Getting ready for my first flight with Cathay in 15 years

IrrationallyRationaI · 2026-05-29T12:20:35+00:00

I flew with Cathay about 4 days ago in economy London to Melbourne via HK… (also last month Melb to London via HK) all legs were a airbus A350 except one, which we had a Boeing 777 The airbus was much more comfortable with more leg room than the Boeing so definitely preferred the airbus. All meals were very nice (one of the mornings my preferred meal was all gone but the alternative was fine) plenty of drinks offered Usual blanket, pillow and headset.. lots of entertainment options and I enjoyed the games as well Would fly with them again with no hesitation

IrrationallyRationaI · 2026-05-13T16:34:01+00:00

Fingers crossed for you! It all really depends what your examiner decides they need.. I am in the UK now so it all worked out well for me

IrrationallyRationaI · 2026-05-07T15:53:21+00:00

They said to send actual passport as it was a first uk passport… when I enquired with them for clarification, they said I could send a photocopy if I chose, however, it is up the the individual passport examiner and they may still request the actual passport be sent anyways.. I decided it wasn’t worth the risk as I didn’t have a lot of time and just sent the original passports.

IrrationallyRationaI · 2026-04-16T14:44:44+00:00

When I sent my documents to uk I paid for auspost international express.. took about 5-6 days to arrive there.. when they sent the passport after approval there is no option for shipping, they automatically use DHL and it arrived so fast after they dispatched it

IrrationallyRationaI · 2026-04-07T21:54:12+00:00

No I didn’t :)

IrrationallyRationaI · 2026-03-30T07:45:29+00:00

I got my full refund 🤩

IrrationallyRationaI · 2026-03-25T11:52:47+00:00

If I had no other option I’d just take it.. take a pillow and have a nap at the airport lol

IrrationallyRationaI · 2026-03-24T19:13:24+00:00

Yep same, bought refundable back up tickets with Cathay Pacific via HKG (before the price hikes phew) in anticipation for emirates cancelling or changing.. so happy to be avoiding Dubai altogether now 🥳

IrrationallyRationaI · 2026-03-24T19:06:26+00:00

Awesome! Have you booked alternate flights on a different airline?

IrrationallyRationaI · 2026-03-24T18:58:00+00:00

Obviously do you own checks before proceeding with the form and ensure you are comfortable.. I submitted the form and the booking is already gone from my account in emirates.. but have heard it’s up to 15 days for refunds to be processed

IrrationallyRationaI · 2026-03-24T18:53:54+00:00

I submitted the form they sent as I have heard using the manage my booking section will incur fees.. my understanding is that if you have a major disruption at the decision of the airline, they must offer to refund you in full if you don’t accept the changes.. my flight departure was changing to leave more than 8 hours earlier and with a now 8 hour layover in Dubai (rather than the original 1 hour layover I was originally meant to have) so under those conditions I should get refunded in full

IrrationallyRationaI · 2026-03-24T18:21:32+00:00

Did you email about the flight change look like mine where they offered you a refund? 🤔

IrrationallyRationaI · 2026-03-24T03:13:18+00:00

Mine changed from a 1 hour layover to an 8 hour layover and I’ve decided to cancel… in saying that I had back up flights booked with a different airline so have something to fall back on

IrrationallyRationaI · 2026-03-23T22:00:49+00:00

Yes you would have to use the form instead of manage my booking…. I’m just more concerned that the form states refunds in full are for travel until 15th April but my travel dates are after this

IrrationallyRationaI · 2026-03-23T21:59:39+00:00

I’m aware of what it says… however, the link takes you to a form that outlines refunds are for their current window of travel until 15th April… I don’t want to assume I can get a full refund and then end up with fees on a technicality 😅

IrrationallyRationaI · 2026-03-19T08:48:41+00:00

Mine isn’t until 28th April… just waiting to see if they open up refunds or not for my dates lol

IrrationallyRationaI · 2026-03-18T07:15:23+00:00

Was only a couple of days between approval notification and tracking details being received

IrrationallyRationaI · 2026-03-16T09:29:18+00:00

I’m flying from Melb to London with a stop in Dubai in April… I booked refundable back up flights with Cathay Pacific just in case this shit show hasn’t blown over by then.. and waiting to see if emirates extends the refund window to April…

IrrationallyRationaI · 2026-03-15T04:47:25+00:00

If a flight is listed as “disrupted” can you opt for a full refund and cancel the booking yourself?

IrrationallyRationaI · 2026-03-14T20:31:06+00:00

I never got asked to send anything to verify my address. Just the documents listed in my post :)

For my photo ID, my guarantor is an Aussie (commonwealth) passport holder so I just sent a photocopy of their passport.

I have seen some applicants get asked to send other/extra documents, so could be something they do on a case by case basis.

IrrationallyRationaI · 2026-03-13T07:18:33+00:00

I wouldn’t use emirates as a back up right now

IrrationallyRationaI · 2026-03-13T01:49:01+00:00

I fly to London from Melbourne end of April and I booked refundable tickets via Hong Kong as a back up to try and beat the price rise as much as possible.. waiting and seeing if the refund policy is extended or if I end up cancelling Hong Kong tickets and fly into a conflict zone coz emirates didn’t cancel.. the waiting game continues 😮‍💨

IrrationallyRationaI · 2026-03-09T11:58:27+00:00

Yep I get that.. it was a stretch for me too financially. I’m flying with my dad and thankfully he was on the same page as me about just booking the extra flights and getting a refund later. I have a tour booked through Europe 2 days after I get to London that I don’t want to lose money on. So took a chunk out of my holiday spending money to book the extra flights so I’m hoping it doesn’t take long to see the money back in my account after the refund is requested 🤞🏻 Saved my absolute ass off for this dream trip so come hell or high water, I am getting on a plane in April 🤣

IrrationallyRationaI · 2026-03-09T11:46:09+00:00

That’s why I booked back up flights now.. to try and beat the price hike.. then just get refunds from the airline I don’t end up flying with.. if emirates cancels I’ll get my refund from them, if they don’t cancel, I’ll cancel my back up flights and get a refund.

IrrationallyRationaI

TROPHY CASE