Interesting - I happened to be on this airplane HKG-JFK last week - was lucky enough to get the last available seat in business class 24 hours before departure.
F and Y cabins were full as well - perhaps the 'weak demand' is in the opposite direction.
I did note that we did not fly the polar route mentioned, instead flying a random track across NOPAC to SEA direct JFK - 15+30 total time.
This was a convenient flight - sorry to see it go - off to Cathay or Continental next time, I suppose.
Thanks to all.