HKG - The Best Airport in the World?
Jan 2, 2009, 8:05 am
#16
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,156
My husband and I and our son were on AC 15 on 19 December - from YYZ to BKK via HKG. In spite of a travel advisory that flights that day might be delayed / cancelled because of the impending snowstorm, we were happy when the plane started on time towards de-icing.
However, that necessary procedure took more than 2 hours thereby pushing arrival in HKG to 15h00 instead of 14h20. Later we heard then plane would be arriving at 15h20. Our connecting flight to Bangkok was at 16h00 and we were a little concerned we may not make it. It was the tightest connecting time we ever had. I chatted with a few members of the AC crew. "Oh don't worry you'll be placed on the next flight!" We knew that. We were to be met by a guide in BKK. Then, Rick the steward gave me a shot of hope and optimism. HKG he opined is "the best airport in the world" There would be people with signs waiting for late arriving passengers who would be taken promptly to the connecting flight. What about luggage I asked? Rick said the luggage will make it.
Sure enough at arrival a young woman Ka-Wah and a young man Kits were at the exit with a sign bearing out names and departing flight #. As soon as we had identified ourselves they asked for our boarding passes which unfortunately had not been issued in YYZ. "Give us your tickets passports & luggage tags then" & they were off running to the Cathay Pacific counter. Withing minutes Ka-Wah escorted us through security and on towards the departure gate with all the necessary documents.
As we walked I asked "what about our luggage? We need our summer clothes?" She told me the "people in the basement" have already been notified. AC has informed Cathay Pacific but as a rule CX does not accept to take luggage that have arrived less then 1 hour. Shocked, I replied "CX would accept passengers arriving less than 1 hour but not their luggage?!" She assured me everything possible is being done.
Upon arrival in BKK we were very happy indeed to see that our luggage had been transferred after all.
Rick was right. HK is the best airport in the world.
Thanks and best wishes for 2009 to Ka-Wah and Kits who proved their efficiency.
However, that necessary procedure took more than 2 hours thereby pushing arrival in HKG to 15h00 instead of 14h20. Later we heard then plane would be arriving at 15h20. Our connecting flight to Bangkok was at 16h00 and we were a little concerned we may not make it. It was the tightest connecting time we ever had. I chatted with a few members of the AC crew. "Oh don't worry you'll be placed on the next flight!" We knew that. We were to be met by a guide in BKK. Then, Rick the steward gave me a shot of hope and optimism. HKG he opined is "the best airport in the world" There would be people with signs waiting for late arriving passengers who would be taken promptly to the connecting flight. What about luggage I asked? Rick said the luggage will make it.
Sure enough at arrival a young woman Ka-Wah and a young man Kits were at the exit with a sign bearing out names and departing flight #. As soon as we had identified ourselves they asked for our boarding passes which unfortunately had not been issued in YYZ. "Give us your tickets passports & luggage tags then" & they were off running to the Cathay Pacific counter. Withing minutes Ka-Wah escorted us through security and on towards the departure gate with all the necessary documents.
As we walked I asked "what about our luggage? We need our summer clothes?" She told me the "people in the basement" have already been notified. AC has informed Cathay Pacific but as a rule CX does not accept to take luggage that have arrived less then 1 hour. Shocked, I replied "CX would accept passengers arriving less than 1 hour but not their luggage?!" She assured me everything possible is being done.
Upon arrival in BKK we were very happy indeed to see that our luggage had been transferred after all.
Rick was right. HK is the best airport in the world.
Thanks and best wishes for 2009 to Ka-Wah and Kits who proved their efficiency.
Ka-Wah and Kits are likely not AC staff but work for this third party service provider.
You will likely be writing a very different post if it happened in YVR or YYZ.
Jan 2, 2009, 8:20 am
#17
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: MKE
Programs: DL Diamond, 2 MM
Posts: 1,009
Mea culpa. Yes, it was December 27. Luckily I arrived in the morning BEFORE all of this took place and luckily I left on December 28 like your parents. What a mess it must have been.
Jan 2, 2009, 8:48 am
#18
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: North of YYZ
Programs: Aegean Flying Blue
Posts: 176
Been to HK several times. HK never ceases to attract, to amaze! Spent a couple of days there after BKK where we had a fabulous time. People were ever so friendly, welcoming. We were not bothered by any political chaos.
Jan 2, 2009, 9:18 pm
#19
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: So. Cal., CA, USA
Programs: AA 3MMF EXP, UA 1MMF
Posts: 292
I'm there too...HKG is king. MTR pulls into the terminal, service and staff is excellent, only delayed once in over 50 flights in and out to US. Counter staff at Cathay a bit hardcore on size of carry-on, but have never had to check. Plus, how many other airports in the world have Krispy Kreme doughnuts in the arrival hall? ;-)
Jan 2, 2009, 9:25 pm
#21
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: So. Cal., CA, USA
Programs: AA 3MMF EXP, UA 1MMF
Posts: 292
Jan 11, 2009, 11:38 pm
#23
Ambassador: China
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Malibu Inferno Ground Zero
Programs: UA AA CO
Posts: 4,836
Jan 12, 2009, 8:43 am
#26
Ambassador: China
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Malibu Inferno Ground Zero
Programs: UA AA CO
Posts: 4,836
Jan 12, 2009, 12:03 pm
#27
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: ORD/MDW
Programs: BA/AA/AS/B6/WN/ UA/HH/MR and more like 'em but most felicitously & importantly MUCCI
Posts: 19,719
I love HKG. I always get excited about passing through. This year I visit KUL / KLIA for the first time, and they too fancy themselves the world's best airport, so I'm looking forward to making the comparison.
Jan 12, 2009, 8:08 pm
#29
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: 香港
Programs: MPC
Posts: 462
If you're used to HKIA, you'll be disappointed with KLIA.
Just my experience, I found the place small, and cluttered.
Jan 16, 2009, 12:01 am
#30
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: ORD, HKG
Programs: UA*G, AA Emerald, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt globalist
Posts: 10,280
Airport Express to many people is expensive, most locals actually take the A bus into HKIA, as the A bus is cheaper and cover more areas in HK. Airport Express only goes to Central, then have to tow your luggages through long tunnel to MTR, and still for many people end up another short bus or cab ride. It is indeed one thing HKIA target business travellers than budget or locals. SFO has BART, and ORD has CTA blue line, both are inexpensive compare to Airport Express in HKG.