Change to Aircraft on CX257 - no more F?

[sighing]

Hi all

Is anyone here aware of an aircraft change to this flight from HKG to LHR in October? I've just found that my award redemption in F has been downsized to J. When I spoke to USDM, agent mentioned that their system is showing this flight as a 2 cabin flight, coach and business only.

Does this sound right?

Thanks in advance,
Sigh

 

[mannej]

What aircraft is it?

Have you also checked the CX website to see what they are offering?

 

[sighing]

What aircraft is it?

Have you also checked the CX website to see what they are offering?

Aircraft is still showing as 777-300ER (77W) on CX website but cannot book a (dummy) first class flight on this aircraft. Plain weird, but it appears that there is no F class on this flight for the day in question.

Same situation would appear for another flight I have booked on this award redemption: CX901. also showing as 77W on CX website has changed from F to J on the booking.

I called USDM again to clarify, since I hadn't even received a notification on the change. I actually noticed this initially as I was checking my QFF bookings summary.

 

[Happy Trails]

It seems to have been that way since last November.

Cathay Pacific S14 London Heathrow Operation Changes as of 04NOV13 | Airline Route

As of 04NOV13, CX257/238 is scheduled to be operated by 3-class Boeing 777-300ER on daily basis, instead of 6 weekly 4-class and 1 weekly 3-class operation.

 

[sighing]

It seems to have been that way since last November.

Cathay Pacific S14 London Heathrow Operation Changes as of 04NOV13 | Airline Route

As of 04NOV13, CX257/238 is scheduled to be operated by 3-class Boeing 777-300ER on daily basis, instead of 6 weekly 4-class and 1 weekly 3-class operation.

I appreciate the link. Considering I booked the award redemption about a month and a half ago, it's disappointing to see this. No hint that CX operated this schedule when USDM processed the award and for awhile I even had a 1K seat selected on the flight via CX online! My options appear to be limited at this point unless some inventory opens up on another flight.

 

[Happy Trails]

I appreciate the link. Considering I booked the award redemption about a month and a half ago, it's disappointing to see this. No hint that CX operated this schedule when USDM processed the award and for awhile I even had a 1K seat selected on the flight via CX online! My options appear to be limited at this point unless some inventory opens up on another flight.

Can't explain that, but I reckon you have a fair chance of F becoming available within two weeks of departure; more so if you have some flexibility with timing.

 

[Timba-Jet]

Can't explain that, but I reckon you have a fair chance of F becoming available within two weeks of departure; more so if you have some flexibility with timing.

Can confirm the above. I had a HKG-PEK(KA) F / PEK-LHR(BA) F booked via USDM 2 months ago, traveling this weekend.

Yesterday I changed to direct CX253 HKG-LHR flight in F, $150 change fee offset by $253 refund in BA YA surcharges.

It seems CX will release award seats approx 7 days out.

 

[sighing]

Thanks both for the feedback. I'm extremely pleased to hear you were able to make the last minute change Timba-Jet, enjoy your trip this coming weekend.

It looks like I'll have to wait it out and see what and if other other options become available closer to the time. Was a bit of a shock going from 3 F sectors to 1 in a heartbeat and without notification but I'll take some comfort knowing availability may come up...

Cheers
sigh

 

[sighing]

Just got off the phone with USDM after finding another flight available with a F class cabin but I'm a bit confused now after the agent told me I would have to re-do the entire booking from scratch if I want to change one sector. Does this sound right or should I simply HUACA?

Thanks,
sigh

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Just got off the phone with USDM after finding another flight available with a F class cabin but I'm a bit confused now after the agent told me I would have to re-do the entire booking from scratch if I want to change one sector. Does this sound right or should I simply HUACA?

Thanks,
sigh

No - they don't have to start again. Try another agent.

 

[sighing]

Yep - HUACA did the trick. The next agent was easily able to change the sector. It's funny how going from one agent to another can yield such differing results!

 

[Origin]

Hi all

Is anyone here aware of an aircraft change to this flight from HKG to LHR in October? I've just found that my award redemption in F has been downsized to J. When I spoke to USDM, agent mentioned that their system is showing this flight as a 2 cabin flight, coach and business only.

Does this sound right?

Thanks in advance,
Sigh

I am confused about this as well. Booked 2 F tickets in June 2014. On CX 257 for May 2015 departure. It still is showing the booking is in F. Based on this thread is it likely that we will be bumped to J closer to departure?

You still seem to be able to make a dummy booking into F on the Cathay bookings page?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I am confused about this as well. Booked 2 F tickets in June 2014. On CX 257 for May 2015 departure. It still is showing the booking is in F. Based on this thread is it likely that we will be bumped to J closer to departure?

