Lately I have had problems getting US-HKG-xxx ticketed when i am positive there is space (BA shows it for starters, but in one case i confirmed by calling AS where i also have miles). On this most recent call, the AA agent said she had to “call the helpdesk”. When i asked what they did, she said they “put the second segment in and it showed availability.” Not sure what this means, but i had done HUCA several times and nobody at AA was seeing availability for the hkg-xxx segment, alone of combined with the ex-US segment.

On this latest call i also ascertained that the hkg-xxx segment was not available alone and so my suspicion is that the agents are not putting the two
segments together and looking for availability (which is there when segments are married). Instead, they are grabbing US-hkg and then separately looking for hkg-xxx. Who knows but I’m happy to report that I have landed several tickets by asking the initial agent to keep looking (and then sitting on hold while they make a call).

Also, for all the concern about availability challenges due to the NYE sale, I have found lots of business class seats available and even opening way below the normal 330ish day range where AA can book. Maybe those are redeposits, but whatever, it’s great to have 4 biz seats pop up for next Nov out of my home airport!