Zealand to Dubai, via HKG in Premium Econ. As I boarded in HKG for the second leg, the magical buzzer sounded and an instant upgrade was issued - PE had been oversold, so I was "bumped" up to Business - the ticketing clerk actually apologised for the inconvenience!

So thought I'd pen a few comparisons between business and upper.


Aircraft
I was in an a330. The layout was 1-2-1 with the v shape formation in the centre. In the middle, Unlike the dream suite, you were essentially sitting next to the person, but pointing out towards the aisle.

This cx metal felt a little older, but there were nice touches, like flowers and air freshers.

The bathrooms were for business only and were also much nicer in their design than the premium toilet I had used on the first leg.


Lighting
Cx also uses mood lighting, but not as well as va - some different colours were used, but it seemed a little jumbled.

Seat
In terms of size and seat to bed, cx takes this one - Larger than upper and one touch recline to bed - no need to get up.
Draw back. Rigid 'take off' position required for take off and landing - upper has the option of course to move around a little.
Storage - lots of little eat storage areas, but seat does not really make use of ottoman space, in fact, it's not an ottoman --- just a ledge that's cushioned.

Food
Va wins here
The experience is nice but rather limited. It felt a little but more like the PE va cabin. Nothing really special about the food. Two choices and they both seemed nice, but no flare or penash.


Ife
Hands down, cx win here. Also va offer a good range, but more and more carriers are now providing entire series options - I find this pretty enjoyable.
TV screen does not need to be stowed for take off or landing and headsets are not collected - pretty enjoyable gate to gate ife.
Movie and TV selection is strong and the screen is huge by comparisons to va.

Wow factors
This is where va win and why I will try to avoid flying with anyone else. This was an Efficient business service, but I wonder who actually was flying on business and needs that discreet corporate experience? The cabin was filed with families and holiday goers.
No in flight bar and a poor selection of drinks (Cathay sunshine cocktail was grim)

Cc and FSM were again efficient, very simely but not involved. I was welcomed by name, but then I felt like I was inconvenincing the crew when I asked for items off menu.

Enternally grateful to the aviation gods for the upgrade - I was in need of a rest. I slept better on this flight than I did on the dream suite vs400 last month, and the breakfast was pretty nice - no strange eggs!

Cost is the only compassion I've not experienced. But dummy bookings show they can be similar in price when comparing like for like routes by mileage.

I would certainly fly business with cx and pay for it, but it's nice to know that va still manages to be a little bit different and can pull the human touches out of the bag when required.

Sam

I've flown a few long haul sectors with CX this year - personally I find them the best business class around at present. The crew, the food and the seat are all excellent - in fact, it's the only seat I've managed to sleep on when in bed mode (no matter how tired I am, I never seem to be able to sleep on planes )

Another CX fan, having done NZ in both the old herring bone and the very roomy new business. Slept the best of any flight on these.
Routing through HKG to NZ a decent pull;
Avoiding the nonsense that is transiting through the States.
Better halfway stop than the middle eastern carriers, which often have to refuel in oz.
Found the CX experience poss not as "blingy" but seat and service win every time.

It's so horses for courses isn't it, while I think the current incarnation of the CX J seat is good (and the last one was dreadful), the rest is so so. The lounges are dull and have a weird service (e.g. No drinks before 1 pm in HKG), the food is average and the crew are meh! I'll fly on CX if I have to, but it's no VS at its best.

Certainly didn't experience the no drinks in HKG before 1pm thing in The Wing earlier this year on my way back from MEL. I distinctly remember being pounced upon by a woman with a bottle of Moet when I sat down after having a shower following the overnight flight. It was too early even for me.

The new CX J seat is definitely a little bigger on the 77W compared to the A333 I found

I have always been a big fan of CX and am still a DM member but I would always choose VS. The personal space on the new CX J is excellent and feels significantly bigger than VS. Pointing towards the window is great and they still serve garlic bread.
However, everything about it is very clinical. Even the service feels robotic. The staff are a little too polished - I like the quirky individualism of VS and the little touches. Talking to the crew is like having conversation with a speak your weight machine.
Don't forget that their FF program is extremely mean compared to VS and requires a lot more miles to redeem and, apart from HKG, their lounges are dreadful.