Cathay Pacific Asia Miles - CX888: HKG-YVRx-JFK

I never done the CX888 all at once (I usually stop in YVR)

Just wondering what is the procedure.
Do they ask all pax to get out and all those who goto JFK will remain in a holding area (with refreshments served?)
or Must stay in the Aircraft?


Also is it possible just to clear immigration and then head back up to Dept level (to use the lounge, and then Board the aircraft?)

I seem to recall they hand out these TRANSIT pass for the pax going to JFK (as they don't have the YVR-JFK Boarding Pass)

I never done the CX888 all at once (I usually stop in YVR)

Just wondering what is the procedure.
Do they ask all pax to get out and all those who goto JFK will remain in a holding area (with refreshments served?)
or Must stay in the Aircraft?


Also is it possible just to clear immigration and then head back up to Dept level (to use the lounge, and then Board the aircraft?)

I seem to recall they hand out these TRANSIT pass for the pax going to JFK (as they don't have the YVR-JFK Boarding Pass)
When I did it in February, all passengers had to gather all belongings to disembark to a secure "lounge", actually an old, segregated, walled-off, gate area. It was nothing plush. Two bathrooms at one end, phone booths at the others, with hard plastic gate seating in between. The "refreshments" consisted of a couple cases of warm, bottled water. The floor-to-ceiling windows into the terminal teased with views of the food counters and shops. There was no exit whatsoever. The whole process took a little over an hour, as I recall. We couldn't wait to get back to our J seats.

Please don't blame CX or Canada for this strict requirement.

US INS wants all passengres bound for NYC to stay in the holding area. You must exit aircraft and take all belongings with you. A security check will be done on board, and any remaining items left on plane will be removed.

No, you CANNOT exit to Vancouver in the hopes of getting to the CX Lounge. You will not have time! Besides the CX lounge is under renovation anyway.

BTW, do remember that effective 1st October, all passengers (except Canadians) arriving into the US must now have their finger prints and photograph taken. Be prepared for a long wait at JFK T7 when CX arrives in between 2 BA 747-400 flights!

The "refreshments" consisted of a couple cases of warm, bottled water.

They added coffee and tea now! :D
Also, the bottled water are cold now! ^

They added coffee and tea now! :D
Also, the bottled water are cold now! ^

That's a step in the right direction! I certainly didn't want to leave the impression that the YVR accommodation rules were CX's doing...it's just completely opposite of the remainder of the CX J experience!

Do HKG-YVR-JFK passengers (including F) still have to go to the holding lounge?

Do HKG-YVR-JFK passengers (including F) still have to go to the holding lounge?

Yes.

Blame the US INS for that.

Yes, all passengers regarding of class, stay in the "transit lounge" for like 1.5-2 hours. They have limited amounts of snacks and drinks (last time I flew, they had dunkin donuts), but there are some vending machines and paid phones available too. but the good thing is that transit passengers can board before the regular passengers.