Done With AF
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Hong Kong, France
Programs: FB , BA Gold
Posts: 15,495
I wonder if it might have to do with the times? If you were connecting from HKG, the flights arrive extremely early (is it still 4.55?) and that is probably very empty for connections (when I arrived from NBO very early too it was very smooth). However peak arrival times 7-10am can be an unmitigated disaster... Then it calms down a bit again before the next hub peak etc.
On the other leg to HKG, I landed around 4pm from ORY.
Both are probably good time slots.
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist, Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Somewhere between 0 and 13,000 metres high
Programs: AF/KL Life Plat, BA GGL+GfL, ALL Plat, Hilton Diam, Marriott Gold, blablablah, etc
Posts: 30,354
I actually wondered that several times as you can then use the North fast track. However, the early part is also quite heavy both on immigration (sadly, the fact that French passports always seem to fail the automated gates can mean a longish queue!) and on London origin security which might make the time savings minimal. Around 9/10 though I think I might do exactly that and hope for the best.
I read somewhere that some people had managed passing security at T5B even if their connection was not from there, but I am unclear as this works as when I asked I was refused with the explanation that it is only for people with confirmed departure from T5B/C.
I read somewhere that some people had managed passing security at T5B even if their connection was not from there, but I am unclear as this works as when I asked I was refused with the explanation that it is only for people with confirmed departure from T5B/C.
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: London, UK and Southern France
Posts: 18,351
#19
FlyerTalk Evangelist, Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Somewhere between 0 and 13,000 metres high
Programs: AF/KL Life Plat, BA GGL+GfL, ALL Plat, Hilton Diam, Marriott Gold, blablablah, etc
Posts: 30,354
#21
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PDX
Programs: Delta Diamond, AF-KL Flying Blue life Plat. Hertz Plat., Marriott & SPG Platinum.
Posts: 12
I have had a new passport made because the old one would fail Parafe the times. The new one works perfectly. I also have Global Entry, so that makes my EU-US commutes painless as far as controls are concerned.