Gate situation in HKG
 

Just out of curiosity, It seems that around 80% of the time CX 888,882,872, & 828 (To: YVR,LAX,SFO,YYZ) are assigned Gates 1-4 at HKG. If you check out the real flight time information from the HKIA website, you probably will also realize. I know from experience that these gates are the shortest walking distance once you pass through security & immigration. Anyone know why these flights get these desierable gates the majority of the time?

Even when they don't draw 1-4 they almost always get a close gate like 22, 23, 24, 25... sometimes the CX888 YVR draws a further gate and sometimes they draw a remote stand, but that's relatively rare.

Apparently the Airport Authority assigns the gates. Maybe it's because the NA flights are generally full, so CX request them to assign closer gates so that the flights get away on time? Maybe the same rationale that gets CX251/255 gates 1-4 where flights leaving around the similar time, eg CX293, CX101 (FCO, SYD) get shoved out further?

I think it is a prestige thing. The LHR and JFK flights also get these gates often. I think I can count with the fingers of one hand the times I've flown on a regional that left or arrived on gates 1-4.

Somehow that doesn't seem to hold true for my experiences to LHR... recently, LHR flights have been assigned all the way to gate 40-44 resulting in longer walks! I was sitting in the lounge watching the exact plane [which was to be CX253] being towed from gate 4 to gate 41! Could you imagine how annoyed I was! Instead, the 'prime' gates seem to be allocated for regional - medium flights eg Mumbai/Bangkok/KL etc.... and obviously the N.A. flights... but European flights seem to me as being 'gradually' pushed down the terminal... or it could just be luck... you never know what goes on in the ATC.. :D

Adrien.

I always thought that CX had preferential treatment for gates 1-4?

[Edit]

I just checked CX's website, and it says:
So, I'm guessing 1-4 are 4 out of the 6. I wonder what the other two are.

18 is one.

No. The other two CX preferred gates are 21 and 23. Gates 15-19 are preferred gates for Dragonair and Mainland Chinese airlines.

Prove it.

Pickles, you as a CX Silver MPC member, I guess you should have a copy of CX System timetable around, right? Open your eyes and have a look of page 21 of the most recent issue of CX timetable before you asked someone else to prove something that you should have know of. But obviously you don't.

No, I don't have a copy of the CX system timetable around. I saw a stack once at the airport. I don't think I've ever flown out of or into gate 21-23. I always get screwed and end up in 63-70. Sometimes, 1-4, or 18. I might have seen CX planes parked there, but I mostly see United 747s there.

Both times I have taken CX 253 (the afternoon LHR flight), it has left from one of the furthest gates from security. In those situations, I use it as an excuse to visit both the Wing and Pier.

Quesntion, when departing from one of the further gates, do you take the train or just walk there? FWIW, I walk and can cover the distance (with the help of the mving walkways) in just under ten minutes.

gate 1-4 are mainly CX, except when SQ866/865 parks at E1. 15-19 are mainly chinese carriers, KA, KE, GF, GA, OZ, QF, BA. gate 60-70 can also be considered 'CX territory' as The Pier is situated there and most of their pacific flights depart from there. during the afternoons 21 23 25 27 are mainly lined up with SQ, MH, CI and the odd CX

CX 838 to Vancouver always seems departs in the Gate 60-69 range.
(I think it's one of the last long hauls to leave HKG in the late afternoon, and afterwards things seem to get quite for CX [at least for long hauls])

Perhaps CX puts some long haul flights there to encourage passengers (except non flyertalk type people who visit multiple lounges anyways) to visit The Pier instead of The Wing (so if The Wing seems to overcrowded, they will move a one of the later departing long haul flights to the gate 60 range)?

The past 6 times this year I've taken CX504 to NRT in the morning, it pretty much always leaves from gate 1-4. Also the return flight CX505 at night arrives on those same gates, where I presume the same plane would be used for European flights

I would like to think that CX assigns the gates based on the flights that generate the most profit for them.. The higher the yield, the closer the gate.. :p

its mostly a lounge issue. long-haul = people arriving earlier = more use of lounges. aircraft close to lounge = happy passenger.