Phuket - fast track security/immigration on departure?
Oct 5, 2016, 7:10 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: UK
Posts: 2,483
Phuket - fast track security/immigration on departure?
Anyone know what Qatar offer departing passengers flying business out of Phuket (HKT)?
No fast track immigration was available on arrival (very long queues). We're keen to minimise time at the airport on departure. Do Qatar offer fast track security and/or immigration on departure? This is for QR841 at 19:35
No fast track immigration was available on arrival (very long queues). We're keen to minimise time at the airport on departure. Do Qatar offer fast track security and/or immigration on departure? This is for QR841 at 19:35
Oct 5, 2016, 10:07 am
#2
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 795
There was nothing on the way in when I arrived a couple of days ago. I was the first to reach the immigration queue from our flight and it took me an hour from joining it to clear passport control. On the upside, the bags were all off by the time I got downstairs ;-)
I'm flying out on Friday so shall report back...
I'm flying out on Friday so shall report back...
Oct 5, 2016, 12:52 pm
#3
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: LON|JHB
Posts: 433
I was considering this or similar when I'm there in a month. Any feedback?
http://www.coralphuket.com/services.html
http://www.coralphuket.com/services.html
Oct 5, 2016, 9:57 pm
#4
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Phuket
Programs: SQ *Gold, BA, QR, EY, Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, Amex Plat
Posts: 5,263
There is a Fast Track Departure counter/s.
I flew out of HKT the day the new terminal opened. It was on Etihad, who escorted (via Coral Executive Lounges subcontractor) J pax in a group (why, I don’t know - not enough staff perhaps?) though to the emigration counters - the place was packed - even the fast track line took 20-30 minutes to clear. One Fast Track counter was initially open, followed by a second when the first line got too long.
Qatar Airlines also had a staffer (again, Coral Lounge (I think) sub-contracted) walking people through Fast Track departures.
The “holding area" for departures is too small (its a glassed-off area with tens-barrier lines), with too few counters open, especially for non- Fast Track. The airport owner/operator, AOT, has now opened more counters (initially the lines were blamed on insufficient IT equipment & available staff
) but it still remains less than 100% operational.
There is a chance that things have now eased somewhat but its seems that things won’t be fully sorted out until high season (starts December).
I flew out of HKT the day the new terminal opened. It was on Etihad, who escorted (via Coral Executive Lounges subcontractor) J pax in a group (why, I don’t know - not enough staff perhaps?) though to the emigration counters - the place was packed - even the fast track line took 20-30 minutes to clear. One Fast Track counter was initially open, followed by a second when the first line got too long.
Qatar Airlines also had a staffer (again, Coral Lounge (I think) sub-contracted) walking people through Fast Track departures.
The “holding area" for departures is too small (its a glassed-off area with tens-barrier lines), with too few counters open, especially for non- Fast Track. The airport owner/operator, AOT, has now opened more counters (initially the lines were blamed on insufficient IT equipment & available staff
) but it still remains less than 100% operational. There is a chance that things have now eased somewhat but its seems that things won’t be fully sorted out until high season (starts December).
Oct 5, 2016, 10:01 pm
#5
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Phuket
Programs: SQ *Gold, BA, QR, EY, Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, Amex Plat
Posts: 5,263
I was considering this or similar when I'm there in a month. Any feedback?
http://www.coralphuket.com/services.html
http://www.coralphuket.com/services.html
The lounge itself is quite nice but way too small - I can only imagine how packed it will be in High/Peak season!
Oct 6, 2016, 12:19 am
#6
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: LON|JHB
Posts: 433
Oct 6, 2016, 12:50 am
#7
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Phuket
Programs: SQ *Gold, BA, QR, EY, Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, Amex Plat
Posts: 5,263
Oct 6, 2016, 4:51 am
#9
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 3,944
db07mufan according to https://www.oneworld.com/ffp/lounge-access there are two OW lounges. Both lounges are third party lounges. Coral lounge for Finnair and Malaysia and Royal Orchid for Dragonair and Qatar.
Oct 6, 2016, 7:15 am
#10
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Phuket
Programs: SQ *Gold, BA, QR, EY, Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, Amex Plat
Posts: 5,263
When I was there, the Thai Royal Orchid Lounge was a joke - simply a cordoned off area in the main departure lounge! No privacy. I thought it was temporary but am not so sure - after all this is Thai we are talking about
In addition, there are two Coral Lounges - one for “Business Class” & one for "First Class”. No idea if there’s any real difference, or which pax can access the “First” lounge - QR J pax are directed to the “Business” lounge.
I saw no other Lounges in the Terminal.
The link to OW lounges is out of date (including the pictures) & refers to the old Terminal.
In addition, there are two Coral Lounges - one for “Business Class” & one for "First Class”. No idea if there’s any real difference, or which pax can access the “First” lounge - QR J pax are directed to the “Business” lounge.
