CX and Hurricane Sandy
 

Hi All,

My parents are flying back from SGN to JFK via HKG on Monday in First Class. They are on the CX 840 for the HKG-JFK leg, which is scheduled to arrive at JFK at 8:15 PM.

There is a pretty serious hurricane moving up the Eastern United States and it is expected to severely impacting the NY metro area by Monday evening. It is entirely possible, if not likely, that JFK and EWR will be closed to traffic beginning sometime on Monday through most of Tuesday (based on the storm surge predictions and JFK's location, flooding on the airfield cannot be ruled-out).

As of now, the flight is expected to operate normally. Does anyone know if CX is likely to cancel a flight if there is an expectation of the arrival airport being closed at the time of arrival (I expect JFK will be operational when the CX 840 is scheduled to depart HKG)? If they do operate the flight, does anyone know if there is a pre-selected diversion airport if the NYC airports are shut down? If this were to happen, how should F pax expect to be treated (put up in a hotel)?

Thanks!

I was scheduled on CX840 two summers ago when Irene hit NYC. CX canceled all flights leaving that day, so you could imagine the chaos. We were connecting from KUL; at check-in the station manager was extremely accommodating of our requests and, long story short, managed to get us onto CX840 the next day. We flew to HKG that day and spent the night there. I assume CX added extra flights to JFK over the following days in order to clear the backlog. FWIW, our party was two SLs in J (on a companion award ticket) and two AMs in Y, and all four of us got out the next day. The KUL station manager could not have dealt with us better; big thumbs up to her and the rest of the ground staff there for handling our complicated booking and being so understanding.

I was in the same situation last year during Hurricane Irene. CX F MNL-HKG-JFK.
All flights to JFK of my day of departure were cancelled. There was a notice not to board the MNL-HKG sector and in fact, not to try over the the next two days, due to the backlog in HKG. "Passengers headed to JFK will not be allowed to board MNL-HKG" or something like that. In short I was stranded. Since I'm from MNL, no need for hotel, but I had to cancel/shorten my NYC hotel stay -- they were understanding, no charges were made for nights not consumed. (No offer from CX to wait in HKG, or hotel in HKG.)

I would recommend giving details to local CX office. They were the ones who arranged for the next available flight, and kept calling/updating me. (CX MPO were useless as they were swamped.) It took about four to five days for things to get back to normal. I was accommodated on a special "extra" flight, three days after my scheduled flight. (Only me in F, so that was great.)

I would also recommend being ready to depart at any time they call. They kept saying "nothing available" then suddenly on the morning of the second day, they called and said, can you be at the airport in an hour?? We have an extra F seat in both MNL-HKG and HKG-JFK! Since I wasn't ready, I had to let it go.

Your experience may vary, of course. Are they DM? Maybe they'll be treated better if they insist? Doubt if they'd get extra hotel though as this falls under "an Act of God."

Good luck...

Thanks guys.

Parents have no status. Just F pax on AA award tickets.

CX has now cancelled the CX 830 on 10/29 and CX 888 on that day will only operate to YVR. As of now CX 840 is still scheduled, but I think it is only a matter of time until it gets cancelled.

Ideally, I would like for them to get to HKG and then figure it out from there, but it sounds like CX policy is to hold pax at their origin until they can get them all the way home.

We'll see.

Any reason why they can't divert to ORD if JFK closes and put people onto AA as needed?

Usually CX divert to YYZ if there is a problem in JFK whilst flight is enroute, although now that ORD is an online station flights can technically divert there too. YYZ is usually chosen as it has a much more similar flight path to JFK especially if polar route is being used.

I think however, ever since the JFK snow storm, CX now have a policy to preemptively cancel JFK flights rather than let them fly and require diversion/long time waiting on tarmac on arrival.

An example can be seen here, CX888 tonight is only going to YVR, and CX830 tomorrow (29th) is cancelled. I guess CX will make a decision tomorrow morning(29th) as to whether or not to cancel the CX840.

For CX it is very difficult to assess the situation in New York because they have to predict what the situation will be like 16 or so hours later when one of their flights is due to land. I think CX is partly choosing to cancel because New York transit is scheduled to close down Sunday night, meaning even if flights can land on Monday morning, there might not be any ground transportation.

