Airlines to Singapore/HK?

[Concordia]

Any preferred air service to SE Asia? I'm likely going in the fall, and have a few different kinds of miles to cash in.

And on a related point, is there currently any meaningful advantage on any of these carriers to take 1st rather than Business?

 

[globetrotter]

if you are going to Asia, take an Asian airline - Singapore, ANA, Korean, Thai. don't take AA or United.

and, yes, first is better, but I don't know if it is worth the extra money. first on sing is insanly enjoyable.

 

[Concordia]

Is Cathay Pacific remarkably good (or not)?

 

[dragon8]

Originally Posted by Concordia

Is Cathay Pacific remarkably good (or not)?

Take Singapore airlines or Cathay pacific. both are good but Business and first class is awesome.

 

[calisanfran]

Have traveled to Singapore a few times in Singapore Airlines business class and its been great.

 

[edinatlanta]

I did united to both business for one leg and it was very nive

 

[Cordwinder]

Asiana Airlines wins Best Airline Asia award at 2010 World Airline Awards

 

[impolyt_one]

I'm flying United biz class to America from Asia and then back again, I am expecting it to suck

For one, I didn't realize they have that fucked up seating arrangement where every other row of seats is back-facing and I will get to stare at somebody's face for 10 hrs. That or they can stare at my crotch for a few hours when I kick the chair back to sleep.

 

[globetrotter]

Originally Posted by impolyt_one

I'm flying United biz class to America from Asia and then back again, I am expecting it to suck

For one, I didn't realize they have that fucked up seating arrangement where every other row of seats is back-facing and I will get to stare at somebody's face for 10 hrs. That or they can stare at my crotch for a few hours when I kick the chair back to sleep.

actually, the backward seating isn't what bothers me, I just don't like the staff. these long flights go by seniority, so you have 70 year old hags with walkers, who can't get fired, getting your coffee. you fly with an asian airline, you have young nice girls who haven't burned out yet and will run around and get you your drinks and food cheerfully.

 

[acidboy]

Originally Posted by globetrotter

actually, the backward seating isn't what bothers me, I just don't like the staff. these long flights go by seniority, so you have 70 year old hags with walkers, who can't get fired, getting your coffee. you fly with an asian airline, you have young nice girls who haven't burned out yet and will run around and get you your drinks and food cheerfully.

oh so true about those old broads in american trans-pacific flights.

 

[Pennglock]

Singapore Air is great. If youre from the NY area you can get a direct flight too.

I wouldn't rule out British Airways either. Their lounge in Heathrow is a great way to spend your layover. You can get a quick shower, spa treatment or the like.

 

[changy]

Cathay is good only if you are in business or above. Their economy seats don't lean back anymore, which is just ridiculous.

 

[MikeDT]

Originally Posted by changy

Cathay is good only if you are in business or above. Their economy seats don't lean back anymore, which is just ridiculous.
Maybe they had many complaints about the lean backs in economy. I bloody hate it when the inconsiderate bastard in front leans back. To me no lean back seats in economy is great. Sent from Tapatalk.

 

[s2kev]

I've flown several different airlines to these destinations and I would definitely suggest taking an Asian airline over an American on for these routes. Cathay, Singapore Airlines, and EVA Air are some of the best airlines I've flown in terms of service, seats, and food. Cathay's first class is amazing. Enjoy your trip.

 

[Douglas]

listen to globe. he's right, and he's right because he has more experience on these routes than the rest of the forum put together.

UAL equipment to these cities is routinely outdated (read: 747, shared tube TVs from both SFO and ORD to HKG, and the SIN route is a continuation of the same ORD-HKG flight) and the service is brutal. Biz class is fine but still nothing to write home about.

I fly Cathay within the region with some frequency and it's nothing to write home about in economy. It's pretty much a standard airline.

Singapore is consistently named/voted the world's best airline, and has been for what, 2 decades now, for a reason.

I still fly UAL though because in the end it's just a flight and it's by far the most convenient option for me. And it's cheap.