Al E Vator - for the record:
1. Dragonair is getting an entirely new fit-out of their fleets at the end of the year. The IFE will be installed along with sleeper beds in F & J etc etc. The product will be the same as CX and SQ.
Do you see a coincidence? I do.
2. Most Australians make the mistake of thinking that Dragonair is targetting the Australian/Korean etc market. They aren't. I suggest it is the outbound Chinese market (set to become one of the largest aviation markets in the world) that they are targetting. You should reverse you view that KA have no brand awareness in Oz/Korea etc and recognise that they have immense brand awareness in China. Better than CX/QF/KE etc etc.
Do you think you're missing the point? I do.
3. All KA aircraft could be brought into ETOPS compliance within a month or so. It would merely involve certification and perhaps installation of some up-rated bits n bobs. As for crew training, ETOPS would require a training course. One could be written in a matter of weeks. It would then take a couple of months to get pilots off the line and through the course. We are talking a total process of months for Company wide ETOPS compliance - which isn't really a problem given the licence application is itself a process of months.
Do you think you're exagerating the ETOPS thing? I do.
4. Cathay has no brand presence in China whatsoever at present. Whilst not denying that they are a fearsome and worthy competitor, I don't think Dragonair should shrink in fear of some healthy competition. Again you miss the point. Dragonair is not going to compete with Cathay for pax ex the rest of the world. Indeed, it could be seen as Cathay will compete with Dragonair for pax ex China.
Do you think you are overstating the power of the CX brand in China? I do.
In Summary - I don't think any of the hurdles are unsurmountable
and I don't think KA will get trampled by CX.