I saw no other Lounges in the Terminal.
The link to OW lounges is out of date (including the pictures) & refers to the old Terminal.
Oct 7, 2016, 5:45 am
#11
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 795
Live Update
I've just checked in at HKT.
Departures are from the new terminal, opened in September.
Initial screening for both checked and carry on baggage is at each bank of check-in desks, and all of your bags pass through that before you check-in. It was quick and friendly.
There were 6 desks open for the flight, one of which was dedicated to business class. There was a queue at that so I went to one of the others which was empty.
There is currently no fast track lane for passport control, no mention of one in the future, and no escort provided as others have mentioned they got in previous posts. I am travelling in business and have PC Platinum. It took me 20 minutes to pass through the general passport control and subsequent security scan for hand luggage. I must say, neither of the security checks were cursory. Thorough but friendly and pleasant. So commendations for that.
To be honest, I didn't find 20 minutes altogether to be a particular problem, and wouldn't pay for the escort service on that basis, but queues may be longer at other times and you may prefer differently.
The lounge offered is the Thai Royal Orchid Lounge, which as mentioned further up is actually just a roped off area in the main departure hall, adjacent to gate 11. Not a lounge at all, and only about 25/30 seats. There were no seats free when I arrived and I was told I could take any food and drink away if I wanted to. By the time I had logged in to the WiFi, a seat had become available.
I was also told this is a temporary arrangement as the proper Thai lounge is not ready yet. So anyone who experienced the early issues at HIA should feel right at home ;-) The staff in this area are friendly enough though, and proactive in offering you food and drink from a menu, which doesn't look bad.
So all in all not the full premium arrivals or departure experience at HKT, but I am guessing things "may" improve as the brand new airport terminal beds in...
Happy travels!
Departures are from the new terminal, opened in September.
Initial screening for both checked and carry on baggage is at each bank of check-in desks, and all of your bags pass through that before you check-in. It was quick and friendly.
There were 6 desks open for the flight, one of which was dedicated to business class. There was a queue at that so I went to one of the others which was empty.
There is currently no fast track lane for passport control, no mention of one in the future, and no escort provided as others have mentioned they got in previous posts. I am travelling in business and have PC Platinum. It took me 20 minutes to pass through the general passport control and subsequent security scan for hand luggage. I must say, neither of the security checks were cursory. Thorough but friendly and pleasant. So commendations for that.
To be honest, I didn't find 20 minutes altogether to be a particular problem, and wouldn't pay for the escort service on that basis, but queues may be longer at other times and you may prefer differently.
The lounge offered is the Thai Royal Orchid Lounge, which as mentioned further up is actually just a roped off area in the main departure hall, adjacent to gate 11. Not a lounge at all, and only about 25/30 seats. There were no seats free when I arrived and I was told I could take any food and drink away if I wanted to. By the time I had logged in to the WiFi, a seat had become available.
I was also told this is a temporary arrangement as the proper Thai lounge is not ready yet. So anyone who experienced the early issues at HIA should feel right at home ;-) The staff in this area are friendly enough though, and proactive in offering you food and drink from a menu, which doesn't look bad.
So all in all not the full premium arrivals or departure experience at HKT, but I am guessing things "may" improve as the brand new airport terminal beds in...
Happy travels!
Oct 7, 2016, 10:35 am
#12
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Phuket
Programs: SQ *Gold, BA, QR, EY, Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, Amex Plat
Posts: 5,263
I've just checked in at HKT.
Departures are from the new terminal, opened in September.
Initial screening for both checked and carry on baggage is at each bank of check-in desks, and all of your bags pass through that before you check-in. It was quick and friendly.
There were 6 desks open for the flight, one of which was dedicated to business class. There was a queue at that so I went to one of the others which was empty.
There is currently no fast track lane for passport control, no mention of one in the future, and no escort provided as others have mentioned they got in previous posts. I am travelling in business and have PC Platinum. It took me 20 minutes to pass through the general passport control and subsequent security scan for hand luggage. I must say, neither of the security checks were cursory. Thorough but friendly and pleasant. So commendations for that.
To be honest, I didn't find 20 minutes altogether to be a particular problem, and wouldn't pay for the escort service on that basis, but queues may be longer at other times and you may prefer differently.
The lounge offered is the Thai Royal Orchid Lounge, which as mentioned further up is actually just a roped off area in the main departure hall, adjacent to gate 11. Not a lounge at all, and only about 25/30 seats. There were no seats free when I arrived and I was told I could take any food and drink away if I wanted to. By the time I had logged in to the WiFi, a seat had become available.
I was also told this is a temporary arrangement as the proper Thai lounge is not ready yet. So anyone who experienced the early issues at HIA should feel right at home ;-) The staff in this area are friendly enough though, and proactive in offering you food and drink from a menu, which doesn't look bad.
