CAI turnaround is it possible?
Dec 20, 2016, 1:34 am
#91
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Manila, Philippines (MNL)
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Posts: 6,156
Dec 23, 2016, 3:08 pm
#92
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: AA EXP, SPG PLT, Carlson/HHonors GLD, National Ex, Hertz Gld, AMEX Plat
Posts: 344
Question for the group- As a result of piecing together a complicated itinerary that needed some positioning flights, I am doing my first CAI transfer, and my flights are as follows:
Inbound: CMB-DOH-CAI, arrive on QR at 4:40 PM
Outbound: CAI-DOH-IAH, leave on QR at 7:10 PM
These are two separate one way itineraries.
So, a 2.5 hr layover & I assume no terminal change? I'm wondering if I should worry, any tips on the transfer & does anyone know if I will be able to get QR in DOH to print my return ticket on that first layover?
Inbound: CMB-DOH-CAI, arrive on QR at 4:40 PM
Outbound: CAI-DOH-IAH, leave on QR at 7:10 PM
These are two separate one way itineraries.
So, a 2.5 hr layover & I assume no terminal change? I'm wondering if I should worry, any tips on the transfer & does anyone know if I will be able to get QR in DOH to print my return ticket on that first layover?
Dec 23, 2016, 9:36 pm
#93
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Waterloo Canada
Programs: QF SG, AC, AA
Posts: 425
At the end of October I was unsuccessful in getting the transfer desk at DOH to print boarding passes for a new itinerary starting from CAI. The transfer desk staff were unsure whether I might be able to get boarding passes from CAI if I went through immigration and worked with QR ticketing staff landside. Without better assurance, I decided not to try this.
It might be worth asking the lounge staff in DOH if you will be using a lounge; I should have asked them but did not.
I have not seen any report of someone getting BP's in DOH for a new itinerary ex-CAI, but if someone has managed, I would be very interested in what procedure was used for future reference.
Dec 23, 2016, 9:41 pm
#94
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Doha, Qatar
Programs: Qatar Airways Privilege Club Platinum; Accor Le Club Platinum
Posts: 1,077
Am I missing something here? You can check in and print Qatar Airways tickets up to 36 hour before you fly. Can you not print off both boarding passes before you fly?
Dec 23, 2016, 10:12 pm
#95
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Los Angeles
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Posts: 344
I will be using the QR 1st lounge (planning some quality time there). I'll ask them and see. If OLCI works, hopefully I should be able to work something out, unless it's a customs issue.
If I do have to go through the process, it should still be T1-T1, correct? Same aircraft perhaps?
If I do have to go through the process, it should still be T1-T1, correct? Same aircraft perhaps?
Dec 24, 2016, 2:55 pm
#96
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Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
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Posts: 17,008
I will be using the QR 1st lounge (planning some quality time there). I'll ask them and see. If OLCI works, hopefully I should be able to work something out, unless it's a customs issue.
If I do have to go through the process, it should still be T1-T1, correct? Same aircraft perhaps?
If I do have to go through the process, it should still be T1-T1, correct? Same aircraft perhaps?
You will not be able to get a boarding pass for your Cairo departing flight anywhere but Cairo. That's the theory, and, as far as I'm aware, it's also the practice with QR.
However, you are not the only person to transfer between flights at Cairo. Present a print out of your itinerary to the transfer desk: they will take care of things.
Dec 27, 2016, 1:08 pm
#97
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Cairo
Programs: EK Skywards Gold, TK Elite Plus, QR Platinum, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 290
There is a lot of info in the thread above, but to summarize again:
1) If you are arriving CAI and departing on the same QR flight, without checked luggage, don't worry, you will almost certainly make it!
2) You can do OLCI for flights from CAI, but you won't get a boarding pass. You'll get a "OLCI Receipt" which needs to be exchanged for a real boarding pass at the CAI airport. You only obtain the paper boarding pass necessary for CAI departing flights from CAI itself.*
3) Coming from a QR flight: Once you arrive in CAI, enter the terminal from the bus and immediately turn left (yellow transfer sign) and you'll see a set of glass doors. Present either your itinerary or the OLCI Receipt (or on your phone - whatever just have something with your flight details). The authorities (police in white or black uniforms) are prepared for this and are aware some people are doing it. It may not be fast, or you may not perceive it to be organized - but eventually a QR representative will arrive and take your details and you'll get a real boarding pass and be admitted to the terminal to catch your connection. (This is in T1, subject to change soon, but not yet as of writing).
4) The same applies if changing between terminals - have something of record of your flight details, show up at the transfer desk, and you will be transported to T1. It will take longer than QR to QR flights - so allow more time.
5) If you have checked luggage, and it's not checked through - be prepared to enter Egypt, claim your luggage, and check in as a normal departing passenger. Again, this is easy if you have a passport that allows visa on arrival in Egypt (most western passports). If you have luggage, to be safe, there are 2 QR flights per day (twice per week 3 per day), you can arrive on one and get the next rotation out (not same plane) and stay in the restaurant/cafe for a few hours - it's not so bad.
