Hello, first post here. I'm a slightly frequent flyer but never really got into it, so apologies if I don't "speak the language". I need to get from Spain to Hong Kong before Christmas, and the cheapest I can find is LX for EUR615

19:45 MAD - 21:55 ZRH / LX 2033
22:40 ZRH - 17:25 +1 HKG / LX 138

According to this thread, 45 mins transfer is doable... however I'm an Aussie and I will be entering Schengen from Gibraltar. Am I likely to encounter any problems? Is LX2033 operated by Swiss and would it be better to check bags or not?

(There is also LX 2027 which leaves MAD at 1525, but my friend's flight will probably be in the evening and I don't want to leave her by herself in the airport. The other alternative is SU but after reading this forum I doubt that 1hr will suffice for SVO. Also LX earns UA miles - my uncle signed me up to UA when we went round the U.S. 10 yrs ago and I was too lazy to get into another Star Alliance program)

Just for interest, I took LX138 around the same time last year on LHR-ZRH-HKG but with 2hrs transit time and obviously no passport control. Everyone in economy got 3 seats to themselves (but LX139 was full), and the flight was delayed for de-icing. However if it doesn't snow then I'm sure it would have left on time.

Thanks for any advice.