Cathay Pacific Asia Miles - Connection Time YYZ- BKK (also NBC ??)

I am flying in J YYZ to BKK via HKG in Sept. The one YYZ - HKG flight available (829) arrives at HKG 8 a.m. If I try to plan / book online the HKG to BKK flight (CX suggests, e.g.) is then at 8:55 a.m.

Is 55 to change planes minutes adequate?

The next departure is not until 2:20 pm which would not be the end of the world, enough time to wander around, use the lounge, have a shave and shower, change, eat, etc., but it is still 6 hours.

The return is similar - one hour and a bit connection arriving at 3:10 p.m. and leaving for YYZ at 4:20 p.m. Alternatives are not so bad as I could choose the 9:50 a.m. out of BKK and arrive in HKG at 1:45 and only a wait of 2:40 or so.

Any experienced CX travelers done this route and can comment? I suppose if the other onward flights to BKK are not full I can TRY for 8:55 and if the connection is missed then I'd wind up on the 2:20 p.m. anyway.

Also on the YYZ-HKG/HKG- YYZ route is the J class the NBC ? It seems to be much better than I guess what would be called OBC.

Final Question - the onward flight to BKK has J class right? Not an all coach 737 or something.

[This message has been edited by ricktoronto (edited Mar 12, 2004).]

In my experience, the 828 from YYZ consistently gets into HKG ~60 mins early, barring any delays in YYZ or the fuel stop point (currently YVR). Even if you are not early, 55 mins is doable at HKG as you don't need to clear customs during your transfer.

If you can get CX to ticket the short-transfer itin, I would give it a try. I wouldn't take the risk on seperate tickets, though.

As for Cathay's Business product, all of it's A343s (the aircraft that operates 828/829) have the NBC. THe HKG-BKK route is plied by CX aircraft in both the long-haul and reginonal layout, so your seating experience may vary depending on what flight you ultimately get on (I can tell you that the early 744 flight will have the long-haul J class). Nevertheless, the CX regional business class seat is a step above any North American carrier's short-haul business product.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by YYZC2:


If you can get CX to ticket the short-transfer itin, I would give it a try. I wouldn't take the risk on seperate tickets, though.</font>


There seems to be no trouble to get CX to issue the ticket with the 55 minute/ 1:10 connections since that's all the Cathay.ca site offers when you put in YYZ-BKK as the request. I guess it is safe to assume they ticket it and they get me there unable to connect it's not my problem other than the waiting time (6 hours worth)?

Other question - is there anywhere you suggest with lower prices than CX's web site that would ticket this in J with a fare class eligible to accumulate AA points? (e.g. not some weird class that is ineligible). Since there is no advantage to booking on line I guess I can call some of the better (non-charter specialist) travel agents in Toronto.

AA sez all first and business flights qualify so I assume if it winds up in D and not J that is still OK. (they do specify for coach only B, H and Y).

Also I an AA platinum (OW Sapphire)so I think I can use lounges regardless of fare class, but for J departures is there a CX lounge in Toronto? Otherwise it's kind of a moot point.

[This message has been edited by ricktoronto (edited Mar 12, 2004).]

55 minutes is okay for CX connections in Hong Kong. It is an efficient airport, and as someone mentions, CX 829 is always early especially during the summer when the headwinds are calm. You will be fine...

Enjoy!
Carfield

And if you don't make the connection, you'll be protected. Being an AA Plat you can use the Wing or Pier business class sections which have showers and a variety of rest spots, as well as the Noodle Bar. The YYZ flight generally docks at gate 1 through 4 which is in the main part of the terminal, just downstairs from the Wing. Most other flights will board from the various piers of HKG, so your walk will be quick to the transit area, then you can chose to take either the train to the far pier [gates 50+], or walk if the gate for the flight to BKK is in the lower numbers.