Originally Posted by QRC3288

I am not sure if CX will interline to Thai, others will know better. *Is it possible to change your thread title to include "Interline Cathay to Thai"?* That might help you get some more responses.

2:10 is normally a very comfortable (even lengthy!) connection at HKIA if interlining. If interline isn't possible, the next best option is to do an airside check - ie, go to the transit desk, inform them of the situation, and they can pull the bag. Worst case scenario is exit immigration, reclaim bags, and re-enter. I am not sure whether you can interline, airside check or must retrieve, but can at least comment on your worst case scenario.

I've done this worst-case scenario many times. I can generally count on being airside again 30 minutes (good) to 45 minutes (bad) from wheels down on the runway, so this includes taxi time too. A not perfect but frequent rule of thumb in HK is the longer your taxi after landing, the shorter your walk to immigration. And vice versa. This isn't always the case but it's true often enough.

I do have two mechanisms that speed things up: HK ID (skip lines at both entrance and departure immigration), and CX DM status, which gives me F priority baggage tags. So immigration status and baggage tags are you two key variables. Security going back airside is always a breeze for everyone...the variable on re-entering is immigration, which for non-HKID/Frequent Visitor Cardholders can sometimes be a 10-15 minute wait.

CX bags are very good about coming out quickly in HKG if you have priority tags. Are you J or F? Or elite status? If not, I would add another 15 minutes on the baggage estimate. And if you don't have HKID/Frequent Visitor Card, I would add another 20 minutes to be safe for combined immigration. So perhaps 35 minutes or so longer than my estimate would be safe. Call it 1hr05mins from wheels down in a good scenario, and maybe 1hr20mins+ in a bad scenario. Either way, although you may be a little flustered, I think you should have no problem for your 2:10 connection (provided your inbound flight is not super late). I think these estimates are conservative and you could be faster.

******Update******kaka has pointed out something I didn't consider, Thai is in Terminal 2. Add another 15 minutes round-trip and you'll need to walk quickly. You are definitely a lot better if you can get this rechecked at the transit desk instead of schlepping all the way over to T2. You are going to be sweating and, if your inbound flight is delayed, definitely somewhat stressed.