Minimum Hong Kong Layover

[StrikeEagle]

I'm starting my initial planning and have come up with an interesting dilemma. Normally, I'd be worried about having a long layover. However, Rather than having limited choices on flights and layover times, I find that there are actually three options available to me from Cathay Pacific. 

 

One has a layover of about an hour and a half. The second gives me a little over 3 hours in the Hong Kong airport. The third, and least favorite option gives me a layover of not quite 4 1/2 hours. My inclination is to take the middle option simply because I'm comfortable with the ability to make the connecting flight, AND have my bags make it as well, with a 3 hour layover. However, the 90 minute layover is attractive, and has me second guessing.

 

The main reason I'm shying away from this option is that I'm concerned with making the connection in such a short amount of time. As I recall, and it's been several years, in Hong Kong, I have to go through security screening as I move from the arrival terminal to the departure terminal. If I am wrong about this, then I may have to rethink things. But, either way, based on my experience, a 90 minute window is pretty tight for an international connection.

 

The short layover puts me in BKK at around 10:30, with the 3 hour layover getting me in a little after noon. 

 

Again, it's been a number of years since I've flown through Hong Kong, and I also know how things can change. So, I'm looking for the opinions and experience of the members of this board to give me a best recommendation to help me make the best choice. What do you consider to be the shortest reasonable layover?

 

Thanks for your input and advice.

 

 

[thinkingallowed]

90 min one.

 

If you are being offered a 90 min transfer by Cathay Pacific in their home airport then they are pretty certain you and your bags will make it.

[LRanger]

I had a one-hour transit in Singapore, the departing plane was 30 minutes late, I made the plane to Shanghai but the bags did not. The airline sent the bags on when they arrived.

 

A week ago I transferred in HK to a Tokyo flight with 90 minute transit - no issue.

 

So its really a risk weigh up.

 

Arriving at 1030am and noon is no big issue.  If you do choose 3 hours, find one of the paid premium lounges, get a nice hot shower, meal included, 15 minute neck massage and relax. Arrive Thailand feeling great as opposed to jet-lagged shite.

[RockyMtnJay]

I came through Hong Kong on Cathay in December from SFO. Yes like most everywhere else you will have to go through security to get to your departure gate. I would have made it easily in 90 minutes. As I recall it took something like 45 minutes to get to my departure gate  There was a fairly big queue at security but it moved along pretty well. So 90 minutes will work if something doesn't go very wrong. But like you I would still worry because that is just how I am. :-) :-(  But the trip before I tried a 55 minute layover in Incheon airport and that worked OK. 

 

My flight left SFO a little late but arrived on time. It seems to me quite often long haul flights have a bit of extra time built into the schedule.

 

On my flight I had no choice except a three hour layover. But it was easy because I had access to the great Cathay lounge.

 

My flight from HKG to BKK seemed almost empty. Something like 7 of the 35 seats in business class were occupied. Lots of empty seats in economy also. But if you get a whole row to yourself I think it's impossible to lay down with Cathay's pod seating.

[storytime]

When I used to get a months holiday I'd go Cathy and spend a couple of days in Hong kong before Thailand, Hong Kongs expensive mind you.

[Love_to_eat_Thai]

First time I went through Changi airport I had an hour allocated and my flight from Bangkok was late, the airport sent a girl to meet me on the skywalk out of the plane and escort me on the train to the departure terminal.  90 minutes in any asian airport should be sufficient.

[aurora]

90 minutes in Hong Kong is plenty, I've not had a problem with this scenario.

[RockyMtnJay]

Even if you missed your 90 minute layover flight they could put you on the next flight. You luggage would be the only question. It might make the first flight even if you didn't.

[Mongster]

I am bit concerned with my upcoming flight as I only have a 55m layover in HKG to connect with my BKK flight. I did not choose this as my time table on the OHare to HK flight pushed back by 30 minutes since when everything was booked.

 

I'm thinking that as long as my flight is on time I should be OK. I only have a carry on so not concerned about luggage.

 

There is a flight 90 minutes later so I am just going to let it ride and worst case scenario they throw me on the later flight.

[StrikeEagle]

Thank you all for your input and suggestions. I'm still a bit undecided at this point.

 

I know that this is all sounding very noob, and that's ok with me. I've not done long flight international travel in over 20 years. Back then, my mind and body could easily compensate for the rigors of 12+ hours on an airplane. Now that I've reached my 50s, I'm not so sure that will still be the case.  I do fine with 6 hour cross country flights, but double that flight time, and I'm not sure of the toll it may take.

 

However, I have thought of a curve ball as far as planning. If I go with the 3 hour layover, I would have more than enough time to hit one of the Exec Lounges, take a shower, stretch out, eat some real food and change clothes. I'm beginning to wonder if this 're-humanizing exercise' might not be worth the extra layover time. Anyone experience the Plaza Premium Lounge in the departure level of HKG? If I can put together enough miles on my AAdvantage account, I'll just check into the Wing, but I want to have a backup plan in place.

 

Thoughts?

[thinkingallowed]

Thank you all for your input and suggestions. I'm still a bit undecided at this point.

 

I know that this is all sounding very noob, and that's ok with me. I've not done long flight international travel in over 20 years. Back then, my mind and body could easily compensate for the rigors of 12+ hours on an airplane. Now that I've reached my 50s, I'm not so sure that will still be the case.  I do fine with 6 hour cross country flights, but double that flight time, and I'm not sure of the toll it may take.

 

However, I have thought of a curve ball as far as planning. If I go with the 3 hour layover, I would have more than enough time to hit one of the Exec Lounges, take a shower, stretch out, eat some real food and change clothes. I'm beginning to wonder if this 're-humanizing exercise' might not be worth the extra layover time. Anyone experience the Plaza Premium Lounge in the departure level of HKG? If I can put together enough miles on my AAdvantage account, I'll just check into the Wing, but I want to have a backup plan in place.

 

Thoughts?

That sounds like an ok plan. You can book for the Plaza Premium Lounges on line at sites like loungepass.com. Loungepass is priced in GDP but I guess there are similar sites you can pay in USD.

[Canuckdave]

Take the 3 hour.  Nothing wrong with getting off an extremely long flight and not having the feeling to being rushed especially if you take advantage of lounge access.  Take your time, its only 90 minutes difference.  I always error on the side of caution and take a minimum 2 hour connection at any airport.  I am one that also loves planes and airports

[LRanger]

I'm 52, over the last 12 months I have been doing Asian flights with various connections.

 

After a 12 hour flight you are best to do the 3-hour stopover and do the paid lounge option. It is very good value.  I used the one outside immigration underneath the HK Express Train.  Great hot shower, food and drink, plus a 15 minute neck/back massage included, for something like $35US.

 

Arrive feeling great.

 

3 hours goes damn quick at airports, be careful you don't miss your outbound flight!  Be careful to set the time to Local HK time.

[RockyMtnJay]

Went through HKG late Sunday night on the way home. The gate for my BKK-HKG flight was directly across from a transit area that had no line. Three or four from my flight got there ahead of me. I was through security in two minutes. Too bad it isn't always that way. 

 

At HKG Cathay checked my carry on at the departure gate and took my water away. I guess all foreign airports now take water aquired after passing security away at the gates on US flights even though that doesn't happen in the US. Always strikes me as kind of strange.