Is it too late to reticket to ORD, and have AA add a ORDLGA segment (no extra miles required)? Or SFO?

American on 10/29
 

American has cancelled most of the flights out of JFK and LGA for 10/29. Looks like that if you want to do the ORD flight you better leave today.

With New York starting to close down, and ground transportation gradually unavailable form 7:00pm tonight, I wonder if there is a chance CX may have to divert the currently operating CX840 (arriving in 5h19mins) at about 8:20pm NY time.

If this happens, tonights CX889 JFK-YVR-HKG will get cancelled. Interesting to see what will happen.

Bloomberg has pretty much shut down the city at 7 p.m. tonight. If you don't have a ride, you are in trouble when you arrive to JFK as there will be absolutely no ground transportation. Taxi might not even be available because they are regulated by ground transportation personnel, who are going home at 7 p.m. You might get those unofficial taxis, but they might jack-up the price to take advantage of the situation. I feel sorry for the pax on that inbound CX flight that has no pick-up arranged...

Are you in NYC at the moment? Can I ask what weather situation looks and feels like at the moment? Im wondering if flights will still operate out of JFK tonight including CX889.

Contact
 

Is there any contact number for change of flight. I keep getting the office is closed.

I'm in NJ, closer to the storm right now than NYC. It's cloudy, that's it right now. Actually a nice fall day. Not windy, not too cold. Just...clouds.

UPDATE: CX840 on 29th October has been cancelled
 

CX have updated their cancellations for JFK to include CX840 on 29th Oct as cancelled.

http://www.cathaypacific.com/cpa/en_HK/specialupdates

Cancellations so far:

Sunday 28th Oct
No Cancellations yet, all flights operating normally, but the status of CX840 (arrives 20:20 local time) and the return CX889 that departs JFK at 11:00pm may be in question.

Monday 29th Oct
CX888 YVR-JFK (Flight operating to YVR only) CX889 JFK-YVR Cancelled (The Tues 30th YVR-HKG Sector still operating)
CX830 HKG-JFK and CX831 JFK-HKG
CX840 HKG-JFK and CX841 JFK-HKG

Tuesday 30th Oct
Pending, no cancellations yet, but depending on conditions, more cancellations could follow

Trying to work out an alternative.

My parents want to get to Hong Kong as scheduled and then be better positioned to figure it out from there. CX in HKG is not 24/7 and CX in the USA is not open on Sundays.

You should be calling American since they are on awards. Reroute via West Coast or Chicago. Why are you not on on hold with American? Good luck.

American will only be able to re-route them on a flight with award space. Cathay could re-route on any available flight.

****

That said, by some miracle, CX had two F award seats on the HKG-ORD flight on 10/30, so I was able to call AA and get them re-routed through ORD. They will fly as scheduled from SGN-HKG and then overnight in HKG, flying to ORD on 10/30. As of now, there is nothing into NYC until 10/31, so they have to overnight again in Chicago, but it is better than nothing and it is always possible that flights to NYC could open up earlier.

In any event, it is a good outcome for them, all things considered.

That's fabulous! This highlights a downside of alliances (and their supposed "seamless service"). During Irene, CX would NOT reroute me despite having issued travel waivers, due it was a BA award ticket. BA would not reroute since I had already taken the first segment of my trip (DPSHKG) and was already in HKG. As luck would have it, my HKGJFK was the first to operate after 9 consecutive cancellations, so I was ok.

CX have updated their cancellations for JFK to include CX840 on 29th Oct as cancelled. Latest update is at 05:20HKT

http://www.cathaypacific.com/cpa/en_HK/specialupdates

JFK Flight ops for Sun/Mon/Tues:

Sunday 28th Oct
No Cancellations all flights are operating as normal.

