346 to jfk
 

from an airbus press release (http://www.airbus.com/airbus4u/articles_detail.asp?ae_id=133)

In Hong Kong, Cathay Pacific Airways has put its first two A340-600s into service on its Hong Kong - New York route. Over the next few months it will operate the aircraft on a mix of routes between Hong Kong and the USA, Australia and Europe, and within the Asia Pacific region.

A sign of things to come?? 346 to jfk?

I checked CRS.
....
29MAR CX880 HKG/LAX 346
30MAR CX880 HKG/LAX 744

29MAR CX101 HKG/SYD 333
30MAR CX101 HKG/SYD 346
....

CX will have 3 aircraft by 3rd quarter of this year. Hardly sufficient to serve so many destinations all at the same time.

The 346 has enough range due to its low configuration to fly to JFK nonstop via the Polar route but so far, there has been no indication that CX is going to start the service anytime soon.

I think it may be best for CX to concentrate on competing head-on with AC on the HKG-YYZ route when the latter begins nonstop flights in both directions year round around the summer when they get their 2 A340-500s.

I think it would be great if they could get this going. Just a casual visual scan makes it appear to me that there are many people already flying the whole route every day (1/2 to 2/3 of a 747). This would indicate that there is some interest in this route-- of course, I'm sure CX has a much better idea of the prospects for this. Oh, one other thing-- I'd hope a new flight would arrive earlier at JFK-- as it is 888 arrives too late to make short connections to other east coast cities like Washington or Boston--this would make that CX/AA codeshare more meaningful.

from what i have read in other posts it IS possible to connect to the LAST bos flight after getting of the cx jfk flight.(if i knew how to post a link i would)

the ISM (head F/A, i.e.) told me on 2/3 that they have 2 new 346, and will use it to serve hkg-jfk

The link: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum85/HTML/001421.html

thanks ben

Whoops, I think you're right about Boston- connection is possible. I was actually looking at connections to Washington that day, and couldn't find anything. The closest was an American flight that leaves at 9:40 p.m. from JFK, but this is too tight for the 9:05 arrival of 888. Is it possible that since they are codesharing, they might juggle these times a bit?

hpoefully they'll better co-ordinate their
schedules soon. i think CX or AA really ought to fly to DFW/ORD. LAX/SFO/JFK aren't really AA hubs. some of these codeshare cities require you to fly from SFO/LAX/JFK to ORD/DFW and then transfer again...

On another slightly different topic...

Is there any chance that CX might consider using the AA terminal at airports such as JFK or LAX?

Oh God, no! I prefer CX lounges with BA than Admiral's Club by a looooooooooooooong shot!

CX pax have legitimate complaints when dealing with BA ground staff at JFK. Despite how bad BA ground staff can be, it is still better than dealing with AA ground staff at JFK!

Moreover, BA Terminal 7 was recently refurbished and is much nicer than the AA terminal. The Terraces Lounge beats the Admirals Club hands down.

As for LAX, the Admirals Club is nothing special. CX ground staff at LAX are wonderful and I'd rather check-in with CX than AA anyday!

[This message has been edited by Mr. Strong (edited 02-08-2003).]

Always dangerous to rely on the last connecting flight following a 12 hour long flight with Customs and Immigration.

You know, I completely agree with this! I rent a car and drive 685 -> $3.50 toll (rip-off at the bridge however) -> turns into Hutchinson River Pkwy -> to 287 (to avoid rip-off North 95 toll for no reason) -> 95 to Massachusetts. 3 hours last timed. Providence 95 stinks, but at night no traffic. Faster than the train and after a 12 hour flight....totally needed, especially for those in Southeastern MA....

IMHO the BA people are just plain NASTY - totally outrageous.

in my experience,
AA ground staff are not bad in general.
they are less helpful in LHR if we are CX passenger, but otherwise ok. not fantastic, but not bad either.

also, BA staff are good in general.
those at LHR T4 F check-in are especially good.
we are only complaining about those BA agents at JFK.

Are BA staff really bad at JFK? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

I generally agree with this statement - it is the JFK checkin staff that are the problem - also, once you get to the Concord room, everything is fine.

Absolutely horrible in terms of sheer indifference. No that they'll be mean to you just for fun (observed on another airlines/airport) but they simply don't seem to care about providing anything other than the bare minimum of service.

Never had a single good experience going through JFK check-in on either BA or CX.

On the contrary, I went to check-in about 5 hours prior to my CX flight to Vancouver at the end of Jan. There was one woman manning the CX counter. I was all ready for 'attitude' after reading horror posts here. But you know what? I had a hoot with her. We talked about the weather NYorkers had been having lately, etc etc.

So basically if you let your guard down and perhaps liven up a little, bad moods will turn to good moods!

So when CX begins 346 service from JFK to HKG will it stop in YVR as it does today? When will the 346 be used on this route?