Cathay Pacific Asia Miles - Need US Visa for CX828/829 for ANC stop?

I need to travel with my Thai co-worker to YYZ this weekend. I was just told by CX he needs a visa for the USA to take CX828 HKG-YYZ.

I thought this problem had been cleared up with the pax not deboarding in ANC or with a stop in YVR rather than ANC.

Since a USA Visa can take about 6 weeks, we will need to take the HKG-YYZ on AC since it is non-stop.

Why would CX route this flight to ANC now when it used to stop in YVR?

Why would CX route this flight to ANC now when it used to stop in YVR?I thought it always went via ANC?

i.e. the routings always were:
HKG-ANC-YYZ and
HKG-YVR-JFK


I totally agree that the visa issue is a pain though.

It did stop in YVR in 2003 - and into 2004 iirc. Bizarre that a visa is required despite the pax not having to disembark.

No.. actually, the visa issue has been resolved. CX has a special agreement with the US INS that it no longer requires its passengers to have US transit visas. Otherwise CX wouldn't have axed its stopover in YVR instead.

Ask your CX ticket office to double check with HKG headquarters.. I am very sure that that requirement has been changed.

GB-I just called Customer Service in Hong Kong for the 2nd time today about this and they told me again that everyone on this flight needs a USA visa because of the ANC stop.

If you have different information please let me know but this is what CX is reading from their computer.

It's a serious issue if CX doesn't have the correct information in their system and I certainly don't want to risk having my co-worker told he can't board.

Furthermore, AC is sold out during this time period in J class while CX has alot of seats. This, along with AC operating non-stop might explain the lower loads on CX.

GB-I just called Customer Service in Hong Kong for the 2nd time today about this and they told me again that everyone on this flight needs a USA visa because of the ANC stop.

If you have different information please let me know but this is what CX is reading from their computer.

It's a serious issue if CX doesn't have the correct information in their system and I certainly don't want to risk having my co-worker told he can't board.

Furthermore, AC is sold out during this time period in J class while CX has alot of seats. This, along with AC operating non-stop might explain the lower loads on CX.

I think it's typical bureaucracy... it will take some time for the new info to trickle down.

GB-I just called Customer Service in Hong Kong for the 2nd time today about this and they told me again that everyone on this flight needs a USA visa because of the ANC stop.

You might want to check with the US consulate directly. I had a similar problem when I first started flying HKG-YVR-JFK. CX (both US and HKG) adamantly told me that I needed a Canadian Transit visa for these flights (CX888/889). I contacted the Canadian Consulate directly and was told otherwise. I printed out the e-mail correspondence just in case, but the check-in agents never raised the issue.

No u don't need a US transit visa,i travel on the route 3-4 times a yr,and just flew to YYZ on 2/3. The plane stop at ANC and all pax remain on the flight,so u won't need us transit visa,they do crew change and refuel at ANC and go to YYZ after that.The same for the return flight cx829.

PS. I think it's cheaper for CX to stop at ANC than YVR,but it's pain with the plane land and u can't get off,it's a loooooooong flight (nonstop for pax at least ).

Thanks Ckbuns for your info. You are right, they "probably" won't ask for the US Visa at check-in (even though it states this in the computer).

CX should update the info that Customer Service Reps give out because my co-worker will now take AC on Sunday (Fri and Sat are full on AC) and pay about US$500 more for his ticket (AC is full, while CX has plenty of J class seats at a lower fare).

BTW - this is one of the few times I have seen CX having a lower price than a competitor. Maybe because of the 1 stop (HKG-ANC-YYZ).

BTW - this is one of the few times I have seen CX having a lower price than a competitor. Maybe because of the 1 stop (HKG-ANC-YYZ).AC almost exclusively charges full J on this route due to the A345 with new Executive-First seating that operates this non-stop route.

According to my source over at CathayTalk, who asked his source at HK Airport, this transit visa requirement has been waived.

I am sorry.. I don't know what else to tell you..

I'm a frequent flyer on the route CX828/829 for the past few years, and I'm sure a US visa is not necessary. I would have needed the visa with the passport I am holding, and I have travelled without one for all these years.

Thanks for everyone's help but no luck being able to book this flight with CX.

I called customer service +852 2747 5563 which used to have a live person answer. CX has disconnected this number so I was left to write a letter which likely won't be answered for several months.

I really don't know how other people on this forum were able to book this flight when CX wouldn't take a booking from me without a US visa. I guess if you book it online or through a travel agency you can do it.

This also answers the question why CX is not full on this route like Air Canada and also charges significantly less than Air Canada.

I wasn't looking forward to waking up in the middle of the night in Anchorage anyway so it works out better for me.

As usual, CX's service in the air is very good but if you have a problem on the ground or need to contact a real person, forget it.

Paisan: You can route with CX via YVR and then AC to YYZ to avoid the "problem" and the fare is less costly than direct to Toronto. Or use AC all the way to YYZ via YVR.

Paisan: You can route with CX via YVR and then AC to YYZ to avoid the "problem" and the fare is less costly than direct to Toronto. Or use AC all the way to YYZ via YVR.

Not when the origination is from BKK. It does cost more to fly via YVR than direct to YYZ.