Take the train for most people at east coast huh... you're not from USA are you?

As a Jersey guy who stumbled on this thread (and is on CX JFK-HKG in Nov) I can tell you getting the train to JFK, for me, is a real pain. This means New Jersey Transit from Trenton to New York Penn Station, which is 90 min. Then the AirTrain which takes forever from there to JFK. Then you have to get there 2ish hours early.

40 minute train to EWR. Done.

You forgot the LIRR from NY Penn station to Jamaica station before getting on the AirTrain to JFK.

I know lots of people who travel from the greater WAS area to either EWR or JFK (via NY Penn Station and either New York Airport Service or Metro / AirTrain) to take FLTs to Asia.

Indeed. Point is, it's a mess.

Those "lots of people" have good company to pay for them. Because train from WAS to NYC is easily $80-100 USD one-way, more if you want to take the Acela. Then from Penn Station to JFK if you do AirTrain it's another good 1 hour at least.

So let's see, you need to be at JFK at least 2 hours early, one hour AirTrain from Penn Station to JFK, and another good 3-4 hours from WAS area to NYC. So to board a flight, people in WAS need to budget 7 hours before actual departure time.

Not good...

For me it's more likely that CX opens a second London port than expanding into EWR. At least at LGW they can connect to the BA flights there.
Other US ports than EWR seem more likely to me right now.

Well, you can take the "A" Train to JFK, although that would be a bigger mess (tried that once, took a good 1.5 hours when you factor in the wait time, horrific.)

I don't want to judge people on this forum, but it is kind of funny to hear them make comments about Greater New York area and how "easy" it is to get to JFK, when people like us living in this area for decades know full well what a horrific experience it can be, especially if you are traveling with more than one luggage.

Yep, I've come to realized EWR will be a dream but no reality. CX are more interested in other ports like DFW, or adding capacity at JFK. EWR is too big an unnecessary risk when things are so good at JFK.

I agree. Had flied 3+ EVA EWR-TPE for 10+ years and definitely will jump to CX if CX enter EWR with daily flight to HKG. It really take me 2 extra hours to JFK if I hire taxi and will take extra 4+ hours if I take EVA's free shuttle to JFK after Oct 31. (Not to mention stress suffer..) Eva shuttle will pick up on 5:15PM at NJ Asian market for 11:50PM flight which is 7 hours before the departure. It is a torture before a long haul flight.

I am one of my 10+ friends (live in NJ)that will choose CX if they enter EWR even I need to have HK connection to TPE . EWR departure means a lot for NJ residents. If CX can not do it, most of us will choose CO which provide various daily flights to Asia. The major reason is EWR departure.

The problem is that an EWR flight would be just for local residents. I don't know what demand is like, but could that support a daily flight to HKG when there are 4 daily flights next door?

It would be great if CX could do EWR, perhaps even convert CX888/CX889 to HKG-YVR-EWR-YVR-HKG.... and add a direct flight to replace that at JFK. But perhaps that would be too much capacity to HKG?

CX can only get Oneworld connection of usefulness from EWR to: DFW (Its better to fly via LAX) and MIA. Thats why they currently fly to JFK for all the AA connections.

this sounds like saying everyone in the UK will catch a train to LHR to if they want to fly on London "Speedbird" Airways. Or think a T5-T3 transfer is a breeze.

it doesnt matter since CX codeshares with AF/KLM/LH for people to catch the respective CX flights to HKG!

really? have you experienced going to LGW(from London, which is further away from London), or know of a connection that does not exist in LHR/CDG(via train) and would bring financial benefits?
I think the only time i went to LGW by car was because it was the only flight that wouldnt break my bank going to PSA and i was getting off at LHR (and got to my friend's place to drop off sth).
it felt like i've gone through 5 of brixtons and clapham before reaching the A3...

Do they still have the buses from Grand Central (across the street from the south entrance) direct to JFK and LGA?


Actually, I've done it numerous times and don't mind at all. Find it quite easy. I always do it landside.

it would make sense to have at least one flight to LGW and tap the substantial network of second tier/leisure cities BA has there. Anything that may avoid passing through the congested and dysfunctional euro hubs is welcome to me.

Yes, they still there. There is also bus services at Port Authority & Penn Station to take you to the various airports.

Whenever I travel light, I try to take public transportation to JFK and it is very easy & convenient for me (better & much cheaper than driving or taking a taxi). Getting caught in traffic on the way to any of the area airports is no joke.

It usually takes me about 1 hours via public transportation to get to JFK, sometimes less & sometimes more - that is coming from the upper Bronx (2 trains & Air train/bus).