[Master Thread] CX Flight Scheduling
 

Hi all! I was wondering if anyone knows when the flight schedules will be updated with all the aircraft which are going to be running routes this winter? I am really frustrated at the moment because I want to book with CX, but I want to take a flight which has an A350 operating it, and at the moment it is all guesswork for passengers because all the aircraft on routes are only confirmed until the 27th of October, and after that all flights (except for a few key ones, such as flights to JFK and LAX), have the default aircraft (A330, A350-900, or A321neo) showing up as operating the flight in the CX flight schedule. To be clear, I cannot find the A350-1000 or the 777-300ER anywhere in the flight schedules beyond October 27 (except for the 777-300ER to LHR, JFK, and LAX). Usually this is updated across the board 3 months before the new schedule kicks in (October 27) but they still haven't done it. Any reasons why, and any clue when we will finally know which aircraft are really operating flights this winter?

Here is the link to the CX Flight Timetable Page: https://www.cathaypacific.com/cx/en_...timetable.html (Unfortunately since the latest update to the page, we cannot see which variant of aircraft (e.g. A350-900 or A350-1000) is operating each flight, so to check that you need a dummy booking, but this gives us a rough idea of the state of the schedule)

Which route are you planning to fly?

Some routes like FRA/ZRH tend to have 350s. LHR has multiple flights per day so it’ll have daily 359s. Also, CX should be refitting the 777-ERs, you can expect more flights to be on 350s.

New season, the same issue here...CX has not finalized its winter schedule and usually they will finish that before October.

I am looking to fly AKL-HKG-DXB-HKG-AKL, but if CX decides to put the 77W on the AKL route, I will probably try avoiding CX. I know that CX hasn't flown the 777 down here since Covid, but with increasing load factors on this route, I hope they don't put the 777 on it. To Dubai, I would be a little annoyed if it was a 777 (which is likely at the moment), but the flight is 6-8 hours in winter, so it wouldn't be too bad. You're right to point to the retrofit program meaning more A350 utilisation, but it really depends on when retrofits can start happening, and how many aircraft are done at a time.

Pretty much guarantee both routes will be A350

I'm interested to understand your frustrations since I'm unclear what cabin you're flying in and the advantages flying an A350 over 777W. Having flown both recently in Y, W and J, I would say in general that the A350 has better entertainment monitors and cabin ambience. In W, the hard product itself is massively different but I wouldn't say it's that stark in Y or J.

We obviously look for different things when we fly and in your case, the plane type is a significant decision for you. I would like to hear your assessments. For me, schedules and connection times are most important, and make my purchase decisions predominantly by that. CX is my preferred carrier because it meets my needs. What are your needs?

I am most probably going to be flying in Y. I would say there are a range of benefits which come with flying onboard an A350 vs a 777, such as a much quieter cabin, far greater cabin moisture (I feel so much better in-flight), wider seats, far comfier seats (CX has a better economy product onboard the A350), a superior entertainment system, and other smaller benefits. Having flown on both the 77W and 359 and 35K on quite a few long hauls in the past year, I can definitely say that I would much rather fly the A350.

Having said that, there are multiple options for the trip, which are also convenient, such as EK and QF, which are similarly priced as well. Being CX SL, of course I would want to fly with CX and enjoy the benefits of Silver, but I would rather fly on a more comfortable and advanced aircraft than on those dreaded 777s with their 3-4-3. Since all these options are similarly priced and equally convenient, meeting all my needs just fine, in my opinion, the aircraft operating the flights is the next most important factor in deciding the airline which I choose for the journey. Hopefully CX can have the A350 operating to AKL and DXB, and then the no-brainer choice would be CX.

I think AKL will most likely be an A350 as it has been for a few years now, but I am unsure about HKG-DXB. Why do you think DXB will be getting the A350? In any case I would be glad if it does.

Thanks for sharing your perspective. Literally returned this morning from Hong Kong in a 777W and couldn't really complain about the ride down. In fact, I preferred the UI on the entertainment system than what I experienced on the a350 on the flight up. I also appreciated the cabin layout in Y on the 777W, passenger flow between aisles is much better, no awkward traversing in front of passengers at the bulkhead. Noisy cabin, sure, but that's what my noise cancelling headphones are for.
Hopefully you get the trip you are after, whether that's with CX or someone else. Always exciting jumping on a plane to another place.

Christchurch will resume between Dec 13, 2024 and Feb 27, 2025, and that's going to be an Airbus A350-900 route. The worst case scenario is that they sub in an Airbus A350-1000. If you are flying from NZ, Christchurch should be a pretty safe A350 route but of course nothing is guarantee 100%.

Carfield

Late release of Winter Schedules
 

Had the same exact issue this time last year with LHR. Initially timetables were showing one 77W on CX251/252, the remaining 3 being A359, before changing circa mid way through October to 3 77W, one A35K. Its frustrating how they've done this again by leaving final schedules so late before they're finalised.

Is the winter schedule supposed to be released soon?

Which month does the winter schedule cover to?

Thanks

The vast majority of airlines such as SQ have already released and finalised their schedules for the winter. However, with Cathay, it is a case of patience and "wait and see" unfortunately, as was the case this time last year. Winter schedules typically cover last week of October until end of March.

It looks like prices are going to go much higher before they update the winter schedule, so it may just have to be a case of book and hope. It is so frustrating, I don't know why they can't just update it a little further in advance, especially since this would benefit the airline themselves, because they would be able to sell premium economy on routes where the aircraft is showing as an A330 right now, which doesn't feature premium economy. Did you end up on the A350 or a 77W last year?

I agree, scheduling last year was all over the place, and CX left it until very late prior to being finalised. I'm surprised that this has happened again this year, because so many other carriers finalised their winter schedules a while ago. Thats partly the reason why I didn't book my flights to BKK until later last year, as I didn't know what was happening, and I honestly wanted to avoid the 77W. On the way out, I was on CX238 (A350-1000), quite possibly my best long haul flight to date. The A350 is the best long haul aircraft in Cathay's fleet hands down- more spacious, better seats in Y, more padding... Sadly the A350 wasn't scheduled on any of the overnight flights back to LHR, so we were on a fully packed 77W for CX251. Definitely felt much more cramped than the A350 on the way out, and just looked and felt tired. All likelihood is that the two overnight flights (CX251 and CX255) will continue to be served with the 777, which is a shame. This is partly why I loved the LGW service when CX offered it, as that flight was always on the A350, and also overnight.