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)
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)
Wiki: Back-to-back / immediate turnarounds at Cathay destinations
#107
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: CX Green, QF Platinum, BAEC Silver, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 10,780
#108
Join Date: Apr 2018
Programs: CX
Posts: 3
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!
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!
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.
#110
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Hong Kong, occasionally in London
Programs: CX MPC DM, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Exp
Posts: 173
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!
#111
Join Date: Jan 2017
Programs: BA SL, CX GR, IHG Plat Amb
Posts: 580
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!
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!
#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.
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.
#114
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: Cathay
Posts: 32
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.
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.
#115
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: HKG
Programs: BA Gold OWE
Posts: 216
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
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
#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?
#118
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: HKG
Programs: CX Diamond / OWE
Posts: 277
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.
#119
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: HKG
Programs: CX Diamond / OWE
Posts: 277
#120
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: HKG
Programs: BA(GGL) QF LTS CX AM, Hilton Diamond, PPL(A)
Posts: 1,654
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
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