G-CIVC

Many of us may have been happy (or shocked/saddened) thanks to the news that EWR is switching to 35G soon today, thanks to maortega15's info ^. Well, I could hardly care about 35G (i just hope it doesn't come to Chicago), so I was very interested in where the 77G frames would be going. Because of that, and since I am no insider, I spent the night ripping apart EF and the CX master schedule, and here are some interesting changes not previously reported:

1. CX548/549 gets a sibling. CX520/521 to NRT will have 'guaranteed' F for the season and hopefully beyond. Unfortunately, the afternoon HND flight CX542/543 is still (and now 'permanently') 773Z.

2. LHR will see more F as we will see 77H on CX257/238 rotation for most dates save for peak seasons such as end of year and CNY.

3. This has been noted previously, but now it seems quite set that LAX will not see 77Gs at all anymore. Also previously reported, we will see 24 rather than 21 weekly frequencies as 898/897 gets partially restated.

4. As for the 77Gs. The only thing that looks very secure is a BOM rotation (CX663/660) changing to 77G daily for the entire season (ie 'permanently'). PEY is available for sale.

5. Starting january 2018 and until end of season CMB will see 77G for days 257. No PEY seems to be sold so remains rather volatile it seems.

6. Instead of double 359s as previously announced, 77G will be going back to AKL for CX197/198 rotation during peak season in W17/18.

I didn't check the S/S18 schedule yet but I hope to do so when I have the time

Arbeysix

Thanks. That's great news ^

jagmeets

Thanks for all the work, G-CIVC

197/198 is 1 frame, and a very tight utilisation.

BOM/CMB are very similar schedules. So that'll need 2 frames.

Could possibly be coming from the 77Hs for LHR etc, but that must mean the 359 taking more of the long haul routes.

Kachjc

so the 77G's are replacing A330's which are going to KA
no new routes....

When Oasis HK launched CX was aggressive, upped frequencies on Vancouver and LHR

CX is letting HK take over AKL and LAX

Arbeysix

How so? CX has industry leading product on both routes. Just because a competitor enters the market I don't think it follows that upping frequencies is always the best response (although CX has done that for YVR).

kaka

yvr is more a HKer destination- so much cx can upguage. I doubt akl can support the same. Now they cooperate w NZ already

Aus106080

To be frank, CX does not have the ability to block HK airlines to enter these markets or any other markets as HNA is so strong.

qsh

I hope CX will maintain double 77G to YYZ all year long.
VFR demands are strong!

jckl

I believe CX flight crew are all well trained enough to fly a VFR approach in their respective fleet. It is not reserved for the 77G although an IFR approach with an ILS landing does reduce workload and stress after a long flight.

G-CIVC

VFR = visiting friends and relatives

qsh

Thanks for clarifying. I believe CX pilots are well trained even for IGS approach

Btw where can the master schedule be found??

sscywong

Or more J seats? Don't know the loading and demand though... Just guessing

headinclouds

With CX 520 flight's later depature time, perhaps we will see a lunch menu and maybe a return of the kaiseki option?

HKGglobaltrotter

I was on CX549 HND-HKG F the other month with their double-catering Kaiseki meal. Was not impressed at all on the quality of the food. The sake they served was also sub-par to the point the Japanese SP offered her apology for serving such cheap drink in F.

Happy to hear there's another F flight to Tokyo but I won't get overly excited with the double catering meal which you will get on-board on CX521 on the inbound.

G-CIVC

Yeah the good thing will be one can choose to fly 520 instead of 548 for a more earthly departure time and Kaiseki rather than just breakfast, but just like 549 the rotation is double catered so it can only be as good as it gets...

I'm personally happy with more opportunities to use the bookable upgrades.

The plot twist is I see some potential grAAbbing from incoming JL connections. At least the price is now high to deter them a bit