Questions and Answers

Option for Cathay First HKG-JFK vs Cathay Business HKG-YYZ (final destination is YYZ) – is it worthwhile to take the extra leg/connection for First? Your review on Cathay Bus HKG-YYZ in A350 makes me question if the First is even worthwhile. What do you think i should do? First time Cathay flyer. Thank you!

[QUOTE=”NancyLevi, post: 68638, member: 6400″]Option for Cathay First HKG-JFK vs Cathay Business HKG-YYZ (final destination is YYZ) – is it worthwhile to take the extra leg/connection for First? Your review on Cathay Bus HKG-YYZ in A350 makes me question if the First is even worthwhile. What do you think i should do? First time Cathay flyer. Thank you![/QUOTE]

Cathay F. Soft product is worth the extra time. Just be forewarned that you may have to leave from LGA to get to YYZ. I’m not sure if AC flies JFK to YYZ; I am almost . certain AA does not. Delta probably does.

Both AA and Delta fly the route… one problem solved!

[URL]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_F._Kennedy_International_Airport#Passenger[/URL]

You also will have to clear customs and then re-clear security at JFK, unfortunately the US doesn’t have sterile transit. So, that extra hassle may not be enough to justify the difference, especially if you don’t have Global Entry, Precheck, etc.

On the brightside, your First Class boarding pass would get you Flagship Lounge access during your layover in New York

[QUOTE=”rickyw, post: 68645, member: 1436″]Both AA and Delta fly the route… one problem solved!

[URL]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_F._Kennedy_International_Airport#Passenger[/URL]
[/QUOTE]

I think JFK – YYZ is / was a casualty of the JFK runway work and / or the MAX grounding. Checking for February and March in Google Flights (granted only on select days) shows no nonstops between JFK and YYZ. Checking for August shows it back on the schedule. Still only one flight a day (at least on some days).

And +1 on the FL at JFK. Forgot it is available for arriving passengers.

Super helpful thank you! Which Flagship lounges can be accessed at JFK? Only for F arrival or available for business too? Looking at Delta back to YYZ

Nancy, you would get Flagship Lounge access during your connection with either First or Business class ticket. Flagship First Dining would only be with First Class.

But, if your connecting ticket is on Delta, you may have some issues. Once clearing customs in New York, you’ll then be outside of security. Delta and American are in different terminals, and I can’t remember if the terminals are connected in JFK. So, you may have a tough time getting back to American’s terminal just to use the lounge during your layover (unless you fly American, which may not be possible based on the time of year of your travels).

[URL]https://onemileatatime.com/american-flagship-first-dining-jfk-review/[/URL]

Super roundabout answer, but First would be worth it for me if you continue your journey on American to Toronto, and you have a long enough layover to enjoy the lounge. Otherwise, keep it simple and go business class direct to Toronto.

[QUOTE=”rickyw, post: 68651, member: 1436″]But, if your connecting ticket is on Delta, you may have some issues. Once clearing customs in New York, you’ll then be outside of security. Delta and American are in different terminals, and I can’t remember if the terminals are connected in JFK.
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Terminal 8 and Terminals 2 and 4 are not connected airside. There is an airside bus from 2 to 4 for Delta connections, but that is of no use in this case. I don’t know if JFK allows boarding passes from different terminals through security.

CX in F is a huge step up. You’ll get access to a much less crowded lounge in HKG (during my recent transits though HKG there were usually between 3 and 7 passengers in The Wing F Lounge) with the option of using a cabana pre-flight as well as champagne in the lounge and the seats and bedding in F are so much more conducive to sleeping well. With a max of 6 passengers in F, it will also be much quieter.