BA's A380 vs CX
Liam,
That is all fine but they are just doing their job as per Company policy.
If you don't like it, don't complain about the CC; go and actually do something about it, maybe GMIS would be a good place to start, and if one is out of the office, the other should be there to field your questions.
Please start with the question about the IFE. I suspect it comes from the cavemen at the CAD rather than CX policy.
Max
That is all fine but they are just doing their job as per Company policy.
If you don't like it, don't complain about the CC; go and actually do something about it, maybe GMIS would be a good place to start, and if one is out of the office, the other should be there to field your questions.
Please start with the question about the IFE. I suspect it comes from the cavemen at the CAD rather than CX policy.
Max
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Max Reheat
Thanks,
I just knew someone would respond on those lines. If you had read the first six words of my post you would have seen the phrase "Cathay Policy".
The individual girls have no more influence over policy than I, but nonetheless the Policy is defective in not meeting customer needs. The only people who can address this is ISD.
CAD is the Regulator, but Cathay is not without influence and Cathay sets a Policy out of whack with the desires of our customers. Again, the only people who can address this is ISD. So long as what we do is not dangerous, do you think CAD cares?
Regarding the IFE, I recall a few years back the IFE was trialled on pre-departure and ISD quickly declared that customers did not like it. I suspect what customers did not like was the IFE being interrupted by naff PAs in 3 languages telling them the aircraft was being refuelled and the passengers are not allowed to smoke. PAs informing them that if they are struggling with their bags, the Cabin Crew will kindly offload their bags. PAs telling them that Duty Free sales will be available in-flight. PAs in 3 languages telling people to sit down, when an individual FA could just as effectively do it with a stern look and a hand signal. Also, I think it was back in the day everyone had to sit through the naff health in-flight video and I suspect that when all the interruptions were taken into account, nobody actually got to a see any entertainment at all!! Strangely, when surveyed customers thought the idea of the IFE being on predeparture was pointless..... Which it was!!
Meanwhile, our competitors have the IFE running and headphones are allowed to be used at all times. PAs are kept to a bare minimum so as to not disturb passengers. Phones/games/laptops can be used until door closes or aircraft moves and even then a pragmatic approach is adopted.
What a novel concept,- Service before ideology.
I just knew someone would respond on those lines. If you had read the first six words of my post you would have seen the phrase "Cathay Policy".
The individual girls have no more influence over policy than I, but nonetheless the Policy is defective in not meeting customer needs. The only people who can address this is ISD.
CAD is the Regulator, but Cathay is not without influence and Cathay sets a Policy out of whack with the desires of our customers. Again, the only people who can address this is ISD. So long as what we do is not dangerous, do you think CAD cares?
Regarding the IFE, I recall a few years back the IFE was trialled on pre-departure and ISD quickly declared that customers did not like it. I suspect what customers did not like was the IFE being interrupted by naff PAs in 3 languages telling them the aircraft was being refuelled and the passengers are not allowed to smoke. PAs informing them that if they are struggling with their bags, the Cabin Crew will kindly offload their bags. PAs telling them that Duty Free sales will be available in-flight. PAs in 3 languages telling people to sit down, when an individual FA could just as effectively do it with a stern look and a hand signal. Also, I think it was back in the day everyone had to sit through the naff health in-flight video and I suspect that when all the interruptions were taken into account, nobody actually got to a see any entertainment at all!! Strangely, when surveyed customers thought the idea of the IFE being on predeparture was pointless..... Which it was!!
Meanwhile, our competitors have the IFE running and headphones are allowed to be used at all times. PAs are kept to a bare minimum so as to not disturb passengers. Phones/games/laptops can be used until door closes or aircraft moves and even then a pragmatic approach is adopted.
What a novel concept,- Service before ideology.
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Liam,
You hit the nail on the head, I couldn't agree with you more. The slow painful death by PA on this airline has gotten out of control. Passengers just want a little peace and quiet. Even some of our Captains PA's are painful. I was on a YVR flight recently and the Capt's welcome PA went on and on and on; weather in YVR, weather in JFK, time checks for everywhere, route details, repeat again blah blah blah. It's 1 am, nobody cares about the time and weather in JFK! (And if I did, I'd check my iPhone). I have recently discovered (along with many passengers these days), the bliss of a Bose noise canceling headset along with loading all my own entertainment on my iPad. No interruptions, and improves my inflight experience and environment dramatically.
You hit the nail on the head, I couldn't agree with you more. The slow painful death by PA on this airline has gotten out of control. Passengers just want a little peace and quiet. Even some of our Captains PA's are painful. I was on a YVR flight recently and the Capt's welcome PA went on and on and on; weather in YVR, weather in JFK, time checks for everywhere, route details, repeat again blah blah blah. It's 1 am, nobody cares about the time and weather in JFK! (And if I did, I'd check my iPhone). I have recently discovered (along with many passengers these days), the bliss of a Bose noise canceling headset along with loading all my own entertainment on my iPad. No interruptions, and improves my inflight experience and environment dramatically.
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Who actually uses IFE any more? I have state of the art touch screen IFE and broadband on the ground, on the airport express, in the lounge, and at destination. It's called an Ipad. They'd be better off ripping the whole system out and replacing it with a wifi system, like the modern airlines.
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I'd love to add my 2 cents worth but Liam, you have put it so well. Exactly right. The Company is responsible for this debacle and debacle it is. I commute and just listening and observing the other pax I can assure all..they HATE it.
'nough said.
'nough said.
