In other news, BR has just announced IAD from July 2026. I assume this makes it even less likely CX will resume (and anyway not sure they have the fleet to do so). Having said that, I don’t think there is any OW service direct into IAD from Asia.

BR is thrashing CX post covid.

CX can' compete

Right...with it's 4x weekly to BNE and pretty thin Europe coverage.

The delulu is getting worse lol.

Yeah, I'll book my next europe getaway with them.

I'm going to Spain next. Oh wait, they don't fly there?

Nevermind, I'll be flying to Switzerland after. What? They don't fly there too? bummer.

Ok, will watch F1 in Japan. And no flights to Nagoya? Why?

obviously I am talking transpacific.

So specify that then?

Also, I'm looking to fly into YYZ, JFK or YVR and want to land in the morning or early afternoon. Yes, I'll definitely pick BR. Oh wait, I forgot, no such flights exist...

I am sure they will adjust the timings accordingly. With that said, I am surprised the resumption is a red-eye out of ICN, as opposed to the red-eye out of HKG (historically CX412, departing at around 1AM). Despite this probably being attributed to fleet management, I recall they used to have a red-eye out of ICN many years back, but it didn't last very long.

Pretty sure the red-eye out of ICN is timed for concert goers in HK. Apparently, the UO615 (2:20am ICN departure) is quite popular, with flights constantly being full. CX resumed this red-eye just to (compete?) get market share in those concert goers who are willing to splurge a little extra to get better service. Strategic.

Also, I've seen from this forum before that A21N pilots are complaining about not getting layovers. That got them to have the shanghai turn (CX302/303) during NS25 and another beijing turn (I forgot the flight number). This, and the KUL red-eye, should be one of the ways CX is increasing the number of A21N flight deck crew layovers. I wouldn't be surprised if they would add more red-eyes for NS26.

IAD should actually first served by JL if there is a market.

NH is already on it though with UA - both into HND not NRT.

I don't think IAD is high on the list for the next few years particularly given the aircraft shortage and I think they will want to increase frequencies to existing ports but I do think CX will go back eventually. Its a top 10 US metro and the only other ones I could see getting service ahead of it are MIA and maybe PHX. PHL and CLT don't really do much that DFW can't and I don't see them going into the likes of IAH or ATL.

I see that UO is adding a 3rd daily flight to OKA. With such demand, and availability of the narrow bodies, CX should really consider starting one on their own. It really helps to provide an option with full service airlines and OW benefits. That’s what KA did very well and is irreplaceable by UO.

I saw on GDS that there is no more Changsha flights from 29 March onwards. I wonder if they are axed.

CX could look at returning to BAH or doing more in the Gulf, such as KWI. The BAH-DXB flight was a wonderful alternative to the local carriers.

According to past experience (pre-COVID, comparing KA and UO), there were not much business-passenger demand for KA to fill up 8 seats. I doubt CX will put any of their regional jets to OKA including 32Q.

While that can still be the case, the gap between CX and UO is just too big. Replacing KA with UO is letting other local (e.g. HX) and foreign (e.g. FD) competitors to eat market shares.