Probability of regional flight changes
#3


Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: CX, UA, Shangri-La, Hyatt, Starwood
Posts: 8,239
"Higher than you'd prefer". And can happen at any time: months in advance, multiple times before flight, up to an hour before the flight.
This is probably the most-posted topic in the forum! You can refer to these (ominous) threads:
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/cath...ue-ticket.html
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/cath...f-bkk-hkg.html
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/cath...ent-swaps.html
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/cath...ess-class.html
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/cath...ngle-seat.html
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/cath...-question.html
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/cath...st-minute.html
There are many more threads, but those are some of the recent/longer ones when searching for "equipment swap". Searching always appreciated!
Some flights and routes are better protected and/or have higher odds for various reasons, but none are totally protected except PEK (for now) on CX390/391, and HND on 548/549. That's because these two flights sell and protect regional F class and hence longhaul J is also guaranteed. For those unfamiliar with CX, it is better to just book regional flights for your schedule not equipment. I've read some blog posts implying it's possible to secure longhaul equipment on regional routes, which is deceptive, although it's easy to see how it fools infrequent CX customers. Because the equipment is loaded in the system, on EF, etc. But just bear in mind CX frequently and without any qualms swap it away at any time. Except the PEK and HND flights I mention above.
This is probably the most-posted topic in the forum! You can refer to these (ominous) threads:
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/cath...ue-ticket.html
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/cath...f-bkk-hkg.html
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/cath...ent-swaps.html
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/cath...ess-class.html
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/cath...ngle-seat.html
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/cath...-question.html
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/cath...st-minute.html
There are many more threads, but those are some of the recent/longer ones when searching for "equipment swap". Searching always appreciated!
Some flights and routes are better protected and/or have higher odds for various reasons, but none are totally protected except PEK (for now) on CX390/391, and HND on 548/549. That's because these two flights sell and protect regional F class and hence longhaul J is also guaranteed. For those unfamiliar with CX, it is better to just book regional flights for your schedule not equipment. I've read some blog posts implying it's possible to secure longhaul equipment on regional routes, which is deceptive, although it's easy to see how it fools infrequent CX customers. Because the equipment is loaded in the system, on EF, etc. But just bear in mind CX frequently and without any qualms swap it away at any time. Except the PEK and HND flights I mention above.
Last edited by QRC3288; Jul 8, 2019 at 8:59 pm Reason: Changed "extremely high" to "higher than you'd prefer" which is more accurate


