Originally Posted by
jerry_greece
I made my favorite hobby to decrypt itineraries post on FT with incomplete info
OP, is it correct you fly on a Saturday, arriving GVA at 11.05 on A3, departing to PEK on 12.20? If that's the case, then there is no earlier flight to GVA (A3 is the first one), let alone the connection from CFU (which needs to be the first flight of the day so as to connet to GVA). You will be at the mercy of the check-in agent in CFU (who also might not be that used to such complex situations), therefore you might want to start looking for alternatives to arrive GVA the day before if possible.
Correct,except overnight in Athens. Unfortunately A3 really dropped the ball this time, failing to inform me when the schedule change occured. Now all earlier flights are full, so no option to arrive day before at GVA unless I entirely rebook onto another airline, which at Xmas prices is about as much as the flight to SGN. Plan B is get to Athens and try a checkin agent there if CFU agent refused to check through to SGN - though I've heard most are just as clueless there vis-a-vis interlining. Saving grace is *G, where in my experience in Athens the checkin agents are more clued up, and Aegean office that could be called on to compel check-in staff to get on with it. Reduces risk?
If interline is successful 75 minute transfer in GVA seems pretty safe, no security to pass through at GVA I don't believe and A3 have a good on-time record on that morning flight.
As for Plan C... Maybe leave the bag in left luggage in ATH for a friend to collect if we can't get it on the plane.