Cathay Pacific Asia Miles - Air China lounge access in HKG

Hi, I'm kind of new to this forum, Cathay Pacific's more specificaly. I just have a few quick questions about a flight from HKG-PEK in June.

I did a search, but nothing turned up.

Does CX (Cathay Pacific)/KA (Dragonair)/CA (Air China) offer F and J or just J or just F?

I am wondering if I purchased a codeshare flight from HKG-PEK in F/J on Air China, would I get access to CX's world famous HKG lounge(s)? If so, which one?

Also, how many guests can you bring into the lounge on a full fare F/J? I am planning on buying a full fare 2 for 1 ticket in F/J through my Amex platinum card.

UAL747fan (Obviously I do not fly CX very often!)

can you do 2-for-1 via Amex Plat on a codeshare ? I thought you'll just be able to get a CA-code CA-operated ticket...

CX has been reducing the number of flights to PEK. I am not sure whether they still have it or will still have it by June. KA has been picking up the PEK routes from CX. If you need flexibility, KA will be better than CX (if CX still flies PEK). I have been flying HKG-PEK on KA only for more than a year because I have a habit of trying to get on an earlier return flight (PEK-HKG) when I get to the PEK airport. The last PEK-HKG flight I took on CX was a passenger/DHL flight that does not exist anymore.

KA has F on most flights, while CA has only J (or C) on most.

can you do 2-for-1 via Amex Plat on a codeshare ? I thought you'll just be able to get a CA-code CA-operated ticket...

I think if Amex booked it using the CX flight number (6890 if Im not mistaken) it should be fine. Ill call Amex tomorrow to double check.

CX has been reducing the number of flights to PEK. I am not sure whether they still have it or will still have it by June. KA has been picking up the PEK routes from CX. If you need flexibility, KA will be better than CX (if CX still flies PEK). I have been flying HKG-PEK on KA only for more than a year because I have a habit of trying to get on an earlier return flight (PEK-HKG) when I get to the PEK airport. The last PEK-HKG flight I took on CX was a passenger/DHL flight that does not exist anymore.

KA has F on most flights, while CA has only J (or C) on most.

Yeah, it looks like CX only has one flight in June that operates as CX the rest are either KA or CA codeshares.

How is KA's F on this leg?

Yeah, it looks like CX only has one flight in June that operates as CX the rest are either KA or CA codeshares.

How is KA's F on this leg?

KA F on the PEK route is nothing exciting.

Dragonair only puts First Class on a few A330s. It is nothing to write home about :D.

Air China has their own lounge in HKG, so I don't know if you'd be able to enter CX/KA's lounge.

However, if you are allowed into the CX/KA's lounge, you would be allowed to enter all three of them:

- CX The Pier F/J Lounge (Gate 2)
- CX The Wing F/J Lounge (Gate 62)
- KA Lounge (Gate 16)

Dragonair only puts First Class on a few A330s. It is nothing to write home about :D.

Air China has their own lounge in HKG, so I don't know if you'd be able to enter CX/KA's lounge.

However, if you are allowed into the CX/KA's lounge, you would be allowed to enter all three of them:

- CX The Pier F/J Lounge (Gate 2)
- CX The Wing F/J Lounge (Gate 62)
- KA Lounge (Gate 16)

Thanks, do you know how many guests are allowed into the lounges on a full fare F ticket? I am guessing 1 per ticket if any?

Thanks for all your replies!

Thanks, do you know how many guests are allowed into the lounges on a full fare F ticket? I am guessing 1 per ticket if any?

Thanks for all your replies!

Yes, one guest who must also be departing on a OneWorld marketed and operated flight.

CA passengers are invited to the CNAC lounge.

To add on to my own post:

Since Air China is now a Star Alliance member, I don't know how the codeshare's going to work, but I begin to doubt lounge access to CX/KA.

If you have *Gold status, you might want to try the SQ, UA, TG lounges.
If you have SQ PPS/EG status, you might want to try the VS Clubhouse.
Not sure if CA's F BP would grant you entry.

Yes, one guest who must also be departing on a OneWorld marketed and operated flight.

Thanks a lot! Last 2 questions, does a KA flight count as a oneworld operated and marketed? If I book using the CX codeshare flight number, does it make a difference as opposed to booking a KA flight.