6) The above is true no matter the time of day, or your specific details, or the QR-QR connection (2 per day, 3 on some days). It's a 24 hour airport. The biggest pending change will be the move to T2, someone here will update when that happens.
*One exception is to check in at CMB with UL staff for a journey on two separate tickets (CMB-DOH-CAI then CAI-DOH-XXX) and one user was able to obtain all boarding passes at CMB including the CAI departing flight. YMMV. However, a boarding pass doesn't really help, you are held in the transfer area until QR can take care of you.
1) If you are arriving CAI and departing on the same QR flight, without checked luggage, don't worry, you will almost certainly make it!
2) You can do OLCI for flights from CAI, but you won't get a boarding pass. You'll get a "OLCI Receipt" which needs to be exchanged for a real boarding pass at the CAI airport. You only obtain the paper boarding pass necessary for CAI departing flights from CAI itself.*
3) Coming from a QR flight: Once you arrive in CAI, enter the terminal from the bus and immediately turn left (yellow transfer sign) and you'll see a set of glass doors. Present either your itinerary or the OLCI Receipt (or on your phone - whatever just have something with your flight details). The authorities (police in white or black uniforms) are prepared for this and are aware some people are doing it. It may not be fast, or you may not perceive it to be organized - but eventually a QR representative will arrive and take your details and you'll get a real boarding pass and be admitted to the terminal to catch your connection. (This is in T1, subject to change soon, but not yet as of writing).
4) The same applies if changing between terminals - have something of record of your flight details, show up at the transfer desk, and you will be transported to T1. It will take longer than QR to QR flights - so allow more time.
5) If you have checked luggage, and it's not checked through - be prepared to enter Egypt, claim your luggage, and check in as a normal departing passenger. Again, this is easy if you have a passport that allows visa on arrival in Egypt (most western passports). If you have luggage, to be safe, there are 2 QR flights per day (twice per week 3 per day), you can arrive on one and get the next rotation out (not same plane) and stay in the restaurant/cafe for a few hours - it's not so bad.
6) The above is true no matter the time of day, or your specific details, or the QR-QR connection (2 per day, 3 on some days). It's a 24 hour airport. The biggest pending change will be the move to T2, someone here will update when that happens.
*One exception is to check in at CMB with UL staff for a journey on two separate tickets (CMB-DOH-CAI then CAI-DOH-XXX) and one user was able to obtain all boarding passes at CMB including the CAI departing flight. YMMV. However, a boarding pass doesn't really help, you are held in the transfer area until QR can take care of you.
Last edited by UAworldwide; Jan 19, 2017 at 6:37 am Reason: Added boarding pass exception
Dec 27, 2016, 2:23 pm
#98
Join Date: Dec 2006
Programs: LH SEN, FB Plat., HH D.
Posts: 5,050
There is a lot of info in the thread above, but to summarize again:
1) If you are arriving CAI and departing on the same QR flight, without checked luggage, don't worry, you will almost certainly make it!
2) You can do OLCI for flights from CAI, but you won't get a boarding pass. You'll get a "OLCI Receipt" which needs to be exchanged for a real boarding pass at the CAI airport. You only obtain the paper boarding pass necessary for CAI departing flights from CAI itself.
3) Coming from a QR flight: Once you arrive in CAI, enter the terminal from the bus and immediately turn left (yellow transfer sign) and you'll see a set of glass doors. Present either your itinerary or the OLCI Receipt (or on your phone - whatever just have something with your flight details). The authorities (police in white or black uniforms) are prepared for this and are aware some people are doing it. It may not be fast, or you may not perceive it to be organized - but eventually a QR representative will arrive and take your details and you'll get a real boarding pass and be admitted to the terminal to catch your connection. (This is in T1, subject to change soon, but not yet as of writing).
4) The same applies if changing between terminals - have something of record of your flight details, show up at the transfer desk, and you will be transported to T1. It will take longer than QR to QR flights - so allow more time.
5) If you have checked luggage, and it's not checked through - be prepared to enter Egypt, claim your luggage, and check in as a normal departing passenger. Again, this is easy if you have a passport that allows visa on arrival in Egypt (most western passports). If you have luggage, to be safe, there are 3 QR flights per day (some days only 2), you can arrive on one and get the next rotation out (not same plane) and stay in the restaurant/cafe for a few hours - it's not so bad.
6) The above is true no matter the time of day, or your specific details, or the QR-QR connection (3 per day, 2 some days). It's a 24 hour airport. The biggest pending change will be the move to T2, someone here will update when that happens.
1) If you are arriving CAI and departing on the same QR flight, without checked luggage, don't worry, you will almost certainly make it!
2) You can do OLCI for flights from CAI, but you won't get a boarding pass. You'll get a "OLCI Receipt" which needs to be exchanged for a real boarding pass at the CAI airport. You only obtain the paper boarding pass necessary for CAI departing flights from CAI itself.
