AA business vs. Cathay business
 

We have the option of flying DFW-NRT-BKK on AA/JAL, or LAX-HKG-BKK on Cathay.

Is there a big difference between the business products?

Thanks in advance for your help.

If you do have a choice, take CX through HKG. AA's 777s still have the old J seats although 1 or 2 have been converted, your chances of getting the new J seats are almost zero.

Besides, you get to check out the fabulous CX lounges in HKG during your layover. The Wing and the Pier.

The new AA AC in NRT has been reported to be very nice and the best OneWorld lounge in NRT at the moment, but I just can't imagine it being better than the CX lounges in HKG.

Personally I will take HKG over NRT anyday. It's a great airport.

Have a great trip.

The only issue is that so far, two of CX's 744 have been converted to feature their herringbone flat-beds. Most of the reviews of the seats are very negative - particularly in regard to its narrowness.

One cannot hold up a newspaper to read, and some feel very claustrophobic in them.

Many thanks!

We really had fun in the NRT AA lounge because of the automatic beer dispensors - not drinking the beer, just watching everyone when they saw it for the first time. :-) Also, JAL is the only airline we've ever been on that has the birds-eye view cameras - they were cool.

However, we would avoid JAL if we could. DH found the business class seats to be very uncomfortable on the flight from NRT to BKK - he's 6'2".

<font color="green">Cyn</font>

I'm 6'3&quot; and loved JAL's business class on a two-cabin 744 (DPS-NRT) with old style seats.

If departing from LAX is an option then I'd see if JAL has their lie-flat shell seat for LAX-NRT.

Definitely recommend taking Cathay. While flight experience may be a little better than AA, Cathay’s Hong Kong lounge's quality far surpass AA/JAL’s lounge in Tokyo.

AA’s lounge in NRT was moved since late 2006. I think AA just refurbished JAL’s old lounge with limited budget – unfortunately it shows. The place is usually very crowded – it gives the feeling of being in bus terminal.