Monday 29th Oct
CX888 YVR-JFK Cancelled (Flight operating to YVR only)
CX830 HKG-JFK Cancelled
CX840 HKG-JFK Cancelled

CX845 JFK-HKG Currently scheduled to operate as normal, departure at 01:30am, but flight status may be in question.
CX831 JFK-HKG Cancelled
CX841 JFK-HKG Cancelled
CX889 JFK-YVR Cancelled (CX889 YVR-HKG on Tues 30th still operating)

Tuesday 30th Oct
Pending, no cancellations yet, but depending on conditions, more cancellations could follow

Just did SGN - HKG last night. People checking in next to me were in same position as your folks (e.g. their HKG-JFK flight cancelled) CX let them choose whether to fly SGN to HKG or to stay in SGN.

CX 889
 

Just checked in to CX 889 departing at 1:30 am. I was on standby as I was on flight 841 which was cancelled. They said they can accommodate all standby passengers here as many of the connecting flights have been cancelled. One flight alone from South American freed up 15 seats. Don't know how many more seats are left but they even keep me in PE which was a surprise.

Do you mean CX845 Departing JFK 01:30am Tonight?

I was on the 840 last night and we got on on time. Booked back on the 0130 Friday morning hope thngs are OK. By then.

NOT impressed with the way CX was handling stranded pax at JFK last night

CX have updated their cancellations for JFK to include cancellations on Tues as well. Latest update is at 21:30HKT

http://www.cathaypacific.com/cpa/en_HK/specialupdates

JFK Flight ops for Mon/Tues/Wed:

Monday 29th Oct
CX888 YVR-JFK Cancelled (Flight operating to YVR only)
CX830 HKG-JFK Cancelled
CX840 HKG-JFK Cancelled

CX845 JFK-HKG Operating
CX831 JFK-HKG Cancelled
CX841 JFK-HKG Cancelled
CX889 JFK-YVR Cancelled (CX889 YVR-HKG on Tues 30th still operating)

Tuesday 30th Oct
CX888 YVR-JFK Cancelled (Flight operating to YVR only)
CX830 HKG-JFK Cancelled
CX840 HKG-JFK Cancelled

CX831 JFK-HKG Cancelled
CX841 JFK-HKG Cancelled
CX889 JFK-YVR Cancelled (CX889 YVR-HKG on Wed 31st still operating)

Wednesday 31st Oct
No cancellations yet, but may happen soon and flights status are in question

The storm is projected to be right at New York Upstate area by Wednesday, even if it is significantly weaken it will still be a tropical storm. I don't see Wednesday's flights going anywhere....

Yes I am thinking the same thing. Im sure the CX888 YVR-JFK arriving into JFK on the 31st will get cancelled causing CX841 to get cancelled. CX830 and CX831 will also probably get cancelled on Wednesday too.

I guess CX will wait until last minute to make the decision, so they will probably decide tomorrow. At least they have people aware of the situation for now.

I'm on 889 on the 11/1, hoping for the best, expecting the worst. In F on BA award ticket. I've got a long drive to JFK, I think all I'm hoping for at this point is for them not to cancel at the last minute. But, in typical FT fashion, what kind of VDB compensation might I expect if I chose to delay my trip? I only need to get to SIN by 11/8 to position for an ex-RGN fare.

I'm also expecting JFK to be a zoo. For a weather update from Central NJ right now, there's a slight breeze and light rain at my house, slowly picking up.

CX 840 last night
 

Luckily I got into JFK last night on CX 840 as well. Since I am traveling with a pair of twins and a two years old, I was glad that we did not get diverted to Toronto. The landing was okay until the last moment and even my niece got little bit frightened.

I am scheduled to fly back to the West coast on Delta today (Monday pm) but that is not going to happen. However Delta was very accommodating thanks to my diamond status (that is why status matters) and I got a flight via Seattle tomorrow at 4pm. (Knock on wood)... Hotel is a bit tricky but Hampton inn at JFK is able to extend my stay for one more evening.

Looking out the window now at 12:25pm! Wind has gotten stronger... and I could hear the wind blowing. JFK is eerily quiet with no traffic. The Van Wyck has a few cars running around and all the nearby hotels are having delivery. The Chinese takeout place that I ordered last night told me that they will be opened today. I planned to order more food during lunch time and hopefully that will last me through the day. The lobby here was busy this morning with lots of people trying to check in and to extend their stays. The hotel is very accommodating and helping folks to find the few remaining rooms in the JFK area.

