Cathay Pacific - Long haul to Japan

DeFrEaTs

DeFrEaTs

DeFrEaTs

Associate
Joined
8 Apr 2004
Posts
760
Location
Japan
So I just got back from Japan after flying with Virgin for my interview, got the job and will be moving back there permanently.

My problem is with the flights being so much, I have found myself looking at flights with 1 stop. I am avoiding China Airlines (the cheapest) but have seen a very cheap flight with Cathay Pacific, stopping for 2 hours in Hong Kong.

Has anyone had any experience with these? I have 2 kids and an 8 month baby, so want a comfortable flight with tvs etc to keep them entertained.

Thoughts would be much appreciated. One question is also whether you can chose your seat, as I want to sit near the toilets where they can hang a baby bed on the wall for you.
 
I flew with them to australia and they were QUALITY the food was great and the entertainment was good. Lots of channels with some good programs, The movie section was lacking though with not a lot of new movies but this may differ depending on the plane :/ but overall Very Good :)
 
Cathay Pacific are an excellent airline, one of the worlds best.

It doesn't matter what Hong Kong is like as with a 2 hour changeover you will be unable to leave the airport anyway and will find yourself quite tight for time.
 
Its odd,

When I spoke to people a Hong Kong hotel they were surpised I picked Cathay over Virgin, as they much prefered Virgin.

I think its partly the layed back approach Virgin take to service that can make a change.

However I rate Catahy much higher as the hostess(es) don't dissapear, there is allways snacks out.

Also the number one reason is they will make cup noodles for you.

When I went it Feb a seat change was only possible via email.
 
[TW]Fox;15261793 said:
Virgin are the worst airline I have ever flown with.
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Thats interesting, as I've only heard praise about them...hmm..why were they so bad?


Oh and to the OP - Congrats on the job :)
 
[TW]Fox;15261793 said:
Virgin are the worst airline I have ever flown with.
Click to expand...

Virgin are average, food is better leaving Heathrow then returning, I'm not sure the American catering places can cook.

They do a decent enough job, but I don't like the planes leaving from Gatwick, they use junk old ones that are worn out.
 
what are you going to do in Japan?


Ive flown with All Nippon Airways (ANA), British Airways and Virgin Atlantic each to Japan. I think Virgin is the best of those 3
 
Phate said:
Thats interesting, as I've only heard praise about them...hmm..why were they so bad?
Click to expand...

I flew with them to Boston and also from NYC to Heathrow and both times there was minimal legroom and the plane was rammed with screaming children. It was the scheduled equivilent of a charter flight to Benidorm.
 
I've flown Virgin Heathrow to NYC, Boston and San Francisco and back ... all of which were fine with plenty of space and I am not a small person ... food coming back is dire compared with flying out though.

Japan .... I flew JAL but that was business class, and was very very nice ... but very expensive .... looking forward to flying the same again next year, (hopefully we'll get a cute trainee stewardess flying out again too :p). The people who were with us who travelled normal economy found it fine as well even for the length of the direct flight from Heathrow to Tokyo and the return from Osaka.
 
I was unable to book online so called the company and they said Cathay Pacific was an error and can only be booked that cheap if you book accommodation. I therefore spent some time finding the cheapest option and it turns out Virgin are starting an offer on 11th Sept, so went with them again. No stops and comes to 2k, about 500 more than the stoppers.

I've flown Virgin and ANA to/from Japan before so know what to expect, a nice relief.

I'm working in a Japanese company as a consultant. Something I've wanted to do for some time but just had too much on with my wife giving birth etc. We came here from Japan a year ago, but just haven't blended in like we had hoped (even though I am English) and just prefer it there. It's a permanent position, so fingers crossed everything works out this time!!!

Thanks for all of the helpful comments.
 
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