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 May 7, 2018, 7:09 pm
  #106  
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Programs: BA SL, CX GR, IHG Plat Amb
Posts: 580
Originally Posted by kaka

yes
same plane return
Would it be tight to go through security (and immigration?) within the hour? It would be very helpful if a B2B can be done with CAN.
SLGO is offline  
Old May 7, 2018, 7:43 pm
  #107  
sxc
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Accor Contributor Badge
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: CX Green, QF Platinum, BAEC Silver, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 10,780
Originally Posted by mpoflyer
Anyone know whether CAN is possible for turnaround flights? Thanks!
Originally Posted by kaka

yes
same plane return
Please see discussion a little bit upthread:

https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/cath...l#post29534930
sxc is offline  
Old May 7, 2018, 11:50 pm
  #108  
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Programs: CX
Posts: 3
Originally Posted by mpoflyer
1: I've done turnaround in Beijing in Feb, taking the morning flight KA900 to PEK and immediately KA901 back to HKG. Transit time was like ~1 hour. I did it and even had time at the lounge since KA901 was delayed. Not sure about 996/997 as they are redeye flights. Traffic may not be as clear as early in the morning as my case, but I think it's not risky.

2: Probably they will put u into the next flight. Just call ticketing / Marco Polo (if u r a member) to link up your bookings and request meet n assist service upon arrival at PEK.

3: I am not sure, better phone Asia Miles/ Marco Polo

4: Better do it in the lounge when u r in HKG. Staff at the HKG check-in counters are unlikely to be willing to help u print the return flight boarding pass for u on a separate booking. But anyway, if u requested meet n assist upon arrival at pek, probably the pek staff will still bring u to their transit desk and print u ur boarding pass. That was what happened in feb when I flew my turnaround flight.

5: Certainly!
Thank you mpoflyer! Great to hear your transit went smoothly. In any case, I think I will go with the earlier KA906 flight which will involve a 5hr transit - leaving plenty of buffer for delays on the inbound. Just don't want to take the risk with KA996 being the last flight of the day.

Thanks for the tip to link up my bookings and requesting the meet n assist - very useful to know if I end up going with the same plane turnaround.
reddevil94 is offline  
Old May 8, 2018, 8:54 am
  #109  
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 612
Is a direct turn at CMB still allowed? I've read yes and no on various sites.
illico is offline  
Old Jun 3, 2018, 8:13 pm
  #110  
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Hong Kong, occasionally in London
Programs: CX MPC DM, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Exp
Posts: 173
Originally Posted by SLGO

Would it be tight to go through security (and immigration?) within the hour? It would be very helpful if a B2B can be done with CAN.
Anyone correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think one needs to go through immigration when transferring international to international in CAN.

But would appreciate some input as to the actual feasibility of doing a same plane return in CAN. Seen Kaka's reply above that it is doable but am just wondering whether a connection that falls well below the MCT cause any complications.

Many thanks!
freakinflyer001 is offline  
Old Jun 3, 2018, 8:53 pm
  #111  
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Programs: BA SL, CX GR, IHG Plat Amb
Posts: 580
Originally Posted by freakinflyer001
Anyone correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think one needs to go through immigration when transferring international to international in CAN.

But would appreciate some input as to the actual feasibility of doing a same plane return in CAN. Seen Kaka's reply above that it is doable but am just wondering whether a connection that falls well below the MCT cause any complications.

Many thanks!
I have recently been to CAN with KA’s night flight. Upon arrival, the international transfer counter/pathway was closed and all passengers were required to proceed to immigration and enter into mainland China. So it seems that B2B could be tight unless you have the return BP in hand and no long queues at immigration and security.
SLGO is offline  
Old Jun 4, 2018, 8:07 am
  #112  
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 372
Anybody know how SGN is setup? Is same plane connection possible?
SAN_Finn is offline  
Old Jun 4, 2018, 11:12 am
  #113  
 
Join Date: Mar 2018
Programs: Cathay Pacific
Posts: 34
anyone experienced a turnaround flight In KMG?

