CX's proposed schedule seems to be better timed for business travelers. 620pm departure from HKG vs. 1025am on UA would allow business travelers to have a few extra hours in the work day in HKG.

On the reverse CX's 1:20am / 1:50am departure from EWR allows them to land at HKG at 5:40am / 6am which allows for a full day of work in HKG (and a full day of work in NYC) as opposed to UA's 3pm departure which lands in the evening at HKG and cuts into the day of work in NYC.

Wonder if UA will alter their times in response (assuming CX gets regulatory approval)

EDIT: Timing of flights was flipped as pointed out by golfingboy, edited to reflect