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Laura Westbrook

Hong Kong flag carrier Cathay Pacific Airways on Thursday afternoon offered more than 50,000 discounted economy-class return tickets to worldwide destinations, but some users reported missing out on deals or waiting hours in a queue.
Multiple users vying for cheaper flights, including Post reporters, said once they had selected a destination, they waited up to four hours to get onto the flight selection page after the promotion launched at 2pm. It will run until August 30.
Some users told the Post they had snapped up the deals, but others reported paying almost double the advertised fares and several gave up after queuing for hours.
Several users reported being redirected to wait again after a pop-up message stated: “We are experiencing technical difficulties.”

However, Cathay said its website had functioned well throughout the day.
“We appreciate the understanding of some of our customers who had to queue to visit our website,” said a spokesman, adding Japan, mainland China, Europe, and Australia were among the most popular destinations.
As of Thursday night, the spokesman said the two-week promotion was ongoing, indicating that tickets had not sold out.
The discounted tickets covered 34 destinations, including Kaohsiung in Taiwan, Tokyo, Seoul, London, Sydney and Chicago, for travel between January and June next year, subject to blackout dates, the airline said.
Cathay said the special fares started at HK$1,220 (US$155), including tax and other charges. Discounted fares to Tokyo, started from HK$2,980 for a return flight. A regular ticket for the first week of January costs HK$6,585.
Cathay said that return fares to London, a popular destination, were available from HK$5,538, similar to pre-pandemic prices. A non-discounted round trip economy class flight in the first week of January costs HK$12,563.
Hong Kong’s Cathay to offer 100,000 discounted tickets, pays government dividend
Tickets must originate in Hong Kong, while the carrier said fares were subject to “limited availability” and would be offered on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Jun Nakanishi booked five return economy class tickets to London in April for HK$52,765, at about HK$10,553 per passenger.
Nakanishi said it was her first time trying to get a discount. She found the process smooth when she booked her tickets.
“I could have got the ‘special’ price if there wasn’t a technical issue,” she said. “It was just the fear of missing out, and I went ahead with the booking anyway.”
Another user, Catherine Leung, said once she got into the Cathay booking system, she was unable to get a discounted ticket to London and was quoted a price of around HK$8,000 to HK$9,000 for a flight in March.
Earnings at Hong Kong’s Cathay soar to HK$4.3 billion in first half of 2023
Instead, the marketing director went through the online travel agency Agoda to book her Cathay ticket for HK$5,550 to London in March next year.
Naomi Butson, a corporate communications manager, was among users who gave up after encountering problems getting onto the site and then having to start again.
“I feel disappointed, but I’m not surprised. Flight prices are out of reach for many people now so competition must be fiercer than ever,” she said.
Butson, who lived in the city for six years before moving back to Britain in 2020, is still planning to travel to Hong Kong next year for her goddaughter’s christening.
Referring to the high ticket prices, she said: “I understand the reason there is an increase, but the current mark-up feels like airlines are taking advantage of loyal passengers. It’s a real shame.”
Nik Ratanji, a British radiographer who has lived in Hong Kong for 12 years, waited four hours in a queue to get a ticket to Sydney next year but was not able to book a week on either side of the dates that he wanted.
Hong Kong’s Cathay forecasts profit of up to HK$4.5 billion for first half of 2023
“I had a feeling that I wouldn’t be successful. This experience reminded me of trying to buy music concert tickets. It is impossible for popular acts!” he said.
Cathay last week reported a net profit of HK$4.26 billion for the first half of 2023, following three straight years of losses totalling HK$33.7 billion.
Strong travel demand coupled with high ticket prices has helped Cathay’s revenue.
Jebsen Travel agency told the Post that airfares from Hong Kong were between 10 and 50 per cent more expensive than in 2019.
Meanwhile, Hong Kong Airlines will give away 1,000 round-trip economy class tickets as part of a 700,000-ticket lucky draw handled by local airlines under the “Hello Hong Kong” campaign to attract tourists.


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Cathay Pacific

Scramble for 50,000 discounted Cathay Pacific return tickets leaves some Hong Kong users frustrated

Would-be travellers waited online to score Cathay Pacific’s discounted tickets to 34 destinations.  Photo: Elson Li

Some users were left disappointed as they missed out on Cathay Pacific flights for the second time. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Cathay Pacific revamps customer loyalty scheme, with travellers required to shell out nearly 30 per cent more ‘miles’ for some free tickets

Cathay Pacific Airways is hoping to ramp up its passenger flight capacity. Photo: Winson Wong

Tokyo is a popular destination for Hongkongers. Photo: AP

A free ticket to New York will require fewer points for economy class but more in other cabins. Photo: Reuters

275,000 queue for free tickets from Japan to Hong Kong given out as part of tourism push

Cathay Pacific says people can join the latest race for tickets until July 2. Photo:  Jonathan Wong

News

Hong Kong

Transport

Users complain of long waiting times and website crashes as they tried to book tickets to one of 34 destinations
Airline’s spokesman says two-week promotion was ongoing, indicating that tickets have not sold out


Users complain of long waiting times and website crashes as they tried to book tickets to one of the 34 destinations.


Hong Kong aviation

Aviation

Scramble for 50,000 discounted Cathay Pacific return tickets leaves some Hong Kong users frustrated

Users complain of long waiting times and website crashes as they tried to book tickets to one of 34 destinations Airline’s spokesman says two-week promotion was ongoing, indicating that tickets have not sold out

Users complain of long waiting times and website crashes as they tried to book tickets to one of 34 destinations

Airline’s spokesman says two-week promotion was ongoing, indicating that tickets have not sold out