How long to get through exit formalities at Beijing?
Nov 9, 2014 | 4:26 am
#1
Original Poster
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: somewhere north of London, UK
Programs: HH Gold, BA Silver, Accor Silver
Posts: 15,270
How long to get through exit formalities at Beijing?
Just wondering how long the typical process is to get through the exit process at Beijing for a 6pm flight on a Monday night?
I see KA say their desks close promptly 60 mins before departure. Is that sufficient time? Putting in contingency for delays getting to the airport, is planning to arrive 2hrs before the flight going to make for a relaxed trip through security, exit immigration, bit of lounge time etc?
Thanks
I see KA say their desks close promptly 60 mins before departure. Is that sufficient time? Putting in contingency for delays getting to the airport, is planning to arrive 2hrs before the flight going to make for a relaxed trip through security, exit immigration, bit of lounge time etc?
Thanks
Nov 9, 2014 | 5:58 am
#2
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Bay Area
Programs: BA - Blue
Posts: 4,724
I usually aim for 75-90 minutes prior to departure -- it usually takes about 45 minutes to get through, but can be slower (or faster). Two hours is fine, and best to hedge bets on traffic at any rate.
Lounges are not worth planning extra time for.
tb
Lounges are not worth planning extra time for.
tb
Nov 9, 2014 | 9:17 am
#3
Original Poster
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: somewhere north of London, UK
Programs: HH Gold, BA Silver, Accor Silver
Posts: 15,270
Nov 9, 2014 | 9:33 am
#4
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 46,422
Just wondering how long the typical process is to get through the exit process at Beijing for a 6pm flight on a Monday night?
I see KA say their desks close promptly 60 mins before departure. Is that sufficient time? Putting in contingency for delays getting to the airport, is planning to arrive 2hrs before the flight going to make for a relaxed trip through security, exit immigration, bit of lounge time etc?
Thanks
I see KA say their desks close promptly 60 mins before departure. Is that sufficient time? Putting in contingency for delays getting to the airport, is planning to arrive 2hrs before the flight going to make for a relaxed trip through security, exit immigration, bit of lounge time etc?
Thanks
Nov 9, 2014 | 1:28 pm
#6
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: China and Canada
Posts: 1,894
The OP is talking about an international flight. I doubt that the airline will have an earlier flight going to the same destination.
Nov 9, 2014 | 1:50 pm
#7
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 46,422
Ka has hourly flights to ONE destination. And, like I said, switching is easy as long as there are empty seats.
Last edited by moondog; Nov 10, 2014 at 12:24 am
Nov 10, 2014 | 3:20 am
#8
Original Poster
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: somewhere north of London, UK
Programs: HH Gold, BA Silver, Accor Silver
Posts: 15,270
We would need 5 seats anyway (with arguably two pairs) so unless KA are in the habit of running very empty planes, I suspect we'll end up just sticking with what we're booked on.
All very helpful stuff however.
All very helpful stuff however.
Nov 10, 2014 | 8:06 am
#9
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Bay Area
Programs: BA - Blue
Posts: 4,724
Bad dim sum and poor quality sandwiches will be on offer. I actually prefer the dire snack offerings in the CA lounge...that has a bizarre but occasionally pleasant 'tea pavilion'...but even with the Amex plat PP (which I think you have) that will only get 4 of you in...
Either way: one doesn't go to PEK for the lounge offerings.
tb
Nov 10, 2014 | 11:11 am
#11
Original Poster
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: somewhere north of London, UK
Programs: HH Gold, BA Silver, Accor Silver
Posts: 15,270
Either way: one doesn't go to PEK for the lounge offerings.
tb
tb
It's just that I don't want to be rushing through the airport with the kids as missing the flight would inevitably be rather costly. Do they have cold beer???Am I missing a trick here? I was planning to hire a van & driver for the day to take us up to Mutianyu first then back to the airport. I believe we should aim to get to Mutianyu ASAP. How long will we spend at the wall, and is there anything else worth doing between Mutianyu and the airport ?
Just starting to think if we leave the hotel at 8am, would we be better off making for the 4.30pm flight rather than booking the 6.30pm?
Nov 10, 2014 | 11:32 am
#12
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 46,422
lol...
OK, I get the message! It's just that I don't want to be rushing through the airport with the kids as missing the flight would inevitably be rather costly. Do they have cold beer???
Am I missing a trick here? I was planning to hire a van & driver for the day to take us up to Mutianyu first then back to the airport. I believe we should aim to get to Mutianyu ASAP. How long will we spend at the wall, and is there anything else worth doing between Mutianyu and the airport ?
Just starting to think if we leave the hotel at 8am, would we be better off making for the 4.30pm flight rather than booking the 6.30pm?
OK, I get the message!
It's just that I don't want to be rushing through the airport with the kids as missing the flight would inevitably be rather costly. Do they have cold beer???Am I missing a trick here? I was planning to hire a van & driver for the day to take us up to Mutianyu first then back to the airport. I believe we should aim to get to Mutianyu ASAP. How long will we spend at the wall, and is there anything else worth doing between Mutianyu and the airport ?
Just starting to think if we leave the hotel at 8am, would we be better off making for the 4.30pm flight rather than booking the 6.30pm?
Last edited by moondog; Nov 10, 2014 at 11:41 am
Nov 10, 2014 | 12:05 pm
#13
Original Poster
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: somewhere north of London, UK
Programs: HH Gold, BA Silver, Accor Silver
Posts: 15,270
Thanks again - I assume there's nothing else out that way worth seeing on the way between the Wall and the airport?
Nov 10, 2014 | 12:36 pm
#14
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 46,422
I can't think of anything super exciting between there and the airport but there are some interesting restaurants and spas in the village and the goose & duck ranch can be fun during the summer months.