BinSabai

and flying in F, you could enjoy the buggy ride through the J Lounge, which you wouldn't have if you went as CIQ passenger (there it is only Walking escorted by a ground staff through transit security to F Lounge)

nldogbert

Hi,

Just wanted to share my experience from last Sunday evening. My EY flight arrived about 5 mins late, so that left me with approx 1h15m to connect.

- Immigration was empty, was through within 10 mins of leaving the aircraft (indeed there is no fast track - but also no real counter or strictly enforced counter for the different groups. I used the counters furthest right as you approach).
- Baggage was the longest wait, another 10 mins wait after leaving passport check. My bags were one of the first to come out.
- Took another 5 mins to get from arrival to the departure level and to walk to the far end for the shuttle bus to the domestic terminal. Luckily I was one of the last pax before the bus left a few mins later. Took another 5-10 mins to get to the domestic terminal.
- My worries of long lines to enter was relieved when I saw hardly anyone lining up. Was held up slightly due to the powerbank in my cabin baggage.
- Walked up to the TG counter close to 30 mins before scheduled departure time - since I was not denied check-in, received my boarding pass and bags accepted.

Was super happy that I made it. As mentioned earlier, most of these flights to BKK seems to be departing about 30 mins later (but arriving only 10 mins later than scheduled).
Managed to use the domestic lounge and was again happy that there was no equipment swapped, so I got to ride my 747.

My only regret was due to the stress and happiness to make it, I forgot to ask for the UD or First seats when checking in.

Ironically you can actually walk between the old/new terminal (since that is what I did) airside when boarding my aircraft.
Hope that in the future when the currently (dump) domestic terminal is completed, this connection will be a reality to connect between the 2 terminals.

Cheers! and thanks again to those that gave some insight into this transfer.

BinSabai

thanks for the comprehensive report!

SK AAR

I had a very positive experience yesterday. Flight: MH791 HKT-KUL.

Was dropped off by car at arrival level and entered the terminal at Gate 1. Zero waiting time. A lift immidiately to your left takes you to departure level 3.

A long line for MH check-in but as I had done OLCI and only had to do bagage drop, there was a dedicated desk for this; no line). Agent even tagged bags to final destination (on separate tickets, mind you!) ^

Hardly no line at immigration (all stations seemed to be manned) nor at security check. It worked like a breeze.

All in all it took me around 15 min from entering the terminal until being at the gate. ^

ianjr

Sorry if I've misunderstood. If flying solely domestic on Thai, HKT-BKK return, do I check in and arrive at the 'old' terminal at HKT?
Thanks

SK AAR

You certainly arrive and exit at the old terminal when you arrive on TG from BKK (did that 10 days ago).

I'm not sure whether check-in for flights to BKK is from the new terminal - I think I recall reading somewhere that check-in for domestic flights are still in the old terminal, but I may not be properly updated on that.

Kacee

Actually it depends on the flight. My last flight from BKK arrived at the new terminal.

Domestic departures are from the old terminal. Your driver will have the most updated information. It's their livelihood.

ianjr

Many thanks for the replies. Looking forward to returning later in the year

Lefly

Had BKK-HKT-BKK this week and arrival & departure was from domestic (old) terminal

blahter

Wrong thread

kaffir76

First of all let me apologize as this is likely not the correct forum to post my question but I tried searching on FT, & asking the members of the MH forum.
I didn't get a conclusive answer & I was thinking maybe someone here who has recently traveled to/thru' HKT has the answer.

It's about immediate turnarounds at HKT for my flight from KUL-HKT-KUL.

I'm booked on MH790 -> MH791 with a turnaround time of approx. 45 min., (HBO only, no checked bags).
Will I be able to go back into the departure area from arrivals without having to clear immigration & customs? Who do I approach when I arrive at HKT to help me with this?
There are FT members who reported that this was not possible, & I've only read about 1 who did it.
Is the airport really structured in such a way that every arriving pax has to clear immigration & customs, even if they are on international transits?

SK AAR

I have no experience with immidiate turn-arounds at HKT, but I think your safest bet is to approach the staff (TG or contractor staff?) awaiting in/at the end of the aerobridge and explain your situation.

Just to let you know that there is contradicting information here on FF whether one can stay airside upon disembarkation at HKT when doing a transfer/turn-around. I guess you will have to try it out yourself, but pls let us know how it turned out for you.

templar42

I tried this in October 2016 when I bought one of those HKT-KUL-LHR deals in J. It was impossible.

I flew MH in J KUL-HKT. At the F check in counter in KUL I tried to get them to call ahead to arrange it but they couldn't (they never seem particularly awake at that counter though). They also couldn't print my HKT-KUL-LHR boarding pass.

In flight I befriended the purser and asked him to ask the ground personnel to facilitate a transit as I was flying straight back on MH to KUL. He tried very hard in my presence when we landed, but the ground staff were adamant that there was no way to transit and were not going to make an exception.

The only bright spot was that I avoided the horrendous immigration queue by using the shorter queue for people who need special visas, on the thin grounds that I needed a transit visa.

Edit: I've just noticed you're on immediate turnaround. That's a very challenging situation. I'd rebook your flight if possible. If not possible, make the staff on board the incoming aircraft aware so they at least might wait for you slightly longer before declaring you a no show, but be aware that check in may well have closed by the time you clear immigration. Exit immigration can also be rather slow.

I'll be delighted to hear if there is now a transit facility, but the above is my late 2016 experience, and it's why I wouldn't try an immediate turnaround.

SkyTeam777

Is the Thai Royal Orchid lounge open yet? or still the cordoned off area in the departure hall? Pitiful it has taken so long.

doctoravios

Just as an update, the Thai lounge is still temporary as of last week. HKT is very busy in the afternoon/evenings. I think it would be impossible to attempt a back-to-back because it can take a long time to get through immigration. When I arrived I did see signs marked for "international transit" but it didn't look like the facility was in use. If it is, I suspect you would only be able to use it if you are on a ticket which transits to another international destination and not the same one you departed from. If doing a back-to-back I would allow at least 2 hours between scheduled arrival and scheduled departure to safely make it through immigration and back through departures security if you have checked luggage. If hand baggage only you may be able to get away with less time.

If you are able to use the Coral lounge, it is better than the Thai lounge. But overall, I would try to time your journey so that you don't have to spend too long at the airport because it is pretty chaotic and hard to relax. As quoted earlier in the thread, MH check-in doesn't open until 2 hours before departure. QR opens 3 hours before departure.