Reduced service: ORD-HKG suspended as of 8-Sept-2019 & EWR-EZE suspended as of 26-Oct
Aug 23, 2019, 4:46 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: United 1K, Marriott Platinum Premier
Posts: 112
Reduced service: ORD-HKG suspended as of 8-Sept-2019 & EWR-EZE suspended as of 26-Oct
Saw this breaking news on The Points Guy, but couldn't find any other discussion on it on Flyertalk, or any news about it on any of the official United Channels.
https://thepointsguy.com/news/united...-buenos-aires/
Anyone have more details or official word from United somewhere? Also, where is The Points Guy getting this info? I'm still able to book ORD-HKG flights on the United website as of today.
Also funny how they released this news a day after they released news about the new destinations that they were flying to.
https://thepointsguy.com/news/united...-buenos-aires/
In response, United Airlines has taken the rare step of suspending select flights to both cities — just as the carrier recently did with flights to India (which are due to resume next month). The following flights will be suspended:
- Chicago (ORD)-Hong Kong (HKG) — daily flight suspended beginning September 8, 2019
- Newark (EWR)-Buenos Aires (EZE) — daily flight suspended beginning October 26, 2019
Also funny how they released this news a day after they released news about the new destinations that they were flying to.
Aug 23, 2019, 5:02 pm
#2
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: Marriott Ambassador, UA Mileage Plus 1K, AA Executive Plat, Marriott Ambassador Elite
Posts: 2,344
Saw this breaking news on The Points Guy, but couldn't find any other discussion on it on Flyertalk, or any news about it on any of the official United Channels.
https://thepointsguy.com/news/united...-buenos-aires/
Anyone have more details or official word from United somewhere? Also, where is The Points Guy getting this info? I'm still able to book ORD-HKG flights on the United website as of today.
Also funny how they released this news a day after they released news about the new destinations that they were flying to.
https://thepointsguy.com/news/united...-buenos-aires/
Anyone have more details or official word from United somewhere? Also, where is The Points Guy getting this info? I'm still able to book ORD-HKG flights on the United website as of today.
Also funny how they released this news a day after they released news about the new destinations that they were flying to.
Aug 23, 2019, 5:03 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Los Angeles / Basel
Programs: UA 1K MM, AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 26,929
I just saw the memo from United. Service is "suspended" but I would be surprised to see it return. Sad, because Patrick Quayle said no routes would be cut during a call on Wednesday, though I don't link this news to a need for aircraft or directly rated to the new route announcements.
United Slashing Service To Hong Kong + Buenos Aires (link to my blog)
United Slashing Service To Hong Kong + Buenos Aires (link to my blog)
Last edited by MatthewLAX; Aug 23, 2019 at 5:33 pm
Aug 23, 2019, 5:11 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: UA*Lifetime GS, Hyatt* Lifetime Globalist
Posts: 12,337
It is about time. I was wondering how long it would take UA to start cutting back on services to HK.
A number of global companies and governments have issued travel warnings to HK. Hotel bookings are way down in HK as tour groups are cancelling at pretty steady pace.
In my own industry, all meetings and conferences have been cancelled, postponed, rescheduled or relocated. It is not just the protests and riots, but the trade war also add fuel to the fire.
The revised schedule will be loaded over the weekend that will also shown early termination of HKG-GUM service.
Not sure about OP’s statement on “it is funny to announce the suspension after adding services”. Is it suppose to be humor? Anyway, they are not related.
A number of global companies and governments have issued travel warnings to HK. Hotel bookings are way down in HK as tour groups are cancelling at pretty steady pace.
In my own industry, all meetings and conferences have been cancelled, postponed, rescheduled or relocated. It is not just the protests and riots, but the trade war also add fuel to the fire.
The revised schedule will be loaded over the weekend that will also shown early termination of HKG-GUM service.
Not sure about OP’s statement on “it is funny to announce the suspension after adding services”. Is it suppose to be humor? Anyway, they are not related.
Aug 23, 2019, 5:18 pm
#6
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2003
Programs: UA 1K 1MM (finally!), IHG AMB-Spire, HH Diamond
Posts: 60,174
Sad news - geopolitics screwing with some very cool routes to HKG and India.
I wonder if/when UA reconsiders the 2nd daily SFO-HKG plan.
Also, is pricing down? Is HKG potential mileage run fodder like SIN was 15-18 years ago?
I wonder if/when UA reconsiders the 2nd daily SFO-HKG plan.
Also, is pricing down? Is HKG potential mileage run fodder like SIN was 15-18 years ago?
Aug 23, 2019, 5:59 pm
#9
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: UA Plat MM, CM Plat, Amex Plat, Hertz CP, Hyatt Globalist, SPG Gold, Vons Club
Posts: 6,852
I have two flights in November between EWR and EZE
Well have to start thinking about rerouting…
UPDATE; UA Proactively protected me on new Flights! I’m happy with the revised routings..
Well have to start thinking about rerouting…
UPDATE; UA Proactively protected me on new Flights! I’m happy with the revised routings..
Last edited by Flying Machine; Aug 23, 2019 at 9:09 pm
Aug 23, 2019, 6:04 pm
#10
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC (Primarily EWR)
Programs: UA 1K / *G, Marriott Bonvoy Gold; Avis PC
Posts: 9,005
Makes sense in the current environment - HKG has the protest situation, while Argentina’s economy has been in free fall since the presidential primary. I do wonder what it means for the second SFO-HKG that was announced, and I do wonder if that might be used as the new positioning flight for 772 retrofits (since ORD-HKG had been the flight used to get the old birds over).
Aug 23, 2019, 6:51 pm
#11
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 812
I still paid hundreds more to route my trip through Taipei. The protestors are calling for more airport blockages at HKG this weekend, despite the court injunction. Regardless of what happens, the uncertainty of flying to/from/through HKG due to civil unrest will keep away anyone that doesn't absolutely have to go to Hong Kong.
I don't think UA will start the 2nd daily SFO-HKG until things calm down.
https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/...ng-authorities
Last edited by sincx; Aug 23, 2019 at 7:13 pm
Aug 23, 2019, 7:05 pm
#14
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Anywhere but home
Programs: UA 1K/MM, DL GM/MM, HH Dia, PC Plat, MR Gold, ALL Sil,
Posts: 4,553
I flew ORD-HKG yesterday and have been watching the loads the past week. There have been around 30 pax in J before non-revs cleared at the gate. Coach has been only around 60% full by my estimate. I can't say I am surprised.
I was scheduled to fly HKG-ORD next month and my flights have already been changed to HKG-SFO-ORD. Fortunately, my confirmed GPU was carried over to the new flights.
I was scheduled to fly HKG-ORD next month and my flights have already been changed to HKG-SFO-ORD. Fortunately, my confirmed GPU was carried over to the new flights.
Aug 23, 2019, 7:14 pm
#15
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: New York, NY
Programs: UA, AA, DL, Hertz, Avis, National, Hyatt, Hilton, SPG, Marriott
Posts: 9,453
With the collapse of the Argentinian economy I’ve been waiting for EWR-EZE to get the axe. Only seemed like a matter of time. ORD-HKG is surprising and I hope it’s temporary.
Agree that the 2nd SFOHKG is probably DOA in this climate unless it effectively replaces ORDHKG. Sad...
Agree that the 2nd SFOHKG is probably DOA in this climate unless it effectively replaces ORDHKG. Sad...