Cathay Pacific Asia Miles - No more F to SYD

I am starting this thread with new title because the situation has changed since an old threead. CX is unexpectedly not offering F class to SYD anymore. All A330 to SYD are now 2-class (new C), and all A333 to MEL are 3-class. Initially, both destinations had a mixture of those. The move was made recently and unexpectedly. The 2008/2009 winter schedule has not been adjusted yet, but does anyone know if F class removal from SYD is permanent. We hold F class tickets between SYD and Europe, so a bit unhappy.

Extremely surprising that the change has happened so quickly. If Qantas can offer an F product SYD-HKG, surely CX could on one flight a day aswell.

Looks like SYD is really being hit: no more F on TG, no more F on CX, BA rumours of SYD getting the axe alltogether soon ...

I have an unused segment on an SYD-JFK First Class ticket from HKG to SYD I brought the situation to the attention of CX in HKG and SYD and was told I could fly in J with no compensation or they would refund the taxes on the flight take it or leave it. Ticket expires on August 16th and my attempts to get some kind of compensation out of them for this have not been responded to? What should I do? It seems unbelievable that they shouldn't have to provide some kind of compensation for this downgrade???

It does seem unbelievable. It should be possible to sue them for not delivering the product that was purchased.

Contract of carriage?

10.2.4
If we are unable to provide confirmed space, we shall provide compensation to those Passengers who are denied boarding or who are involuntarily downgraded to the class below in accordance with applicable law and our denied boarding/involuntary downgrading compensation policy, which is available upon request from our Manager Customer Relations, Customer Relations Department, Cathay Pacific Airways, Hong Kong.

From http://downloads.cathaypacific.com/cx/misc/conditionsofcarriage.pdf

Although they clearly state:
3.3.5
Each Flight Coupon contained in your Ticket will be accepted for transportation in the class of service on the date and flight for which space has been reserved. When a Ticket is originally issued without a reservation being specified, space may be later reserved subject to our Tariff and the availability of space on the flight requested.

and
6.8.1 Onward or return reservations may be subject to the requirement to reconfirm the reservation within specified time limits. We will advise you when we require reconfirmation, and how and where it should be done. If it is required and you fail to reconfirm, we may cancel your onward or return reservations. However, if you advise us you still wish to travel, and there is space on the flight in the class of service for which the fare has been paid, we will reinstate your reservations and transport you to your next or final destination. If there is no space available on the flight in the class of service for which the fare has been paid, we will use reasonable efforts to transport you to your next or final destination.

You might argue with them about a technicality, the meaning of 'space'.
"no space available on the flight in the class of service " clearly and only refer to flights were the class exists, but no seats are vacant/available.

They clearly do not refer to the case where a class does not exist altogether: otherwise they would have said:

If there is no space available on the flight in the class of service for which the fare has been paid, or if the class of service, for which the fare has been paid, is not offered, we will etc.

Best bet, write to their CR manager, and good luck :)

Do you all think that MEL will also be downgraded to two class aircraft, or do you think they will keep at least a flight per day on the three class 333s?

My understanding is that all the 333s will eventually be converted to 33Bs (new long haul business but no First). So it really depends on when that happens, and whether CX starts sending 747s to SYD/MEL again after N America becomes served entirely by 77Ws.

MEL is now scheduled with the "old" 333 on all flights, meaning F class. But christep is probably right and the future is open. Meanwhile, and for the next few months, MEL has F on all flights while SYD has only new J. But who knows.
Personally, I have the same problem as JFKHKGSYD and got the same answer from CX. Of course this is not a full fare ticket so I cannot reroute on another airline with F class.

MEL is now scheduled with the "old" 333 on all flights, meaning F class. But christep is probably right and the future is open. Meanwhile, and for the next few months, MEL has F on all flights while SYD has only new J. But who knows.
Personally, I have the same problem as JFKHKGSYD and got the same answer from CX. Of course this is not a full fare ticket so I cannot reroute on another airline with F class.


If you are really desperate for F Class you can ask CX whether you can reroute to MEL then? I do think MEL will be changed to the 33B in the not distant future.

Otherwise just get the compensation and stick with J on this sector.

I was walking by the CS check in counter in SYD yesterday, and they still have a first class check in line...must be for elite status?

I was walking by the CS check in counter in SYD yesterday, and they still have a first class check in line...must be for elite status?

For a while they didn't have a F desk in SYD. They put it back - there must have been complaints, and also for those connecting to F in HKG to LHR.

For a while they didn't have a F desk in SYD. They put it back - there must have been complaints, and also for those connecting to F in HKG to LHR.

I think it is more of a DYKWIA thing rather than a real need for this as I recall there are normally 2 J Class counters and 1 MPO counter. I never have to wait more than 5 minutes to get to a counter (even when F was not available).

But I guess they have the sign and the staff there so it doesn't really cost anything and they can still retain the perceived exclusiveness to the checkin experience:D

Also they normally assign the more senior CSO to the desk in F and J.

Checking through CX's schedules, it seems that they will bring back first class to Sydney on flights 161 ex HKG and 162 ex SYD and are operated by 333 aircraft.

161/162 currently have F.

What dates are you looking at? From AUG I think is when F finishes.

Flights 161/162 don't have F in July, August, September and October, as they are operated with 330 aircraft (instead of 333 service with F cabin, which is resumed in November).

Flights 161/162 don't have F in July, August, September and October, as they are operated with 330 aircraft (instead of 333 service with F cabin, which is resumed in November).

Actually 33B, not 330, as per CX's own scheds on their website. But two-class all the same.