You still seem to be able to make a dummy booking into F on the Cathay bookings page?

CX257 and CX239 departures seem to be operating without an F cabin. Flightstats is a good place to look - it is already showing those flights without F in May 2015 and this is confirmed in the CX booking engine with 'CX257 has no first class' etc (clicking on the button will return a business class booking)

CX may decide to change or continue with this once the next timetable is released - at which point it should be clear which direction they will take (ie it's not going to be sprung on you a couple days before departure). If the CX engine is currently showing F (that you can book) I would still keep an eye out for any changes. If it is unavailable (maybe if you give us your exact date), i would get it changed by USDM.

 

[Origin]

Thanks Mel Traveller for your response. I am a bit of a novice at this so I not sure if I understand everything you have said.
I booked using QFF points on Cathay for CX 257 out of HKG on 6 May 2015 and return LHR to HK on 27 May 2015 on CX 238.

IT is a 50th Birthday trip and hence the reason for booking F. ( or so I thought) my booking which was made in June 14 is still showing F and I thought I could still make a dummy booking into F even now. Why does CX allow you to make a F booking if the plane will not have a F cabin? Are the just trying to gauge demand this far out?

Just was wondering what options ( if any) I would have as was really wantining it to be F for the 50th.

 

[sighing]

Thanks Mel Traveller for your response. I am a bit of a novice at this so I not sure if I understand everything you have said.
I booked using QFF points on Cathay for CX 257 out of HKG on 6 May 2015 and return LHR to HK on 27 May 2015 on CX 238.

IT is a 50th Birthday trip and hence the reason for booking F. ( or so I thought) my booking which was made in June 14 is still showing F and I thought I could still make a dummy booking into F even now. Why does CX allow you to make a F booking if the plane will not have a F cabin? Are the just trying to gauge demand this far out?

Just was wondering what options ( if any) I would have as was really wantining it to be F for the 50th.

Having already been through this same scenario, my advice is to keep an eye out on the only 2 CX flights from HKG to LHR that have a first cabin. When a seat becomes available, call USDM and change your flight. Unfortunately it will cost 150 per segment but still good value in the long run. That is what I ended up doing after CX changed equipment.

Alternatively, hope that CX change back!

 

[sighing]

Oops, i just noticed you booked through QFF not USDM so I can't be sure if the same rule applies. Perhaps someone more familiar with QFF award rules can confirm.

 

[Origin]

Thanks Sighing for advice.

What confuses me is that you can still book a F ticket for those dates and flights on the CX booking engine.
Also my existing booking still shows F Cabin.

Did yours get bumped to J or did make the change before that happened?

 

[sighing]

My F booking did get downgraded to J, that's why I changed my flight. This happened just recently and applies to an October 2014 booking I made in July via USDM.

Hope this helps.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thanks Mel Traveller for your response. I am a bit of a novice at this so I not sure if I understand everything you have said.
I booked using QFF points on Cathay for CX 257 out of HKG on 6 May 2015 and return LHR to HK on 27 May 2015 on CX 238.

IT is a 50th Birthday trip and hence the reason for booking F. ( or so I thought) my booking which was made in June 14 is still showing F and I thought I could still make a dummy booking into F even now. Why does CX allow you to make a F booking if the plane will not have a F cabin? Are the just trying to gauge demand this far out?

Just was wondering what options ( if any) I would have as was really wantining it to be F for the 50th.

If you can still book, then that is the one day a week the 257 is operating with an F cabin. And your return 238 is operated by the incoming 257 on the same day of the week, so also with F cabin.

The 239 outbound on that day has already been loaded with 'no first class'. So if it was going to affect the 257 you'd already know.

If you look at the original notification on airlineroute it says it is operating one day a week or something with F.

So you're good to go.

Equipment swaps at the last minute (day of departure) on long hauls are extremely rare.

 

[Origin]

If you can still book, then that is the one day a week the 257 is operating with an F cabin. And your return 238 is operated by the incoming 257 on the same day of the week, so also with F cabin.

The 239 outbound on that day has already been loaded with 'no first class'. So if it was going to affect the 257 you'd already know.

If you look at the original notification on airlineroute it says it is operating one day a week or something with F.

So you're good to go.

Equipment swaps at the last minute (day of departure) on long hauls are extremely rare.

Thank you Mel_Traveller. Yes it looks like First is available on Wednesday on CX257 and CX 238 from about late March 2015 onwards. Couldn't find the original airline route notification about the one day a week but what you have said makes sense and seems correct.