Go Back  FlyerTalk Forums > Miles&Points > Airlines and Mileage Programs > Cathay Pacific | Cathay
Reload this Page >

Wiki: Back-to-back / immediate turnarounds at Cathay destinations

Community
Wiki Posts
Search
Old Jul 14, 2017, 5:06 pm
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: littlevoices
On the back of a similar thread on the BAEC board, it may be helpful for those going on miles / tier point runs to know which destinations are preferable for back-to-back / immediate turnarounds.

Thanks to all who have contributed so far. Please add to the below if you have experience of this at any Cathay destinations (edit the wiki below directly if you have recent experience of any destination or you are 100% certain)

Definitions:
- Excellent: you will leave the aircraft and find yourself in the boarding area for departure ("Changi T1, T2, T3 model but not T4, CX's terminal" - no segregation of arriving and departing passengers)
- Good: you have to clear central security and/or immigration before reboarding, but the typical walking + queuing time required and the aircraft turnaround time should be fine
- Possible: you have to clear central security and/or immigration before reboarding, but the typical walking + queuing time required and the aircraft turnaround time make this more risky
- Not possible

Mainland China: Not possible, especially back-to-back (same aircraft) - i.e. XMN, TAO, FUC, CTU, XIY and others
BCN: good (though note it is a 6-hour turnaround so will need to wait)
BOS: possible (though will need to go through immigration and customs and reenter via landside) Although Immigration lines can be atrocious at BOS, there are very few international flights landing at that hour, so it should be reasonable.
CDG: good (though BAEC board does not think so)
CGK: possible (unhelpful transit desk; APEC cardholders may find it more predictable to exit and reenter via landside)
CMB: excellent (though need to print return CMB-HKG boarding pass in advance - see separate thread)
DAD: not possible for U-turns.
EWR: possible (though need to clear immigration and customs and reenter via landside)
HAN: not possible for U-turns.
HKG: good (still need to reclear central security, but efficient. May require high speed walking depending on respective arrival and departure gates. No immigration required)
HND: good (need to clear security; ample time buffer)
IAD: good (though need to clear immigration and customs and reenter via landside)
ICN: good (transfer security available at satellite terminal - no need to take train to main terminal, no immigration)
JFK: possible for CX846/845 and CX888/841 (though need to clear immigration and customs and reenter via landside). Not possible for other flights
JNB: good (though note it is a 6-hour turnaround so will need to wait)
KHH: good
KTM: Possible, but get ISM to notify ground staff so they will assign an escort to take you through all the step. Not Possible without escort
KUL: excellent
LAX: possible for CX880/881 (though need to clear immigration and customs and reenter via landside). Not possible for other flights
LHR: These are 2 hour transit time combos: CX257/238; CX239/256; CX253/254. Walk to gate 3x can be LONG; intermediate transit security area.
Morning arrivals require 6 hrs transit times for 1200ish departures
MAD: good (though note it is a 6-hour turnaround so will need to wait)
MXP: good (though note it is a 6-hour turnaround so will need to wait)
MLE: good (subject to update on separate thread)
MNL: good (best to plan your turnaround on the next flight to be safe. CX906/900 and 918/902/934 depart close to each other to minimise time wastage). No need to clear immigration however your passport will be taken for processing which may take as much as 30-40 minutes.
NRT: possible (need to clear security; tighter turnarounds)
ORD: not possible
PEK: n/a - regular delays mean this is not a viable miles run route (only try to do so if you have a flex ticket)
PVG: n/a - regular delays mean this is not a viable miles run route
SFO: possible for CX872/873 and CX892/893 (though need to clear immigration and customs and reenter via landside). Not possible for other flights
SGN: not possible for U-turns.
SIN: possible, T4-T4 transit may pose some surprise to the staff
SYD: good - transit security but no immigration needed
TPE: good (still need to reclear central security, but efficient and usually empty transit facility)
Print Wikipost

Wiki: Back-to-back / immediate turnarounds at Cathay destinations

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 15, 2018, 3:39 am
  #166  
Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member
Posts: 19,796
Originally Posted by whiskyfan
I managed to fly to CMB and back to HK without any issues but am worried that this will come up again when I have my next turnaround. I wanted to see whether anyone has been given the reason of immigration issues when being denied the CMB to HK boarding pass, which seems new to me.
Probably something a genius in AHQ coded in (so the gate agent was not lying but responding to some lie AHQ typed up), probably in response to some complaint by CMB MOD (who've been complained against by some irate customer missing a turnaround).

