I am attempting to look far out this year and book a flight while the good seats are available for miles. When I look at the immediate future, I see nothing to get between Asia and US. Starting about July I see it open up. I am looking all the way out to December for when I actually intend to travel.

Are these flights actually planned or do they just re-hash last years schedule and cancel them a month or so out so their booking calendar isnt completely blank. For example - if I looked 6 months ago for todays date, would a flight have existed only to later be removed?

Apologies if this is a dumb/confusing question - I am getting stir crazy here...

ANy flights several months ahead are just place holders.
That is true on any airline.

Unless there is a miracle, most flights scheduled six months from now will be cancelled.
If you look for awards, you might want to try booking on one of the few flights that currently operate to maximize your chances, but there is no certainty.

Agreed with brunos, I'd say Cathay's schedule is more flexible than most, as who knows what the HK Government may decide to do that lead to major changes of flights, al la the recent quarantine changes for Cathay.

If going stir crazy (who isn't!), personally I would:
1. Book a few alternative destinations (i.e. multiple flights, perhaps even with a few airlines), to avoid a country banning you or any travel (thinking of those who decided to ban all UK citizens)
2. Not book any non-refundable travel commitments (i.e. I'd get a few flexible hotels, not pre-pay any car hire or other things more substantial such as a big tourist event), or at least make sure that you could move a booking to a few years later if needed
3. Not book anything very important within 3 days of arrival/departure (to accommodate COVID tests, potential changes of flights +/- 2 days)
4. Have good travel insurance that covers COVID cancellations
5. Fly instead with Qatar, who are very reliable and don't seem to cancel flights very often, though you can't escape #1, they do offer a lot of flexibility with their paid tickets

Best case you may get more flexibility with your awards, perhaps really the worst case they may make you cancel, but seems fairly likely you'd get your cash or miles back for a fairly nominal fee at the moment.

Hi, I have a flight booked 4/1 on CX807 ORD-HKG... still showing that this flight will be operating. I thought this was one of the flights to be cancelled during this period? How long to wait for cancellation? (I don't have the intention of taking this flight, but I would rather wait till it cancels so I have more flexibility to reschedule) Thank you!

I assume that you mean 1 April 2021
Apparently CX works on a month by month basis given the uncertainty.
ORD flights have been cancelled for March. April flights are not cancelled yet but availability is zeroed and CX does not sell tickets.
Apparently there are two seats assigned in F and one in J.

CX will officially cancel it when they announce their schedule for the month of April.
Could still take a few days. My guess is a 99.9% chance it will be cancelled.

Interesting; thank you. HKG-DPS is cancelled for several months in advance though, now starts in July? Perhaps some flights they are more confident than others...

Some countries/regions have imposed strict travel restrictions.
For example international flights to Bali (DPS) are banned. There is no expectation for the flight ban to be lifted in the near future.
This is not a CX commercial decision and the compulsory HK crew quarantine.