YVR-JFK using BA Miles.
 

Is it my imagination or is availability on this route in First of Business rarely available or, should I be planning 11 months out???

You either have to plan months in advance or travel on short notice ..ie within a week to a few days.

CX F awards on the YVR-JFK vv. routes tend to be available only a few days before departure (depending on the loading of passengers who fly only HKG-YVR).

So if there are more passengers flying only HKG-YVR on CX888 in F, the better chance you can redeem a F award for YVR-JFK.

I wondered if last minute was the routine due to the possibility of ongoing pax from HKG - YVR. Thanx for the input, I'll keep trying. A.