Update: Unfortunately, Cathay Pacific is ending service between Vancouver and New York in February 2020.
Finding Oneworld award availability within North America can be challenging. But there are tons of award seats in all classes of travel on Cathay Pacific’s daily flight from New York to Vancouver.
The Opportunity
Finding Oneworld award availability across the United States can be difficult. American Airlines is the only Oneworld airline flying within the United States. But American has become notoriously stingy with releasing award availability, especially on trans-continental flights between the United States east and west coasts.
But there’s a little-known Cathay Pacific flight from New York to Vancouver – just above the US border in Canada – with tons of award availability. The daily service has plenty of award availability most days in Economy, Premium Economy and Business… and even First class on some dates!
Cathay Pacific flight CX889 departs New York at 8.40pm, arriving in Vancouver at 11.45pm. In the other direction CX888 departs Vancouver at around 10pm, arriving in New York early the next morning. The service, which continues to/from Hong Kong, takes advantage of Cathay’s fifth freedom rights to carry passengers between Canada and the United States.
The Boeing 777-300ER flying from New York to Vancouver is configured for long-haul operations, so you can expect lie-flat beds in Business and First class. And you can redeem Qantas points, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, American AAdvantage miles or any other Oneworld frequent flyer points to book a seat!
For a one-way Cathay Pacific award flight from New York to Vancouver, Qantas charges 28,000 points for Economy, 42,000 points in Premium Economy, 53,000 points for Business or 78,000 points for First class. There’s also USD18.40 worth of taxes.
If you have Cathay Pacific Asia Miles or American Airlines AAdvantage miles, you can get an even better deal! Asia Miles charges only 30,000 miles one-way or 50,000 miles round-trip for a Business ticket – less than half of the points Qantas charges for the same redemption. American Airlines charges 37,500 miles one-way in Business or 55,000 miles in First class.
If you’re struggling to find award availability on trans-continental flights across the United States, it’s worth considering a stop in Vancouver. This Cathay Pacific flight is especially useful when you need to fly on a Oneworld airline, for example, if you’re booking a Oneworld Award.
The Facts
- Currency: Any Oneworld frequent flyer program
- Airline: Cathay Pacific
- Route: New York to Vancouver
- Class of travel: Economy, Premium Economy, Business and First class
- Cost: Varies by frequent flyer program and class of travel
- Availability: Excellent
- How to book: Qantas website, Asia Miles website or the American Airlines call centre
Would you like help using your frequent flyer points?
Frequent Flyer Concierge is a personalised service designed to take the hard work out of redeeming your frequent flyer points!
The Concierge team can help you to find the perfect flights using your points. Just let them know how many points you have and where you would like to go, and they’ll find a great itinerary that meets your needs.
