Cathay to cut worldwide capacity by 30% [Now 96%]

[prozac]

Does anyone know the authorative place to check CX flights out of Australia? It look like I have to return to London (have been working remotely for over 12 months). I have plenty of AA points so a CX J redemption seems to best way to get back.

QR are on the banned list and not flying to London. The only other option seems to be to pay for SQ Y and hope the loads are sparse.

Best to call them direct. I have just had CX flights SYD-HKG in May cancelled.

I have work in Europe and so also been working remotely. I will be just sitting tight for time being.

 

[QF029]

I can see sporadic availability on AA, flying CX to SYD-HKG then BA HKG-LHR.

It's probably a case of beggars can't be choosers, so take what you can get. Though I have no idea of what you need to do, if anything, in order to be able to transit HKG.

The challenge appears to be that they take bookings but it seems maybe only some Sydney flights are running (which is fine if I can find a firm schedule).

 

[Must...Fly!]

The challenge appears to be that they take bookings but it seems maybe only some Sydney flights are running (which is fine if I can find a firm schedule).

I was looking over the next fortnight. How far out are you looking to book?

 

[henrus]

I have plenty of AA points so a CX J redemption seems to best way to get back.

QR are on the banned list and not flying to London. The only other option seems to be to pay for SQ Y and hope the loads are sparse.

Some JAL flights via HND have availability which may be an option.

Given Singapore allows Australian's in you could potentially transit longer by leaving the airport (requires a covid test upon arrival ~$160 and insurance of ~$10 per day) but this does allow for a separate ticket from Singapore.

Scoot has been operating quite empty out of Perth and Melbourne to Singapore and then the option to spend a day or two in Singapore before picking up a CX ticket in SIN (where there's lots of J/F availability) and CX hasn't been canceling the SIN services that much.

 

[prozac]

The challenge appears to be that they take bookings but it seems maybe only some Sydney flights are running (which is fine if I can find a firm schedule).

Playing around on AsiaMiles (my points were returned to me this week) and found this if it suits. 1st May.

 

[madrooster]

The challenge appears to be that they take bookings but it seems maybe only some Sydney flights are running (which is fine if I can find a firm schedule).

I'd recommend that you take JL via HND instead. It runs twice per week and most days have U class available.

 

[AIRwin]

CX proposing to close pilot base in Australia:

Cathay prepares pilot base closures, leaving hundreds of jobs at risk

Hong Kong flag carrier to shut its pilot base in Canada, and those in Australia and New Zealand may also face the axe.

www.scmp.com

 

[QF029]

I'd recommend that you take JL via HND instead. It runs twice per week and most days have U class available.

I'd be very happy taking JAL. I have Aadvantage miles but can't see any J availability out of MEL or SYD. Worst case I'll pay $800 for Y and they let you take 2*23kg.

 

[prozac]

I'd be very happy taking JAL. I have Aadvantage miles but can't see any J availability out of MEL or SYD. Worst case I'll pay $800 for Y and they let you take 2*23kg.

I posted last week on your behalf availability on JAL. See 4 posts up.
Here's another screenshot off Asia Miles.

 

[henrus]

I posted last week on your behalf availability on JAL. See 4 posts up.
Here's another screenshot off Asia Miles.

That ticket is not possible.

It's no longer possible to transit between NRT and HND unless you would normally be allowed entry into Japan (only Japanese citizens or residents). Japan has banned most foreign nationals from entering which makes the NRT/HND transit impossible.

Australian's aren't specifically on the ban list however they have completely removed the visa exemption program so you could try and apply for a Japanese visa long enough to allow the transit but I don't think that would be granted.

 

[prozac]

That ticket is not possible.

It's no longer possible to transit between NRT and HND unless you would normally be allowed entry into Japan (only Japanese citizens or residents). Japan has banned most foreign nationals from entering which makes the NRT/HND transit impossible.

Australian's aren't specifically on the ban list however they have completely removed the visa exemption program so you could try and apply for a Japanese visa long enough to allow the transit but I don't think that would be granted.

Maybe not, but my earlier post did not involve a transfer. The point of posting was to show that there is availability without searching too hard.
QF029 just needs to heed your advice regards transfers.

 

[PineappleSkip]

Cathay closed its Australian Pilot base in early June, and pilots had to relocate to Hong Kong to avoid redundancy, although not sure how much work they were going to get if they did so.

In today's update to that story it seems any pilot who tried to relocate to HK got their visas rejected. This included those trying to relocate from other counties.

Cheers skip

 

[focusedbear]

Cathay closed its Australian Pilot base in early June, and pilots had to relocate to Hong Kong to avoid redundancy, although not sure how much work they were going to get if they did so.

In today's update to that story it seems anyone who tried to relocate to HK got their visas rejected. This included those trying to relocate from other counties.

Cheers skip

It's awful but not surprising.

I have read stories of HK Immigration Department not renewing the visas of English teachers because there are unemployed locals with the same skills, implying approval is dependent on the industry (though the situation may have changed).

Still, it is no fun to lose your job or to pack your life up because of a lengthy yet temporary pandemic.

 

[Chicken]

"earlier this month the airline confirmed its London hub would close"

So Hong Kong has a lot of business relationships with the UK due to historical business relationships, but now, even CX is giving up. So what's there for CX (or Hong Kong) to live off? The whole China Bay area plan and follow the path of HSBC?

 

[kamchatsky]

"earlier this month the airline confirmed its London hub would close"

So Hong Kong has a lot of business relationships with the UK due to historical business relationships, but now, even CX is giving up. So what's there for CX (or Hong Kong) to live off? The whole China Bay area plan and follow the path of HSBC?

CX doesn't really have a choice. HK is changed forever, and I can see fewer flights to UK and Australia, as the world sees HK of less importance in commerce and tourism.

 

[tomlee1986]

CX doesn't really have a choice. HK is changed forever, and I can see fewer flights to UK and Australia, as the world sees HK of less importance in commerce and tourism.

Totally agreed... and I hate to say this but I will be glad when this airline goes bust for my own reasons (political) which I wont disclose here

 

[Robert K]

so sad I will miss their consistent service and fabulous lounges. If only I had known the last time I visited was going to be the last time ever...

 

[Chicken]

Totally agreed... and I hate to say this but I will be glad when this airline goes bust for my own reasons (political)

I also have a similar feeling; but I also ask myself: what could CX have done? They are the flag carrier for Hong Kong, so they have nowhere to go other than saying yes to the Communist Party (it's not like they could stick a union jack sticker onto the planes, then stick their middle finger up at Hong Kong government), and worse, they are owned by Swire which is a UK company and is viewed suspiciously by China, so they are effectively stuck in a dead end. Unlike, say HSBC ......

 

[tomlee1986]

I also have a similar feeling; but I also ask myself: what could CX have done? They are the flag carrier for Hong Kong, so they have nowhere to go other than saying yes to the Communist Party (it's not like they could stick a union jack sticker onto the planes, then stick their middle finger up at Hong Kong government), and worse, they are owned by Swire which is a UK company and is viewed suspiciously by China, so they are effectively stuck in a dead end. Unlike, say HSBC ......

Not saying they could do anything but the way they treated the staff who held different political views from the government was appalling

 

[focusedbear]

Brace yourself...

https://twitter.com/x/status/1460413035906879492