is it possible to check in and print the boarding pass for KMG to HKG flight in Hong Kong airport? if yes, I think there are enough time to pass thru immigration and then go back to the departure floor and go thru the immigration and security check then boarding.
eric0429 is offline  
Old Jun 5, 2018, 10:22 am
  #114  
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: Cathay
Posts: 32
Originally Posted by eric0429
anyone experienced a turnaround flight In KMG?

is it possible to check in and print the boarding pass for KMG to HKG flight in Hong Kong airport? if yes, I think there are enough time to pass thru immigration and then go back to the departure floor and go thru the immigration and security check then boarding.
They usually dont issue BP in HKG due to security issues apparently. I just did this last week and ended up missing my flight back. I was stuck at immi and the local station manager was of no help. He even asked me to warn others like me that he would not keep counters open anymore as several flights have been delayed recently due to turnaround pax. I have a HRP BTW.
Comrade Crunch is offline  
Old Jun 28, 2018, 10:28 am
  #115  
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: HKG
Programs: BA Gold OWE
Posts: 216
Originally Posted by fakecd
yes i always book the same plane in/out which have near 1.5hr layover. if you are really into it like me, check which "earlier" flight uses long haul eqipment and try to time to get on earlier flight with long haul.

almost always you will have a seat unless u travel in midst of holiday. the gate agent will try to discourage you to swtich to pending departing flight by saying you wont get meal service but just say thats no problem, again i almost always had meal even at last row of 77H
Going to try this tomorrow, fingers crossed!
toplayer is offline  
Old Jul 6, 2018, 7:37 pm
  #116  
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: WAS, SZX, HKG
Programs: AS MVP Gold 75K, CX Green
Posts: 735
Anyone has any ideas about how doable is a direct turnaround in KTM? Appears that the flight from HKG arrives 2200hrs and departs 2310hrs. Are there any transit facilities in KTM?
shd9 is offline  
Old Aug 19, 2018, 11:37 pm
  #117  
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: HKG
Programs: BA(GGL) QF LTS CX AM, Hilton Diamond, PPL(A)
Posts: 1,654
Anyone experienced SUB turnaround?
Possible?

Edit: just checked - seems like going to SUB requires an overnight!
ermen is offline  
Old Aug 20, 2018, 5:30 am
  #118  
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: HKG
Programs: CX Diamond / OWE
Posts: 277
Originally Posted by illico
Is a direct turn at CMB still allowed? I've read yes and no on various sites.
Not sure if my reply is still relevant, but YES - it's still allowed. I did a turnaround at CMB in July and I was told when I checked in at HK station that because the connection time is too tight, they were unable to issue me the ticket for the inbound flight. What a load of BS. I argued with them that I had done this before, many times. The manager came out, did a few checks, still said no - not possible

If this happens to you, once you arrive in CMB instead of turning left to clear immigration, turn right and you will see the Transfer Desk. CX should have alerted ground staff and they will be expecting you.

I did another turnaround in CMB last week, this time I checked-in at HKG airport and it went without a hitch. In fact, I had one of those innocent staff who asked me - "Why would you want to do this flight, Ms F??" LOL.
flubber is offline  
Old Aug 20, 2018, 5:33 am
  #119  
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: HKG
Programs: CX Diamond / OWE
Posts: 277
Originally Posted by ermen
Anyone experienced SUB turnaround?
Possible?

Edit: just checked - seems like going to SUB requires an overnight!
Hmm now you got me curious! Are you doing a MR from SUB?
flubber is offline  
Old Aug 20, 2018, 7:33 pm
  #120  
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: HKG
Programs: BA(GGL) QF LTS CX AM, Hilton Diamond, PPL(A)
Posts: 1,654
Originally Posted by flubber
Hmm now you got me curious! Are you doing a MR from SUB?
no but i'm thinking of doing ex-CMB to CGK/SUB

SUB seems cheaper than CGK for whatever reason by c.US$250 but will require an overnight from me. CGK most probably too!

https://www.google.com/flights/?f=0&...;sc:b;sd:1;t:f

https://www.google.com/flights/?f=0&...;sc:b;sd:1;t:f
flubber likes this.
ermen 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.