Cathay Pacific Asia Miles - 70-minute connection in HKG

Hi all--

I'm looking to buy my parents a MNL-JFK ticket. They'll be travelling by themselves. I'm finding that the shortest travel time between MNL and JFK is via CX, clocking at 18hr 45min via HKG, but the connection time in HKG is only 70 minutes. My parents are in their late 60s, they can still walk, but obviously can't walk fast or run. Also, they've never done this route before (they usually go NW via NRT), so they're not familiar with the HKG transfer.

Is 70 mins connection time cutting it close for senior citizens? I'm not familiar with HKG, so I don't know how easy it is to figure out the connections. I'm not worried too about the timeliness of the MNL-HKG leg, because any international flight coming out of MNL is usually on time (except if there are weather problems, of course). What I'm worried about is the distances between gates.

Has anyone done this 18hr 45min MNL-HKG-JFK itinerary before?

Thanks in advance for any info.

Hi all--

I'm looking to buy my parents a MNL-JFK ticket. They'll be travelling by themselves. I'm finding that the shortest travel time between MNL and JFK is via CX, clocking at 18hr 45min via HKG, but the connection time in HKG is only 70 minutes. My parents are in their late 60s, they can still walk, but obviously can't walk fast or run. Also, they've never done this route before (they usually go NW via NRT), so they're not familiar with the HKG transfer.

Is 70 mins connection time cutting it close for senior citizens? I'm not familiar with HKG, so I don't know how easy it is to figure out the connections. I'm not worried too about the timeliness of the MNL-HKG leg, because any international flight coming out of MNL is usually on time (except if there are weather problems, of course). What I'm worried about is the distances between gates.
Has anyone done this 18hr 45min MNL-HKG-JFK itinerary before?

Thanks in advance for any info.

I have flown SFO-MNL a few times over the last year. My connection time has been 70 minutes and it has not been a problem. I am not a senior but never rushed to my connection either. My last flight there was a large group of senior citizens and they didn’t seem to have any problems making the connection.

Just book 1 or 2 wheelchairs for them - do this for my 85 years old mother all the time and it works great.

Minimum connection time CX-CX is 50 minutes.

70 minutes is more than enough.

The layout of HKG is pretty efficient and passenger-friendly, and the 70 minute connection is absolutely doable.

Hi all--

I'm looking to buy my parents a MNL-JFK ticket. They'll be travelling by themselves. I'm finding that the shortest travel time between MNL and JFK is via CX, clocking at 18hr 45min via HKG, but the connection time in HKG is only 70 minutes. My parents are in their late 60s, they can still walk, but obviously can't walk fast or run. Also, they've never done this route before (they usually go NW via NRT), so they're not familiar with the HKG transfer.

Is 70 mins connection time cutting it close for senior citizens? I'm not familiar with HKG, so I don't know how easy it is to figure out the connections. I'm not worried too about the timeliness of the MNL-HKG leg, because any international flight coming out of MNL is usually on time (except if there are weather problems, of course). What I'm worried about is the distances between gates.

Has anyone done this 18hr 45min MNL-HKG-JFK itinerary before?

Thanks in advance for any info.

No worries.

1) The Cathay time of flight (like most airlines nowadays) is purposely inflated. My HKG-JFK leg always says arrival time to NYC at 2:00 p.m., but every time I arrived a good hour early (1 p.m.)

2) CX usually provide "transfer" personnel on the ground to assist you, they will even call out your location (and in extreme cases your name.)

3) HKG airport is very well designed that from point to point it shouldn't be more than 20 min. 70 minutes is more than enough.

Of course this all assumes there are no flight delays, mechanical problems, etc.

My (involuntary) track record is still 15 minutes. And the gates were not close...

Thanks for all your responses.

I'm now just working on my father regarding the wheelchair. He quite adamantly insists he can still walk between gates of any airport in the world, so this may be an impossible mission on my part.

But if my wheelchair campaign fails, knowing that the consensus is that 70 minutes is more than enough time (even for slow walkers) is comforting.

Thanks for all your responses.

I'm now just working on my father regarding the wheelchair. He quite adamantly insists he can still walk between gates of any airport in the world, so this may be an impossible mission on my part.

But if my wheelchair campaign fails, knowing that the consensus is that 70 minutes is more than enough time (even for slow walkers) is comforting.

I think CX would put them on a wheelchair and get them over incase the MNL flight is late. If it's not, I guess they'd be ok. with 70 mins for transit. sometimes the gates can be surprisingly close, although there maybe a short walk due to the segregation of arriving and departing pax

Why not ask CX for Meet And Assist service for the transfer? It's free and they will escort your parents from gate to gate. If necessary they will get wheelchairs or possibly even a buggy. You can book it through your local CX reservations office.

Thanks for all your responses.

I'm now just working on my father regarding the wheelchair. He quite adamantly insists he can still walk between gates of any airport in the world, so this may be an impossible mission on my part.

But if my wheelchair campaign fails, knowing that the consensus is that 70 minutes is more than enough time (even for slow walkers) is comforting.

Seems older people are all like this... My mother also insisted she can walk - but after using the wheelchair service the first time she sees this as an extra perk.
Tell your father the old joke of the two toddlers:
First: I am really intelligent. I was able to walk when i was 4 month old.
Second: You are really stupid. I had people still carrying me when i was two years old.

Seems older people are all like this... My mother also insisted she can walk - but after using the wheelchair service the first time she sees this as an extra perk.

Same for my father! Old people do not want to admit being old, until they see the benefits.

Why not ask CX for Meet And Assist service for the transfer? It's free and they will escort your parents from gate to gate. If necessary they will get wheelchairs or possibly even a buggy. You can book it through your local CX reservations office.

Or ask when checking-in. (Sometimes the check-in agents will ask the passenger anyway).

I seldom transit in HKG, but for most airports, using the wheelchair service can help in clearing the security if there happens to be a long line.