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
#197
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: ADL
Programs: QF WP, QP Life, LT Gold, AA, DL
Posts: 142
I did this 18 months ago. The transit channel was closed, so it was through immigration and customs, outside, upstairs, through security and then through to the lounge. It was very quick. Maybe 15 mins total. It was late evening though.
#198
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: HKG
Programs: BA(GGL) QF LTS CX AM, Hilton Diamond, PPL(A)
Posts: 1,654
i was thinking of arriving on the CX 797 arrive 11pm then out on CX796 0015.
hope to get return BP to make things easier (though last time at CGK when I got a return BP, they "offloaded" me at the gate because I did not present myself at the counter!)
#199
Join Date: Oct 2012
Programs: CX - DM; Hilton - Diamond, Marriott - Titanium
Posts: 542
Great news for CMB turnaround - you can now print your own boarding pass for the return sector (ex-CMB). I just did my online check in and there was an option to self-print your boarding pass which wasn't available before. Mobile boarding pass is still unavailable however.
I will report back if there's any problems but assume none since it allows pax to print their own boarding pass.
I will report back if there's any problems but assume none since it allows pax to print their own boarding pass.
#200
Join Date: Dec 2018
Programs: Marco Polo Club Diamond
Posts: 10
Great news for CMB turnaround - you can now print your own boarding pass for the return sector (ex-CMB). I just did my online check in and there was an option to self-print your boarding pass which wasn't available before. Mobile boarding pass is still unavailable however.
I will report back if there's any problems but assume none since it allows pax to print their own boarding pass.
I will report back if there's any problems but assume none since it allows pax to print their own boarding pass.
#201
Join Date: Jun 2013
Programs: CX DM/OWE, Marriott Titanium, Avis Preferred, National EE
Posts: 128
Anyone have any suggestions for a milage run over 2 days? Im booked HK to BKK on March 4 CX755 and return bkk to hk on March 5 CX656. I was thinking an immediate turn from BKK to somewhere in SEA, then back in time the next day to catch the 1620 flight back to HK..... looking at cheapo business class D/I class ex BKK..... Thinking Manila or Taipei or even SIN since CX essentially runs a shuttle service between these areas...
#202
formerly mattking2000
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: DXB
Programs: BA|AC|AZ|SPG|H|FPC
Posts: 1,183
On another note....
Has anyone with a HRP managed to do a back-to-back on the morning CAN flight? Saw a few mentions upthread about the evening rotation, however am I wrong to assume the transit channel will be open in the morning?
Last edited by BA Humbug; May 13, 2019 at 12:59 pm
#204
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 60
Does anyone have any experience of a turnaround coming back to HKG via a TPE hop with luggage? I.E. If I wanted to fly xxx-HKG-TPE (first leg OW but non-CX, second leg CX) on first ticket and then immediately TPE-HKG (on CX) on a second ticket could I...
- Get Cathay to just keep the bag in HKG for the later pickup and avoid flying it HKG-TPE-HKG?
- Get them to fly the bag to TPE but then fly it back to HKG without me having to pick-up the bag and re check-it?
- If neither possible any thoughts on minimum time gap from arrival to departure in TPE including collecting and then re-checking a bag (with APEC card)?
Thanks in advance
- Get Cathay to just keep the bag in HKG for the later pickup and avoid flying it HKG-TPE-HKG?
- Get them to fly the bag to TPE but then fly it back to HKG without me having to pick-up the bag and re check-it?
- If neither possible any thoughts on minimum time gap from arrival to departure in TPE including collecting and then re-checking a bag (with APEC card)?
Thanks in advance
#205
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: None any more
Posts: 11,017
If you have time during your xxx-HKG-TPE transit to collect your bag and put it in the airport baggage storage then that should be possible. Just ask the first airline only to check your bag to HKG.
The second option won't work (the computer throws a wobbly if you try to put the same airport twice on a baggage tag).
No recent experience of TPE to comment on the third option.
The second option won't work (the computer throws a wobbly if you try to put the same airport twice on a baggage tag).
No recent experience of TPE to comment on the third option.
#206
Join Date: Jan 2017
Programs: BA SL, CX GR, IHG Plat Amb
Posts: 576
Does anyone have any experience of a turnaround coming back to HKG via a TPE hop with luggage? I.E. If I wanted to fly xxx-HKG-TPE (first leg OW but non-CX, second leg CX) on first ticket and then immediately TPE-HKG (on CX) on a second ticket could I...
- Get Cathay to just keep the bag in HKG for the later pickup and avoid flying it HKG-TPE-HKG?
- Get them to fly the bag to TPE but then fly it back to HKG without me having to pick-up the bag and re check-it?
- If neither possible any thoughts on minimum time gap from arrival to departure in TPE including collecting and then re-checking a bag (with APEC card)?
Thanks in advance
- Get Cathay to just keep the bag in HKG for the later pickup and avoid flying it HKG-TPE-HKG?
- Get them to fly the bag to TPE but then fly it back to HKG without me having to pick-up the bag and re check-it?
- If neither possible any thoughts on minimum time gap from arrival to departure in TPE including collecting and then re-checking a bag (with APEC card)?
Thanks in advance
#207
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: HKG
Programs: CX Diamond / OWE
Posts: 277
Does anyone have any experience of a turnaround coming back to HKG via a TPE hop with luggage? I.E. If I wanted to fly xxx-HKG-TPE (first leg OW but non-CX, second leg CX) on first ticket and then immediately TPE-HKG (on CX) on a second ticket could I...
- Get Cathay to just keep the bag in HKG for the later pickup and avoid flying it HKG-TPE-HKG?
- Get them to fly the bag to TPE but then fly it back to HKG without me having to pick-up the bag and re check-it?
- Get Cathay to just keep the bag in HKG for the later pickup and avoid flying it HKG-TPE-HKG?
- Get them to fly the bag to TPE but then fly it back to HKG without me having to pick-up the bag and re check-it?
Had done PVG-HKG-TPE and turnaround to HKG a while ago. Check in staff at PVG suggested to have my bags checked to HKG only (ie without flying with me to and back from TPE). I gladly took the advice. My bags were collected at the KA baggage services counter in the baggage reclaim hall when I turned around.
Do note that some destinations will not let you collect your bags at HKG. I flew from LHR-HKG-BKK once, and I wanted to forgo my last leg (HKG-BKK) and so told the CX counter staff to have my bags end at HKG but he refused! I had an argument with him but nope, no can do.
#208
Join Date: Jan 2017
Programs: BA SL, CX GR, IHG Plat Amb
Posts: 576
Do note that some destinations will not let you collect your bags at HKG. I flew from LHR-HKG-BKK once, and I wanted to forgo my last leg (HKG-BKK) and so told the CX counter staff to have my bags end at HKG but he refused! I had an argument with him but nope, no can do.
#209
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: None any more
Posts: 11,017
Do note that some destinations will not let you collect your bags at HKG. I flew from LHR-HKG-BKK once, and I wanted to forgo my last leg (HKG-BKK) and so told the CX counter staff to have my bags end at HKG but he refused! I had an argument with him but nope, no can do.
#210
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: HKG
Programs: CX Diamond / OWE
Posts: 277
Sometimes the class fares don't allow that..!