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As British Airways (BA) looks to begin a new era by introducing the Airbus A380 superjumbo on the London Heathrow-Los Angeles route October 15, and the London Heathrow-Hong Kong route November 15, whose 469-seat 4-class configuration with 14 First Class seats, 97 Club World business class seats, 55 World Traveller Plus premium economy seats and 303 World Traveller economy class seats will be one of the least densely configured A380s,,,,
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I don't see how the 748-i can compete with the A380 in terms of pax, LH is configured with 360 or so seats, their A380 is 480 or so. It's a little bit bigger that a 400 sure, but Very Large? No. Not sure what CX's config might be.
Last edited by crwkunt roll; 18th Apr 2013 at 03:30.
My base airport has a huge sign at the entrance off the freeway saying 'Fly the XXX (airline) Airbus A380 to XXX').
Can't imagine that 'Fly the Cathay Pacific Boeing 747-8I to Hong Kong' would have the same eclat.
Can't imagine that 'Fly the Cathay Pacific Boeing 747-8I to Hong Kong' would have the same eclat.
Last edited by Captain Dart; 18th Apr 2013 at 06:26.
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I agree Captain Dart,
For the record, i'm not on the Airbus but I must say, I feel the A380 is a game changer. Passengers love the A380, they aren't concerned about how much cargo fits in the hold, they like the features it offers.
For the record, i'm not on the Airbus but I must say, I feel the A380 is a game changer. Passengers love the A380, they aren't concerned about how much cargo fits in the hold, they like the features it offers.
Last edited by badairsucker; 18th Apr 2013 at 06:53.
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Why not?
It seems the Germans don't share your opinion. In fact, the -8I is more of a premium carriage for them than the A380 is. Mathematically, it has a much higher percentage of premium seats than their A380s. Look at the destinations: LAX, HKG, IAD... Not exactly backpacker cities. Indian routes using the -8I because the A380 isn't allowed in.
It seems the Germans don't share your opinion. In fact, the -8I is more of a premium carriage for them than the A380 is. Mathematically, it has a much higher percentage of premium seats than their A380s. Look at the destinations: LAX, HKG, IAD... Not exactly backpacker cities. Indian routes using the -8I because the A380 isn't allowed in.
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Quote :RetiredBA/BY
I concur. Makes the 777 sound like my wife.
As a long time Boeing Captain, but someone who has travelled, own expense back and forwards between Sydney and London 3 times a year for the last 10 years on 74s 77s 330s and 340s , the A380 , I have concluded is the ONLY way to fly very long haul, a view reflected by ALL my friends and rellies who have flown on it.
That "party room" at the rear of the upper deck really is excellent (on EK) but the smoothness and quietness of the aircraft is totally unmatched by other types, Boeing or Airbus, and my guess is that when fuel is $200 a barrel and rising, only a matter of time, those airlines without the A380 for their long haul trunk routes simply won't be competitive !!
Frankly, I would have thought that if any airline needs the 380, then its CX for the HKG-LHR route ! CX hasn't just dropped the ball they have walked off the pitch.
But bean counters, lacking in flair, innovation, and forward vision, rule the day !
That "party room" at the rear of the upper deck really is excellent (on EK) but the smoothness and quietness of the aircraft is totally unmatched by other types, Boeing or Airbus, and my guess is that when fuel is $200 a barrel and rising, only a matter of time, those airlines without the A380 for their long haul trunk routes simply won't be competitive !!
Frankly, I would have thought that if any airline needs the 380, then its CX for the HKG-LHR route ! CX hasn't just dropped the ball they have walked off the pitch.
But bean counters, lacking in flair, innovation, and forward vision, rule the day !
Get real folks, judging by the loads we carry Cathay doesn't have much trouble attracting passengers HKG-LHR v.v or HKG-LAX v.v. with the 744 or the 777. Surely Cathay's choice of VLA (if any) will come down to the operating economics of each type. Given that Cathay carries a LOT of under-floor freight, I suspect that cargo capacity will be an important factor in any decision. I honestly don't know the numbers, but I suspect the -8I might edge out the A380 on the routes where Cathay is likely to operate a VLA.
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I'm a corporate pilot and fly throughout the world and as such spend a lot of time in the back of large airliners.. I can honestly say that the A380 is my choice of travel if there ever is an option to pick. I flew long haul from Seoul to LAX in business class and wondering if the Captain started all the engines when we took off. I also took a short flight in economy from HKG to BKK and marvelled at all the space... Before it was the tripple 7 as my choice because most long haul flights from where I travel use the -300ER model and thats fairly new so I enjoy the latest in entertainment and decent comfort. The oldr 747's rattle around so much it's hard to get rest but I do love the upper deck. There is just no comparison, from my point of view, when traveling as a passenger; the A380 is most comfy hands down. I do select A330's over Boeing aircraft, when traveling short and medium range, I like the 2-4-2 arrangement and I always choose the window seat. Now I am talking strictly as a passenger
Last edited by hawkerjet; 4th May 2013 at 01:13.
I'm the only one in my family who hasn't been carried by the 380. My lot (all experienced travellers) say it's the quietest and most comfortable of all the airliners. Passengers like it and will chose the type if there's a choice.
N4790P
Must be me then. Flown on it quite a few times now, both SQ and TG and to be frank, I can't understand what the hype is about. Flew to LAX direct on an SQ A345 and back upper deck (via Tokyo) on their A380. Same seats, same comfort level, similar noise levels. Both excellent.
Flown on upper and lower deck on TG A380s, both long haul and regional with similar comments.
Like all Airbus, it's quiet and smooth.
The only aircraft I personally dislike is the B777, noisy beast and those centre aisle overhead luggage bins - still got the scars!!
(Probably my age but I still prefer the B744 to anything).
Flown on upper and lower deck on TG A380s, both long haul and regional with similar comments.
Like all Airbus, it's quiet and smooth.
The only aircraft I personally dislike is the B777, noisy beast and those centre aisle overhead luggage bins - still got the scars!!
(Probably my age but I still prefer the B744 to anything).