So all in all not the full premium arrivals or departure experience at HKT, but I am guessing things "may" improve as the brand new airport terminal beds in...
Happy travels!
Departures are from the new terminal, opened in September.
Initial screening for both checked and carry on baggage is at each bank of check-in desks, and all of your bags pass through that before you check-in. It was quick and friendly.
There were 6 desks open for the flight, one of which was dedicated to business class. There was a queue at that so I went to one of the others which was empty.
There is currently no fast track lane for passport control, no mention of one in the future, and no escort provided as others have mentioned they got in previous posts. I am travelling in business and have PC Platinum. It took me 20 minutes to pass through the general passport control and subsequent security scan for hand luggage. I must say, neither of the security checks were cursory. Thorough but friendly and pleasant. So commendations for that.
To be honest, I didn't find 20 minutes altogether to be a particular problem, and wouldn't pay for the escort service on that basis, but queues may be longer at other times and you may prefer differently.
The lounge offered is the Thai Royal Orchid Lounge, which as mentioned further up is actually just a roped off area in the main departure hall, adjacent to gate 11. Not a lounge at all, and only about 25/30 seats. There were no seats free when I arrived and I was told I could take any food and drink away if I wanted to. By the time I had logged in to the WiFi, a seat had become available.
I was also told this is a temporary arrangement as the proper Thai lounge is not ready yet. So anyone who experienced the early issues at HIA should feel right at home ;-) The staff in this area are friendly enough though, and proactive in offering you food and drink from a menu, which doesn't look bad.
So all in all not the full premium arrivals or departure experience at HKT, but I am guessing things "may" improve as the brand new airport terminal beds in...
Happy travels!
Nov 26, 2016, 11:58 pm
#14
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: LON|JHB
Posts: 433
Just to close this out. Went into HKT on AK and out on QR J in the last week.
Immigration was OK on the way in, in all about a 15 minute wait from being first off an Air Asia A320 and bumping into the tail end of the queues from a Eurowings A330. Bags on the belt as we got there (priority tagged).
New terminal basic, but OK inside. Total mess outside as it looks like there is some kind of construction associated with the old terminal. As an aside, National, Thai and Budget car rentals have offices in the new terminal.. Sixt don't, and are still 'based' at the domestic terminal. Guess which one I'd chosen!
Departure experience with QR on business class was basic. Check in was very congested due to being shared with Cathay Dragon (I think). The choke point is the x-ray machine where there is only one for the whole row. Dedicated J check in opened precisely 3 hours in advance of departure. Quite a few of us were way early and simply stood in line. There is no fast-track immigration or security. Pot luck as to queue length, but it took 15 mins for us. Could have been massively worse as the queue length tripled whilst we waited due to a shift change on the immigration counters (done on mass and not phased!).
Access to the Royal Orchid Temporary Lounge. This is a roped off section of the normal departure lounge with slightly better seating. The staff did their best with limited resources and were very attentive. You can get a sandwich or instant noodle soup. Drinks are Tea, coffee, soft drinks and Thai beer. All in all best of an obviously poor situation.
Boarding was OK - priority queue and access to the aircraft.
Hope this is useful to all.
Immigration was OK on the way in, in all about a 15 minute wait from being first off an Air Asia A320 and bumping into the tail end of the queues from a Eurowings A330. Bags on the belt as we got there (priority tagged).
New terminal basic, but OK inside. Total mess outside as it looks like there is some kind of construction associated with the old terminal. As an aside, National, Thai and Budget car rentals have offices in the new terminal.. Sixt don't, and are still 'based' at the domestic terminal. Guess which one I'd chosen!
Departure experience with QR on business class was basic. Check in was very congested due to being shared with Cathay Dragon (I think). The choke point is the x-ray machine where there is only one for the whole row. Dedicated J check in opened precisely 3 hours in advance of departure. Quite a few of us were way early and simply stood in line. There is no fast-track immigration or security. Pot luck as to queue length, but it took 15 mins for us. Could have been massively worse as the queue length tripled whilst we waited due to a shift change on the immigration counters (done on mass and not phased!).
Access to the Royal Orchid Temporary Lounge. This is a roped off section of the normal departure lounge with slightly better seating. The staff did their best with limited resources and were very attentive. You can get a sandwich or instant noodle soup. Drinks are Tea, coffee, soft drinks and Thai beer. All in all best of an obviously poor situation.
Boarding was OK - priority queue and access to the aircraft.
Hope this is useful to all.
Nov 27, 2016, 3:25 am
#15
Join Date: Oct 2016
Programs: BAEC Silver, GHA Discovery Titanium, Accor Silver
Posts: 57
Sounds like you had a better experience than me mr_botak. Took 40 minutes just to get to the business check in due to waiting with everyone to get through the X Ray machine before checking in. Then over 30 minutes to get through passport control. Didn't have time at that point to check out the lounge but it sounds like I didn't miss much.
