Wondering if someone here has some theories on something I think it strange but maybe not so strange to the airlines.

I have flown what is no CX-865 maybe 15 times over the last 5 years, that is a flight from JFK to HKG with a stop in YVR. I though only take it to YVR and have done that each time. I was looking to fly this on Dec 2, I see there is no availability. Then I checked further and there was no availability from JFK to YVR on ANY day (in Dec 2018) for ANY class and that was even stranger. So I then check in Jan 2019, there is availability. So then I change my destination to HKG and the date I needed to fly (Dec 2) there is availability? So it seems like Cathay would be trying to fill more long haul passengers than folks like me getting off in YVR. I am then only guessing there are not enough folks buying tickets on the second leg (i.e. YVR to HKG). I called Cathay but the representative simply said my computer does not show availability. I don't think she was understanding my thinking that if there is room to fly to Hong Kong then there is room to only fly to Vancouver. Expert Flyer seems to indicate there are seats available in any cabin (I though am not a premium user to be able to search for actual availability)

So this posting / question is:
- anyone have suggestions on how to communicate this with Cathay, to see if they can open up 1 seat
- anyone else see something like this and was able to get anywhere?

Additional update:

I found this interesting a 1 way ticket JFK to HKG (coach) is $684.00 on Dec 2 2018. Compared to on Jan 6 or Jan 27 2019 (only 2 days I checked) JFK to YVR is $703. So its actually more expensive to fly well under 1/2 the distance. Financially Cathay is making more on the people flying only to Vancouver.

It wasn't just your computer showing no availability around Dec 2. My computer showed that too. It also showed no availability for one-way or round trip on EF. If I changed to JFK-HKG, it did show plenty of availability. It is indeed odd. My feeling is that CX may be switching flight time or something.

On your additional update, HKG is usually the HIP. It is strange that YVR is also a HIP, but that may be because of date difference. The week starting from 2-3 days after Thanksgiving is usually a very low travel period. OTOH, you can buy Jan 27 on CX865 returning Jan 29 for $429. I suggest you fly on Jan 27 and discard or change the return. That saves you $274.

Thank you very much for confirming this. I may just have to delay the trip until 2019 as you mention.

very interesting thought

oh wow, interesting thanks for sharing that, reading some that is a possibility

Did 889 get renumbered as 865?

Yes, but not CX888, AFAIK.

https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/cath...ced-cx865.html

Has anyone been able to book JFK-YVR for the next month until January 1, 2019? I've been looking to buy a Y ticket but CX seems to be blocking all classes. F0 J0 D0 etc. I just flew J in this on an award ticket I booked back in August and there were maybe 8 people in business class so it seems that overbooking isn't the reason here.

Does anyone know what's up with this?

I also have that question.

I have a cash J fare booked for Dec 15 JFK-YVR which was booked a month and a half ago but a wanted to change dates but everything is zeroed out. Cabins aren't full either

i think there's another thread about this already, someone speculated there is a set # of seats per year. can't find the thread but i think it was one of our mods who made that intelligent-sounding speculation IIRC

https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/cath...going-yvr.html

Not limited to CX 865 -- PR flight not showing any availability

Wondering how that would work if a DM were to invoke seat guarantee or if someone holding a flexible ticket were to go-show at the airport.