Cathay City Exploration
May 16, 2015, 1:49 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Shanghai, Beijing, Melbourne, Hong Kong, Singapore, Sydney, Vancouver
Programs: A3 Gold, CX, CA, PCR Platinum Ambassador, Hilton Gold, 1865 Voyager
Posts: 218
Cathay City Exploration
I have a 5 hour layover time in HKG this October.
Just read a few online posts that you can visit the Cathay Headquarter, but you need someone from within to take you in?
Does anyone know the details about that?
Thanks!
Just read a few online posts that you can visit the Cathay Headquarter, but you need someone from within to take you in?
Does anyone know the details about that?
Thanks!
May 16, 2015, 9:39 am
#2
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: CX Diamond / SQ Gold / Bonvoy Platinum / Hyatt Globalist / Hilton Gold
Posts: 1,098
Yes. I believe you need someone to take you in. There are turnstiles and a security guard at the entrance. They register your name and need someone to meet you at the entrance before you are allowed in. I've been invited there several times for meetings and observed a SIM training session.
May 16, 2015, 12:42 pm
#3
formerly gemini573
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: LAX, HKG, and BKK
Programs: CX Emerald, WOH Globalist, Marriott Platinum, AA Lifetime Platinum, Virtuoso, Prive, STEPS, STARS
Posts: 2,233
It's quite nice. They have a canteen, souvenir shop, small museum, and the Headland Hotel. If you're lucky, you can go to the top floor and have lunch there. You get a very nice view of HKIA.
May 16, 2015, 2:51 pm
#4
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Hong Kong, London, Toronto, Bangkok
Programs: MPC, OneWorld, 1865 Voyager, Hyatt, Horizon Club
Posts: 149
It's a really nice place but definitely need someone to escort you/get authorised.
The reason it's called Cathay city is because it's pretty much a city itself - it's got all the essentials! I've watched an evacuation sim and went to see new seats there. Pretty cool place!
The reason it's called Cathay city is because it's pretty much a city itself - it's got all the essentials! I've watched an evacuation sim and went to see new seats there. Pretty cool place!
May 17, 2015, 9:30 pm
#5
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: Marco Polo
Posts: 546
I've been there twice, both times have been excellent, if you don't know anybody who has access than your out of luck other than hanging around the entrance and seeing if somebody would be willing to "sponsor" your visit however that probably wouldn't come off that well.
May 18, 2015, 6:38 pm
#7
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 192
It's pretty much an office building (albeit with a rather nice mezzanine level with shops etc), so you won't get in unless you know someone who works there or have a meeting or something. You could catch the bus there and have a wander around outside and see "Betsy", but you'd have a lot more fun at Disneyland...
May 19, 2015, 1:04 pm
#8
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: San Francisco , CA
Programs: Marco Polo Club; Asia Miles
Posts: 208
Yes. I believe you need someone to take you in. There are turnstiles and a security guard at the entrance. They register your name and need someone to meet you at the entrance before you are allowed in. I've been invited there several times for meetings and observed a SIM training session.
May 19, 2015, 1:57 pm
#9
formerly gemini573
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: LAX, HKG, and BKK
Programs: CX Emerald, WOH Globalist, Marriott Platinum, AA Lifetime Platinum, Virtuoso, Prive, STEPS, STARS
Posts: 2,233
One thing I might add about CX city... Many passengers who are waiting at the gate wonder why they never see the cabin crew board the plane from inside the terminal. They think the plane is going to be delayed cause the crew haven't boarded.
They process all the crew at CX city. Immigration is handled there. They are bussed to the plane.
They process all the crew at CX city. Immigration is handled there. They are bussed to the plane.
May 20, 2015, 1:08 am
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Shanghai, Beijing, Melbourne, Hong Kong, Singapore, Sydney, Vancouver
Programs: A3 Gold, CX, CA, PCR Platinum Ambassador, Hilton Gold, 1865 Voyager
Posts: 218
One thing I might add about CX city... Many passengers who are waiting at the gate wonder why they never see the cabin crew board the plane from inside the terminal. They think the plane is going to be delayed cause the crew haven't boarded.
They process all the crew at CX city. Immigration is handled there. They are bussed to the plane.
They process all the crew at CX city. Immigration is handled there. They are bussed to the plane.
May 20, 2015, 1:55 am
#11
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: MNL
Programs: CX MPO DM, Le Club Accor Platinum, World of Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 2,284
One thing I might add about CX city... Many passengers who are waiting at the gate wonder why they never see the cabin crew board the plane from inside the terminal. They think the plane is going to be delayed cause the crew haven't boarded.
They process all the crew at CX city. Immigration is handled there. They are bussed to the plane.
They process all the crew at CX city. Immigration is handled there. They are bussed to the plane.
May 27, 2015, 12:06 am
#12
Suspended
Join Date: May 2015
Location: YUL/YVR
Posts: 105
One thing I might add about CX city... Many passengers who are waiting at the gate wonder why they never see the cabin crew board the plane from inside the terminal. They think the plane is going to be delayed cause the crew haven't boarded.
They process all the crew at CX city. Immigration is handled there. They are bussed to the plane.
They process all the crew at CX city. Immigration is handled there. They are bussed to the plane.
I see most of them around the luggage claim sometimes.
But is there somewhere else they exit, and take shuttle bus back to the CX City? (those that decide not to take public transit/car home yet).
May 27, 2015, 3:31 pm
#13
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Too many now to keep track of
Programs: A handful of shiny cards
Posts: 221
As far as I'm aware of they exit into the arrivals hall like the rest of us. There is a shuttle that crew can take, since CX City also has the hotel there but those who live in HKG normally just head home.
May 28, 2015, 8:51 pm
#14
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: Marco Polo
Posts: 546
Yes arriving crew go through the arrivals hall just like everybody else but through the crew lane. Foreign based crews can shuttle to the CX city hotel or if they have booked their own hotel will proceed there. But the HK based crews will obviously just head home.