absolutely no clue. The OP is saying he flew AA from HKG-ORD on a flight that doesn't exist.

My *guess* is, the OP means he flew MNL-HKG-ORD on CX, and then ORD-final destination on AA. Otherwise the post makes absolutely no sense.

I'm also a little confused by the archaic lounge comment in MNL, because CX has a lovely new(ish) lounge there. Maybe this post is intended for something that happened a few years ago? I can't remember precisely when the new CX MNL lounge opened, but it wasn't 2017 and it might've been even before 2016. The olllld lounge in MNL was indeed an absolute dump but I have no idea why something from years ago is relevant today. Years ago, Pan Am used to exist and service on the US mainline airlines was actually nice! But that was.....years ago. Now we're all just worried about getting screamed at for being a security threat, and don't even think about hitting the call light...unless you're interested in a tour of Guantanamo.

But hey to each their own. The OP can fly AA (...just not to ORD from HKG, because again that flight doesn't exist) and I'll take CX. Something for everyone.