Long Haul Economy Class Seating Korean Air Vrs. Cathay Pacific

[JimmyTheMook]

Both ticket prices are coming very close to each other.

I've been spoiled by EVA Air evergreen deluxe , so wondering

between Korean and Cathay economy class is either is more favorable ?

Reviews / Opinions appreciated.

[surangw]

Cathay has the new shell seats, look better than average

As for Kal, do they still tack on the bogus fuel surcharge ?

[UbonOz]

Korean Air recently was attempting to charge passengers extra after they had booked and paid for their fare. Some clown had loaded the wrong fares.

A lot of very unhappy passengers. Any business that tries that stunt would never see me looking at their product in the future.

I have flown several times with CX, always had good service.

Sometimes it is cheaper to fly Air Asia from Bangkok to Hong Kong and then just get the Cathay fare from Hong Kong to wherever, instead of getting a through fare with CX.

[HaruHaru]

Long Haul Economy Class Seating Korean Air Vrs. Cathay Pacific

Depending on aircraft/route but I'm assuming that OP is flying out of the U.S..

33-34" seat pitch for most trans pacific flights (economy class) on Korean Air

from SFO/LAX/SEA/ORD/JKF/IAD/DFW/ATL to Seoul/Incheon

32" for Cathay from/to SFO/LAX-HKG

[lukasl]

I flew here from Toronto using EVA Air, Cathay Pacific and Korean Air. Always Boeing 777 with stop in their hubs. I always had a great experience in all 3 compared to other American, Canadian or European airlines. If you have to change planes in their hubs, Seoul and Taipei are nicer airports than Hong Kong.

Check out reviews here http://www.tripadvisor.ca/Airlines

[WilliaminBKK]

I prefer CX even though many people hate their shell seats I actually found them comfy, food is great and I love HKG airport, most of the passengers are seasoned travellers, eat and then sleep. KE on the other hand I don't like at all, sorry to sound snobby but KE is the cheapest carrier out of North America in most markets and tend to attract large families and student backpackers.

[rfukata]

are there much difference in the door to door time it will take you to your destination, I know some KAL fts have long layover in Incheon.

I would choose Cathay Pacific - they seem to have a better reputation over KAL, as well as aviation safety records.

[JimmyTheMook]

are there much difference in the door to door time it will take you to your destination, I know some KAL fts have long layover in Incheon.

I would choose Cathay Pacific - they seem to have a better reputation over KAL, as well as aviation safety records.

Nope , nicer thing about Korean is a bit longer flight on the first leg so breaks to following amount of hours needed to continue on to USA.

Read quite a few bad reviews about the new clam shell seating in Cathay's economy but resined to the fact

I'd be miserable in any airlines economy class for more than 6 hours.

[el jefe]

I read the OP's post as a question specifically regarding the seats.

I've flown CX between JFK and HKG about a dozen roundtrips, 3/4 of them in economy. The shell seats that they were using on those planes were some of the most uncomfortable in the industry. when you recline, your seat slides within the shell. the good part about that system is that when the person in front of you reclines their seat, you don't get a seatback in your face. the downside is that by "reclining" you are sliding your seat forward so you're losing legroom. And the seats don't recline very far.

CX announced that they are refitting the planes with different seats. I haven't flown CX since October but fly BKK-HKG-JFK in about 2 weeks. If the new seats are in, they have to be better.

i have no experience with Korean Air other than dealing with their horrendous website.

[dddave]

I've flown both KAL and CP several times this past year BKK-LAX. I prefer KAL: more leg room and wider seats along with better service from the very stylish FA's. Food in economy is about equal but KAL is more generous with the beverages. I did not like CP's shell seats.

Layovers at ICN can be long but I love the airport. There are free demonstrations of traditional Korean crafts and music, a very good selection of restaurants and free lounge areas. You can also arrange a free short tour of Seoul at a kiosk in the arrivals hall.