Help! I went through the transfer area and now can't leave HKIA
 

So I took CX845 which landed in hk this morning at 430 (in first-amazing experience) decided to go through the transit desk to access the pier lounge and then go into hk. My layover is 12 hours so wanted to meet a friend and explore hk, but now they are saying I can't go through immigration since I already went through the transit area. Anyone know how I can get out? Thanks!

Ask at the Wing lounge first class section. And keep asking everyone you can find. One kind soul might escort you through the immigration area. Technically once you go through transit security you can't leave but someone might take pity on you.

Given recent developments, though, it wouldn't be surprising if staff at CLK are now enforcing rules to the letter.

You are SOL when Hong Kong's First Family has treated HKG as its backyard.

As you are flying CX your best bet is to say that you need to be re-ticketed for some reason and this is done by CX landside. In the past there was a special form that CX had to fill in and stamp, this allowed passage through security. Current higher levels of security may prohibit that -- airport decision so nothing airline can do about it. Most likely you get to enjoy the Wing/Pier for 12 hours.

Transit/exit at HKIA - any problems?
 

Hello, I will be flying on one ticket
KIX/HKG CX 567, 09:20 - 12:20 pm and continuing
HKG/LHR CX 251, 23:55 (same day) - 05:40 (next day).

Technically, a transit / layover of 11 hours. Any foreseeable problem if I exit HKIA (using my HKID card), and about 8 -9 hours later, using either the second boarding pass issued at KIX, or online check in for CX 251, bypassing the CX check in counters? I will only have carry on bags.

Any issue or problems with exiting HKIA and returning later for the onward flight?

If there is a problem, they'll catch it when they scan your boarding pass right before you enter security, and then send you over to Cathay to fix it. I've been sent back before because my online boarding pass didn't register when they scanned it. No big deal.

Doesn't affect your departure tax situation, since you're leaving the same day you arrive.

Thanks for that. Very helpful. So I should just go via the CX check in counters anyway to have them register my boarding pass so as to get thru the initial security check.

Good to know about departure tax. I did the same at BKK recently, but the layover spanned one night, and when re-checking in, had to pay 700 baht airport tax.

If everything works right, the online boarding pass you printed out yourself will get you through the document check right before security. It's worked that way for me, except that one time when the boarding pass I printed out wouldn't scan right for some reason, and I had to go over to the airline desk and get it replaced.

Interesting. I've always wondered why there were no signage for exiting airside. Pull a fire alarm? Just kidding.


No problems with this.

A decade ago you could take the elevator from departure to arrival level and go back out through the security checkpoint as long as you had the right chop on your paperwork. No longer the case now.

I did something like that, arriving in HKG at 1800 connecting to CRK the following morning at 7am, I went out of the airport, checked into a hotel and went back the following morning, went straight to the security screening using my SYD issued boarding pass.

How did things work out for you in the end?

While I realize that 430a is quite early, why didn't you leave the airport upon arrival?

Sounds like the arrival lounge was not a desirable location to freshen up versus an airside F lounge.