KA doesn't have any planes which can do HNL, the A333 would have to be weight restricted from HNL. Of course, something crazy could happen and CX could give KA some A350s.

I wonder if it's related to GUM? Both HK Express and United Airlines serve GUM out of HKG. That's in range of all KA's planes. UO launched Guam in December of last year, one month before KA/CX made this application. Before UO, United had a monopoly on the route. They serve it a few days per week.

I don't know if DOT regulations apply to GUM, but I'm guessing so given it's a US territory.

[See my update at last post]