ARCHIVE: LAX-HKG w/ 77W announced, starting 7 September 2016
Mar 8, 2016, 4:21 pm
#46
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As I'm sure you know, the LAX departure time is driven by one nearly uncontrollable factor: the landing slot times AA is able to obtain at HKG. It's unfortunate that they didn't build six runways when they constructed that airport.
IIRC, the announcement of LAX-HKG was delayed multiple times due to HKG timing issues.
IIRC, the announcement of LAX-HKG was delayed multiple times due to HKG timing issues.
Mar 8, 2016, 4:39 pm
#47
Join Date: Nov 2009
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As an AA f/a, I don't think so. When there are flights from multiple U.S. stations (i.e., more than 1), the company likes to group them together wherever possible for both arrivals at and departures from International stations. That way they need a minimum of ground personnel to work all the flights--in one shift or less if possible.
DFW-HKG departs DFW at 11:30am (a civilized time, don't you think?). It arrives in HKG at 6:35pm the following day.
HKG-DFW departs HKG at 1:40pm arriving in DFW at 2:20pm same day.
If possible (slots available, etc.), I think you will see similar departure and arrival times (on the HKG end) on the LAX-HKG route. Now, your homework is to figure out LAX departure and arrival times working with that pesky International Dateline. Personally, it makes my head hurt just to think about it.
DFW-HKG departs DFW at 11:30am (a civilized time, don't you think?). It arrives in HKG at 6:35pm the following day.
HKG-DFW departs HKG at 1:40pm arriving in DFW at 2:20pm same day.
If possible (slots available, etc.), I think you will see similar departure and arrival times (on the HKG end) on the LAX-HKG route. Now, your homework is to figure out LAX departure and arrival times working with that pesky International Dateline. Personally, it makes my head hurt just to think about it.
Mar 8, 2016, 4:45 pm
#48
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Mar 8, 2016, 4:54 pm
#49
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As an AA f/a, I don't think so. When there are flights from multiple U.S. stations (i.e., more than 1), the company likes to group them together wherever possible for both arrivals at and departures from International stations. That way they need a minimum of ground personnel to work all the flights--in one shift or less if possible.
If possible (slots available, etc.), I think you will see similar departure and arrival times (on the HKG end) on the LAX-HKG route. Now, your homework is to figure out LAX departure and arrival times working with that pesky International Dateline. Personally, it makes my head hurt just to think about it.
If possible (slots available, etc.), I think you will see similar departure and arrival times (on the HKG end) on the LAX-HKG route. Now, your homework is to figure out LAX departure and arrival times working with that pesky International Dateline. Personally, it makes my head hurt just to think about it.
Mar 8, 2016, 5:49 pm
#50
Join Date: Sep 2011
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Well, that LAX departure time is good for traffic.
Mar 8, 2016, 6:20 pm
#51
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: ORD [formerly] + HKG
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The timing both ways are excellent and complement existing services well! Can't wait for this route to start running 
Mar 8, 2016, 6:20 pm
#52
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Mar 8, 2016, 6:24 pm
#53
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Mar 8, 2016, 7:07 pm
#54
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Really liking the scheduled times on this. Might even convert me over from CX with the Internet. Use of a SWU from J>F always helps too. Hoping they up their game on catering as well.
Mar 8, 2016, 8:21 pm
#55
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 586
Looks like this opens for booking on the 20th, any speculation on award availability out of the gate? I'm currently going DFW-PEK-HKG on AA/CX on a business award and I think I would rather go DFW-LAX-HKG. Obviously DFW-HKG would be ideal but I'm not holding my breath on that one.
Last edited by tys90; Mar 8, 2016 at 8:55 pm
Mar 8, 2016, 8:44 pm
#56
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Ya'know, if I were to speculate (and that's most definitely all it would be, sheer speculation,) I'd bet there will be more, earlier and easier award inventory than when DFW-HKG first started. Now that's in some ways saying very little-- almost anything would be easier than DFW-HKG was out of the gate, but, FWIW, I bet-- especially with SYD having been added since that time, etc-- and with all those CX HKG flights, etc-- that this will be noticeably easier over time.
Mar 8, 2016, 9:18 pm
#57
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Lol at all the service optimism. AA is no CX. It's a decent hard product with everything else being mediocre at best. AA only upped their soft product on the SYD route because QF told them that they had to. Don't expect the same here.
There's no way I'd pay for J ticket on AA. Now using a SWU on the other hand is a different story.
There's no way I'd pay for J ticket on AA. Now using a SWU on the other hand is a different story.
Mar 8, 2016, 9:24 pm
#58
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Agree largely on the first part (AA is no CX and crappy AA soft product, etc)-- although I don't see the "service optimism" you're "LOL"ing in this thread, perhaps I missed it. The second part-- "what to expect" compared to the AA SYD premium cabin service upgrades... we'll check back in on that.
Mar 8, 2016, 9:31 pm
#59
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Mar 8, 2016, 9:58 pm
#60
Join Date: May 2004
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CX's catering has been declining. AA's has been improving. AA also has the advantage that it caters specifically for the American palette.
CX's amenity kits in J are disappointing. AA's new one is better.
CX's inflight service is more attentive. AA's is often perfunctory.
CX's and AA's grounds service at LAX is about the same. Obviously, Cathay has the advantage at HKG.
(My partner flew this route 8 times last year and 3 times already this year, all in J class. In his opinion, one isn't clearly better than the other.)