I remember it was discussed on the HK forum and today saw that the information on the HKIA website has been updated:


HX now also lists courtesy channel as a benefit for their Platinum/ Gold members. Is there any info on eligibility (if at all), for the MPC members/ CX Premium Cabin pax? I wish I checked with the Avseco staff yesterday.

Previously (like half a year ago) I read on news saying that as long as the airline willing to pay then whoever they think can use can use....

No worries, for a frugal airlines like Cathay they will surely limit the benefits to DM and maybe GO.

I do worry about other airlines throwing it away. So the "Courtesy Security" might end up to be longer wait than the already efficient HKIA security lines.

The efficient security is precisely the reason Cathay doesn't feel the need to offer it. They could have easily worked with HKIA to add a priority security channel if it had been important to them.

I noticed in December that there was a line for HK Residents when entering the secure area. Is this new? Does this line move faster than the non-HK Residents line?

Just to be clear - at security or at immigration? HK residents have had separate immigration lines for a very long time.

The resident line for security has been there for a while (say over a year), but it does not bring benefit for security. It only brings slightly shorter lines for the preliminary check of matching BP and passport before entering the security check area.
What is new is the creation of a courtesy line (which only mentions pax with special needs).

Oh I didn't know it has been that long, I just never paid attention before. I wasn't sure if it funnelled into it's own security area or not but I guess not.

On a side note, it didn't seem like they were enforcing the "HK Residents" requirement very strictly. I didn't have my HKID out and was never told to go in the other line.

i think this refers to line for elder family pregnant or handicapped. it has been there at where staff entry is, its bypass the preliminery check area and go straight into security check rather empty zone.

This has been my experience since I first flew into Chek Lap Kok with my parents in 2001 even when having a economy or business class ticket (with BA, CX & Qantas).

Arriving into HKIA, if in a wheelchair usually escorted through the staff channel (flight crew exit) far left, security come out, the escort would show their airport staff pass to security, then security would look at your passport or HKID, takes it into a side room then gives it back and opens the security door, you then go onto the baggage area.
If visibly elderly (some people do not look their age) or with young children you are asked/invited to go to an empty security gate/position so you do not have to queue up with everyone else who came off your flight.

Departing HKIA, when my mum needed a wheelchair, after checking in we had to wait for an escort and a wheelchair, the escort took us through the departure/security area, to the far left was the staff channel (flight crew entrance), the escort would show their airport staff pass to security, then security would look at your passport, takes it into a side room then gives it back and opens the security door/gate, you are then invited to join an empty or smaller queue for hand baggage check and overall body check.
When we had our own manually wheelchair we were asked/invited to go to an empty passport check gate/position and then invited to join an empty or smaller queue for hand baggage check and overall body check.

Agreed, I never have to queue for long to go through security at HKIA.

Is pretty much the same speed from personal experience, also, they only check your boarding pass there so I don't think there is a way to tell if you are really a HK resident. I am a HK resident but I travel with my British passport.

I've notice that the HK residents line can be longer than the non-HK residents line, particularly if you get behind a tour group. I just switch to the non-HK residents line.

It doesn't seem that it matters - people are free to line up wherever. Probably the brainchild of a government bureaucrat with too much time on their hands!

huh? i never knew there was any seperation at the BP/passport check....