It is definitely rough out. So don't expect flights at all today and hopefully tomorrow things can resume in the early afternoon.

Carfield

Hopefully by the evening of November 1st, flights will be operating again and CX889 can depart. I think at this stage, the biggest problem will be you driving to JFK. That might be quite tricky.

Flights will not go anywhere tomorrow. The storm is predicted to hang around just to the west of NYC, west of JFK, and that is the eye of the storm. The storm itself is said to stretch at a radius of 1000 miles, so..... you better make advance booking with Hampton... with twins, I would do it now and not messed around...

That is going to be the biggest problem. NYC looks to be pummeled with flood, and knowing NYC "work quality", I suspect most major highways will have dangerous floods and pot holes, translation: nightmare traffic everywhere.

JFK is partially flooded and not expected to reopen until Wednesday evening.

I don't think anything will arrive earlier than the CX 888 on Thursday morning.

Road Warriors and Warrioretts...Good Luck and godspeed...

JFK Airport Officially Closed
 

CX have updated their cancellations for JFK to include cancellations on Wed as well. Latest update is at 17:40HKT

http://www.cathaypacific.com/cpa/en_HK/specialupdates

JFK Flight ops for /Tues/Wed/Thurs

Monday 29th Oct
CX888 YVR-JFK Cancelled (Flight operating to YVR only)
CX830 HKG-JFK Cancelled
CX840 HKG-JFK Cancelled

CX845 JFK-HKG Operated
CX831 JFK-HKG Cancelled
CX841 JFK-HKG Cancelled
CX889 JFK-YVR Cancelled (CX889 YVR-HKG on Tues 30th still operating)

Tuesday 30th Oct
CX888 YVR-JFK Cancelled (Flight operating to YVR only)
CX830 HKG-JFK Cancelled
CX840 HKG-JFK Cancelled
CX846 HKG-JFK Cancelled

CX831 JFK-HKG Cancelled
CX841 JFK-HKG Cancelled
CX889 JFK-YVR Cancelled (CX889 YVR-HKG on Wed 31st still operating)

Wednesday 31st Oct
CX888 YVR-JFK Cancelled (Flight operating to YVR only)
CX830 HKG-JFK Cancelled

CX845 JFK-HKG Cancelled
CX841 JFK-HKG Cancelled
CX831 JFK-HKG Cancelled

Thursday 1st November
No Cancellations yet, stay tuned

Any CX metal stuck on JFK tarmac?

Last CX flight out of JFK was the 845 at 1:30am Monday. No other CX planes on the ground.

Update
 

Parents made it safely to Chicago on the CX 806 today. They were supposed to fly to LGA tomorrow, but the airport will be closed tomorrow due to flooding. They are flying to BOS tonight and taking a car service to their home, about a 3 hour drive.

Is there any aircraft stuck at NYC airports?

No, as previously stated.

CX Plans to Resume JFK service on Thursday Nov 1
 

From the website: http://www.cathaypacific.com/cpa/en_HK/specialupdates

CATHAY PACIFIC PLANS TO RESUME NEW YORK SERVICE ON THURSDAY
Cathay Pacific Airways advises that it plans to resume its scheduled service to New York starting 1 November with the expected reopening of the John F Kennedy International Airport.


Details of flight cancellations on 30 and 31 October are as follows:

From Hong Kong to New York (JFK)
CX830 / 30Oct Cancelled
CX840 / 30Oct Cancelled
CX846 / 30Oct Cancelled
CX830 / 31Oct Cancelled
CX840 / 31Oct Cancelled

CX888 / 31Oct will operate between Hong Kong and Vancouver only, and its onward sector (CX888 / 30Oct) from Vancouver to New York (JFK) has been cancelled.

From New York (JFK) to Hong Kong
CX841 / 30Oct
CX831 / 30Oct
CX845 / 31Oct
CX841 / 31Oct
CX831 / 31Oct

CX889 / 30Oct and 31Oct departing from New York (JFK) to Vancouver have also been cancelled although the return sectors (CX889 / 31Oct and 1Nov) from Vancouver to Hong Kong will operate as scheduled.