Sri Lankan immigration appears to have nothing to do with it or else you would've pulled aside by them.
percysmith is online now  
Old Dec 15, 2018, 7:40 pm
  #167  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: BOS/UTH
Programs: AA LT PLT; QR GLD; Bonvoy LT TIT
Posts: 12,753
Originally Posted by whiskyfan
Yesterday morning, I checked in at HK station and tried to get my boarding pass for the CMB to HK leg. ... (as you would also need to obtain a visa on arrival).
You didn't mention what passport you hold, but tourists are now required to register in advance for an electronic visa. When you get to the Immigration both, your info will already be in the officer's computer and it you'll get through in no time. The only exceptions are holders of passports from Singapore and Maldives.
Dr. HFH is offline  
Old Dec 15, 2018, 8:15 pm
  #168  
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Programs: Marco Polo Club Diamond
Posts: 10
Originally Posted by Dr. HFH
You didn't mention what passport you hold, but tourists are now required to register in advance for an electronic visa. When you get to the Immigration both, your info will already be in the officer's computer and it you'll get through in no time. The only exceptions are holders of passports from Singapore and Maldives.
But as someone who is just turning around and with no intention of entering Sri Lanka, I shouldn’t need an ETA or visa on arrival. Unfortunately I am not from a visa exempt country, so I would need one if I had to enter.

Originally Posted by percysmith
Probably something a genius in AHQ coded in (so the gate agent was not lying but responding to some lie AHQ typed up), probably in response to some complaint by CMB MOD (who've been complained against by some irate customer missing a turnaround).

Sri Lankan immigration appears to have nothing to do with it or else you would've pulled aside by them.
Interesting theory which makes sense. Agreed that immigration had nothing to do with it. No one pulled me aside. All that happened was that the guy at security looked at my boarding pass and then the CX check in lady looked at my passport and scanned my boarding pass, before tearing off the stub as usual. If only they didn’t use whatever antiquated technology they are using and we could use a mobile boarding pass, then all this hassle could be avoided.

Originally Posted by HKGglobaltrotter
It doesn't make sense that the Sri Lankan authorities want to crack down on this - why would they? You're just like any of the transit pax passing thru CMB. FYI I had my turnaround at the end of last month (a couple of week before you) and check in staff at Kowloon station had no problems issuing the inbound boarding pass for me. It did take the staff a little time but that was due to her being quite new and at the end she managed. Would be good if others going to do the CMB turnaround in the near future report back here so we can get better ideas on this boarding pass issue.
The staff at HK station claimed that this requirement came into effect in November which makes no sense if you were able to get the boarding pass at Kowloon and I was able to subsequently convince the staff at HK airport to issue it for me. But definitely want to hear from others who have upcoming turnaround trips to see what other “reasons” CX may come up with.
whiskyfan is offline  
Old Dec 15, 2018, 8:34 pm
  #169  
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
 
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,019
Originally Posted by whiskyfan
But as someone who is just turning around and with no intention of entering Sri Lanka, I shouldn’t need an ETA or visa on arrival. Unfortunately I am not from a visa exempt country, so I would need one if I had to enter.
For China, and I assume other countries as well, you definitely need a visa (or HRP, RP, etc) if you plan on returning to the country from which you arrive.
moondog is online now  
Old Dec 15, 2018, 9:55 pm
  #170  
Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member
Posts: 19,796
Originally Posted by whiskyfan
But as someone who is just turning around and with no intention of entering Sri Lanka, I shouldn’t need an ETA or visa on arrival. Unfortunately I am not from a visa exempt country, so I would need one if I had to enter.
Oh. So a VOA isn't required? Then your transit will be looking something like this:

Information as of 16DEC18 / 0455 UTCNational Hong Kong (SAR China) (HK)
Embarkation Hong Kong (SAR China) (HK)
Transit Sri Lanka (LK)
Destination Hong Kong (SAR China) (HK)
ALSO CHECK DESTINATION INFORMATION BELOW
Sri Lanka (LK)


