United757

Long story short I'm looking at booking a trip which would involve a direct turn in Colombo, arriving from Singapore on CX711 at 10:15PM and departing to Singapore on CX710 at 12:40AM (both segments in business class).

Does anyone have any experience with doing this? Would the check-in agents in Singapore be able to issue my roundtrip boarding passes? Otherwise, is there a Cathay Pacific transit desk in Colombo? I assume I wouldn't have to clear immigration and could instead stay airside for the connection?

Lastly, just out of curiosity, does anyone know if there's a crew change on the two segments (Singapore to Colombo to Singapore), so I know how awkward it'll be if I have the same crew in both directions?

Thanks!

ermen

I have done this recently.

1/ Not sure if SIN can issue boarding pass. I tried to ask for one before and was told by the noobie check-in agent that she would have to speak to her supervisor. I didn't bother waiting as it seemed like a hassle so not sure if it is possible

2/ There is no dedicated CX checkin desk airside but transfers are handled by the Sri Lankan transfer desk so ask there first. Last time I flew in from BKK (UL) and transfered to CX, I used that desk so no problem at all. However next time, when I really did the CX round-trip like you, I went landside as the queue at the transit desk was pretty long. Bad mistake. I would avoid going landside as i) you may need to buy a proper tourist visa (i had a $0 transit visa the last time and the immigration officer got narky at me) and ii) the queues to get back airside are pretty long - so no real savings in time by waiting at the transit desk.

3/ Crew was different on the return

Let us know how you go. I would be most interested to hear if you could get your boarding pass in SIN as this will be by far the most efficient and stress free method.

Carfield

I have done it countless times...

1. SIN cannot issue the boarding pass for the return segment (same as HK) but it is not a big deal because CMB is a very small airport. But please report if something has changed.

2. Yes you have to check in at the UL (Sri Lankan Airlines) transit desk - you can't miss it as it is the only one. But please be aware that the agent will need to bring your passport/travel documents to the CX desk in the departure level. If you are flying in J or an elite, please let the agent know so they will either have someone escorting you to the lounge or give you a lounge invitation. They will bring you the boarding passes and travel documents back to you in thirty to forty-five minutes. If no lounge access, you will have to wait there in front of the transit desks and there are ample seating there.

3. I have done the turnaround in J and each time I let the check in agent in HKG knowing that I am doing a turnaround and have him/her sent a telefax or put a note notifying the agents at CMB that I am doing a same day turnaround. In all cases, they will send an agent (a UL one) to pick me up at the gate and if you find an experienced one, s/he will just take your passport and ticket and bring you straight to the lounge. And if you are very lucky, they may even have all the return boarding passes issued, but that only happened once. Anyway I feel better if I let them know about my intent, so in case of delays, they can make arrangement. But I am not sure if they will do it for Y passengers with no elite status.

4. Sri Lankan requires visa now... And you can apply online. I always apply for it just in case of emergency. It is not that expensive. I just like to play it safe.

It is honestly a relatively simple process and please report back if there are any changes.

Carfield

fakecd

Online boarding pass printing has been hit/miss for me. On same itinery within 24 hours of transit I was unable to print my second boarding pass. I say "hit/miss" cuz sometimes it worked. I haven't done enough of same-day turn around to establish a pattern.

Maybe it works by checkin first for 2nd flight and print boarding pass, then check-in for first one....

ermen

Thanks for your tips Carfield. I didn't know that you could get someone to pick you up at the gate. Next time will try to get SIN to fax through.

Fakecd: i dont believe that CX can issue online boarding passes for CMB yet...

ernestnywang

MCT-wise not an issue.