To add on to my own post:

Since Air China is now a Star Alliance member, I don't know how the codeshare's going to work, but I begin to doubt lounge access to CX/KA.

If you have *Gold status, you might want to try the SQ, UA, TG lounges.
If you have SQ PPS/EG status, you might want to try the VS Clubhouse.
Not sure if CA's F BP would grant you entry.

Well, what I did was go onto the oneworld website and did the "View oneworld Alliance Flights" thing, and it came up with the all CX flights, with a little "i" next to the ones operated by CA and KA.


Thanks for your all help!

does a KA flight count as a oneworld operated and marketed? If I book using the CX codeshare flight number, does it make a difference as opposed to booking a KA flight.Yes, no.

Dragonair (KA) belongs to Cathay Pacific (CX). Therefore KA is an affiliate member of the oneworld Alliance.

Dragonair and Cathay Pacific has also merged their frequent flyer clubs. Both airlines recognizes Asia Miles and Marco Polo Status.

oneworld Airline Affiliates

In late 2006, Cathay Pacific acquired a 100 per cent holding in Dragonair, the Hong Kong-based carrier which is the biggest airline serving mainland China based outside the mainland and a regular winner of awards as the best airline serving the mainland. Dragonair has joined oneworld as an affiliate to Cathay Pacific on 1 November, 2007.

Thanks a lot! Last 2 questions, does a KA flight count as a oneworld operated and marketed?
KA flight #/KA metal and CA flight #/KA metal are OW operated and marketed. KA/CA or CA/KA codeshares are not.

If I book using the CX codeshare flight number, does it make a difference as opposed to booking a KA flight.
In general, no difference on CX/KA codeshares. However, codeshares offer less flexibility in case you need to change your flight. Due to cost/revenue/liability sharing, it is possible that you are only allowed to change to another codeshare flight. I do not know if that is the case for CX/KA codeshares.

I think if Amex booked it using the CX flight number (6890 if Im not mistaken) it should be fine. Ill call Amex tomorrow to double check.

I actually doubt if this would work...I guess Amex had the deal with CA to offer these cheap fares, but if it's the CX flight number (but CA metal), this would mean CX being the "marketing / selling" company, i.e. I expect CA would sell CA flight numbers while CX would sell CX flight numbers (unless full fare maybe).

but if you're thinking about CA flight numbers and yet CX metal, I also doubt if CA is willing to offer this to Amex as in this case I guess CX is getting the bulk of the revenue and CA wouldn't really have a high margin in this case to give in order to offer 2-for-1...

but sure, pls let us know after you have found out more...thanks !!

KA flight #/KA metal and CA flight #/KA metal are OW operated and marketed. KA/CA or CA/KA codeshares are not.


In general, no difference on CX/KA codeshares. However, codeshares offer less flexibility in case you need to change your flight. Due to cost/revenue/liability sharing, it is possible that you are only allowed to change to another codeshare flight. I do not know if that is the case for CX/KA codeshares.

Many KA flights are now sold under CX as well (codeshare). This applies to most (if not all) flights to Pudong, Beijing, Chengdu.

CX has one flight a day to PEK. The four letter CX flight#s are codeshares. KA F is equivalent to the old longhaul CX J.

I am OW Sapphire from AA PLT.
I am going to have KA825 from CTU-HKG.
Since the "KA" lounge in CTU is CA's lounge, do I have the access?

There is one CX flight a day HKG-PEK, it leaves at like 5:20 or 5:30. The rest are KA. It makes absolutely zero difference KA vs. CX - when they cancel the CX they put you on KA, if a KA flight then cancels you get put on CX, for all intensive purposes it is exactly the same thing. Just better looking FAs on KA and in my opinion more consistent standards of service (on KA). Usually operated by A330 but once a day KA runs an EQV, which ends up being their A321. About half the A330s have PTVs, the rest don't and neither does the small plane.

KA F is equivalent to the CX (old) longhaul J. KA J or CX J are almost interchangeable, they're just a standard regional J. Slightly wider seat as the UA J seat on the PS service, but not as much legroom. Many (or most) of the KA flights HKG-PEK daily are 3-class service.

And not to forget that any flight to PEK and PVG apart from early morning departures can be seriously delayed or cancelled. Main reason, it seems, is the Chinese Air Force demanding "protection money" iin exchange for keeping the airspace open. Of course, weather delays are also frequent in a big and geographically varied country.