TWOV (Transit Without Visa):
Visa required, except for Passengers with a confirmed onward
ticket for a flight to a third country within 8 hours. They
must stay in the international transit area of the airport and
have documents required for the next destination.
Visa Issuance:
percysmith is online now  
Old Dec 16, 2018, 12:27 am
  #171  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: BOS/UTH
Programs: AA LT PLT; QR GLD; Bonvoy LT TIT
Posts: 12,753
Originally Posted by whiskyfan
But as someone who is just turning around and with no intention of entering Sri Lanka, I shouldn’t need an ETA or visa on arrival. Unfortunately I am not from a visa exempt country, so I would need one if I had to enter.
The only countries which are not eligible for ETA are Singapore and Maldives. Residents of those countries don't need one on the basis of reciprocity.
Dr. HFH is offline  
Old Dec 16, 2018, 12:37 am
  #172  
Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member
Posts: 19,796
Originally Posted by whiskyfan
that I would have to pass through immmigration and then get back in, meaning that the 1 hr 15 mins between the flights would not be enough (as you would also need to obtain a visa on arrival)
The rationale is false

Not that it would be the first time CX lied
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/cath...olo-agent.html
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/cath...-closures.html
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/cath...ve-flight.html
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/cath...nt-lie-me.html
percysmith is online now  
Old Dec 25, 2018, 12:12 am
  #173  
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Posts: 1
Hello all, been a long time lurker here on FT and just wanted to report after completing a CMB turnaround plus an onward connection on CX (1.5 hrs after 610 arrival) last week. Checked in at HKG with the agent discussing with a supervisor for 25 mins, and telling me that something has happened in CMB etc. In the end still managed to print out the return boarding pass as well as the onward transfer from HKG (about 1.5 hrs from 610 arrival), with bags checked to final destination. Checked bags also reached final destination without a problem.
hkgcxflyer is offline  
Old Dec 26, 2018, 4:31 am
  #174  
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Programs: Marco Polo Club Diamond
Posts: 10
Originally Posted by hkgcxflyer
Hello all, been a long time lurker here on FT and just wanted to report after completing a CMB turnaround plus an onward connection on CX (1.5 hrs after 610 arrival) last week. Checked in at HKG with the agent discussing with a supervisor for 25 mins, and telling me that something has happened in CMB etc. In the end still managed to print out the return boarding pass as well as the onward transfer from HKG (about 1.5 hrs from 610 arrival), with bags checked to final destination. Checked bags also reached final destination without a problem.
Great to hear that you got all your boarding passes, even if you had to wait 25 mins!

whiskyfan is offline  
Old Dec 31, 2018, 8:04 pm
  #175  
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: HKG,SIN,CAN
Programs: CX MPC DM, HU FWC Gold
Posts: 213
Anyone tried HAN(Hanoi) turnaround?
pointsifu likes this.
pochi is offline  
Old Jan 2, 2019, 3:57 am
  #176  
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: PVG
Programs: BA Gold, TK E+, ex AA EXP
Posts: 510
Originally Posted by pochi
Anyone tried HAN(Hanoi) turnaround?
This one is about to become very popular!
pvgman is offline  
Old Jan 2, 2019, 4:11 am
  #177  
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Singapore
Programs: Cathay Diamond and Singapore Gold
Posts: 227
Think why not some kind hearted soul help out with SGN HAN and DAD?
Microtat is online now  
Old Jan 2, 2019, 5:00 am
  #178  
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: HKG,SIN,CAN
Programs: CX MPC DM, HU FWC Gold
Posts: 213
Originally Posted by pvgman
This one is about to become very popular!
according to the news,

You CANNOT do a HKG-Vietnam-HKG transit or turnaround
pochi is offline  
Old Jan 2, 2019, 5:10 am
  #179  
Suspended
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: None any more
Posts: 11,017
If CX were being really smart they would have already done a deal with the Vietnam authorities where they made airside turnarounds impossible and CX got a cut on the visa fees that result.
christep is offline  
Old Jan 6, 2019, 2:49 am
  #180  
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 10
How about a MFM-Vietnam-HKG transit? does that count as a different country?
Marco Lo is offline  


Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.