3) Coming from a QR flight: Once you arrive in CAI, enter the terminal from the bus and immediately turn left (yellow transfer sign) and you'll see a set of glass doors. Present either your itinerary or the OLCI Receipt (or on your phone - whatever just have something with your flight details). The authorities (police in white or black uniforms) are prepared for this and are aware some people are doing it. It may not be fast, or you may not perceive it to be organized - but eventually a QR representative will arrive and take your details and you'll get a real boarding pass and be admitted to the terminal to catch your connection. (This is in T1, subject to change soon, but not yet as of writing).
4) The same applies if changing between terminals - have something of record of your flight details, show up at the transfer desk, and you will be transported to T1. It will take longer than QR to QR flights - so allow more time.
5) If you have checked luggage, and it's not checked through - be prepared to enter Egypt, claim your luggage, and check in as a normal departing passenger. Again, this is easy if you have a passport that allows visa on arrival in Egypt (most western passports). If you have luggage, to be safe, there are 3 QR flights per day (some days only 2), you can arrive on one and get the next rotation out (not same plane) and stay in the restaurant/cafe for a few hours - it's not so bad.
6) The above is true no matter the time of day, or your specific details, or the QR-QR connection (3 per day, 2 some days). It's a 24 hour airport. The biggest pending change will be the move to T2, someone here will update when that happens.
Jan 1, 2017, 10:36 am
#101
Join Date: Jun 2014
Programs: Olympian, no medals (non-elite status :p )
Posts: 122
There is a lot of info in the thread above, but to summarize again:
5) If you have checked luggage, and it's not checked through - be prepared to enter Egypt, claim your luggage, and check in as a normal departing passenger. Again, this is easy if you have a passport that allows visa on arrival in Egypt (most western passports). If you have luggage, to be safe, there are 3 QR flights per day (some days only 2), you can arrive on one and get the next rotation out (not same plane) and stay in the restaurant/cafe for a few hours - it's not so bad.
6) The above is true no matter the time of day, or your specific details, or the QR-QR connection (3 per day, 2 some days). It's a 24 hour airport. The biggest pending change will be the move to T2, someone here will update when that happens.
5) If you have checked luggage, and it's not checked through - be prepared to enter Egypt, claim your luggage, and check in as a normal departing passenger. Again, this is easy if you have a passport that allows visa on arrival in Egypt (most western passports). If you have luggage, to be safe, there are 3 QR flights per day (some days only 2), you can arrive on one and get the next rotation out (not same plane) and stay in the restaurant/cafe for a few hours - it's not so bad.
6) The above is true no matter the time of day, or your specific details, or the QR-QR connection (3 per day, 2 some days). It's a 24 hour airport. The biggest pending change will be the move to T2, someone here will update when that happens.
So is a 1:40 connection feasible with checked bags? If I missed the original flight they'd rebook me on the later one?
Jan 1, 2017, 11:23 am
#102
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Manila, Philippines (MNL)
Programs: BAEC Gold [>20k Lifetime TPs] | Hilton Honors Lifetime Diamond [as is Mrs PtF] | Various Others
Posts: 6,156
5) If you have checked luggage, and it's not checked through - be prepared to enter Egypt, claim your luggage, and check in as a normal departing passenger. Again, this is easy if you have a passport that allows visa on arrival in Egypt (most western passports). If you have luggage, to be safe, there are 3 QR flights per day (some days only 2), you can arrive on one and get the next rotation out (not same plane) and stay in the restaurant/cafe for a few hours - it's not so bad.
6) The above is true no matter the time of day, or your specific details, or the QR-QR connection (3 per day, 2 some days). It's a 24 hour airport. The biggest pending change will be the move to T2, someone here will update when that happens.
Jan 2, 2017, 12:52 am
#103
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Cairo
Programs: EK Skywards Gold, TK Elite Plus, QR Platinum, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 290
Excellent point, I have edited. I thought the night time flight ran more often than that (I've taken it only once, inbound to CAI, in my opinion it's horrible timings).
Jan 14, 2017, 5:15 pm
#105
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: UK/Australia
Programs: BAEC Silver, UA2MM, QF Platinum, VA Platinum., Volare Executive Club
Posts: 2,508
I've flown in, and out, but never on the same airlift - not even on the same day or on QR. But in theory it should be easier than Cairo. The fly in the ointment is that what you intend to do is irregular at best, and the immigration people - and indeed Qatar staff - might not have run into it before. And it's not the best of times for irregularities.
I'm certain they'll find a way to accommodate you, Egyptians are nothing if not resourceful when it comes to workarounds, but there just might be a scratching of heads. It could be an idea to sensitise QR staff at Alex or Cairo before you get there
I'm certain they'll find a way to accommodate you, Egyptians are nothing if not resourceful when it comes to workarounds, but there just might be a scratching of heads. It could be an idea to sensitise QR staff at Alex or Cairo before you get there