Sitting at the back of a 747. How long to get off the plane?
 

I'm booked with CX on a 747 going to Hong Kong in a few months, and my seat assignment is at the back of the plane in row 66. How long would you estimate it will take to get off the plane and through customs/immigration in Hong Kong (I'm arriving at 6:55 PM on Saturday, May 31)? I don't need to make a connection, I was just curious. Thanks.

About 10 minutes from when the F passengers disembark for you to get off.

Immigration - function of gate, flight arrival and whether you have HKID, APEC card, HKIA frequent visitor card ... Can be anywhere between 3 minutes to 75 minutes at 6:55pm.

Customs - Unless you are stopped, that can be very fast.

On the average, expect 45-60 min for the entire process if you are a foreigner.

Sitting at the very back of the plane, are we going to be the last ones to get food service? If so, will they likely run out of some food choices?

Yes, and Yes.

Sometimes they serve from the front, and sometimes from the back. I had my choice ran out when I was in the first row in Y. They forgot to ask me what I wanted before they served that time. However, as I do not like CX meals, I just skipped my meal again that time.

It's deceptively longer than you think.

Once you make it through the SARS gauntlet & have your bags, it can be 30+ minutes waiting in line to get into the country.

In April '07, on an off hour, from plane to main concourse was over an hour.

From my experience, on a 747 meal is served from the two ends of the economy section, i.e. from the back to the middle and from the front to the middle. This is perhaps because of the location of the galley. So you will actually likely have what you want.

If there is a second meal, however, it will be served from the middle.

Since your original post, I've moved 20 rows... I'll report back when I get to the door... :-)


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