Is this flight connection do-able? - Hong Kong to Hanoi
Apr 14th, 2009, 01:42 AM
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Is this flight connection do-able? - Hong Kong to Hanoi
I guess i should post this on the airlines forum, but like Filmwill always trust you guys so here goes.
We arrive in HKG at 12.25 from LHR. there is a flight to Hanoi at 14.55 with Vietnam airlines which i wanted to catch. I have checked the Vietnam airlines partners scheme and i dont think i will be able to check my luggage thru from Virgin in London to Vietnam airlines onwards to Hanoi.
Do you think this connection is do-able?. For info we will be flying Upper class so should be off the plane fairly quick and luggage will be priority (economy on VA) but am guessing we will have to clear immigration, collect luggage then would we have to get the train to the check in part of the terminal or is there a check in desk elsewhere i could go to without having to go all the way to check in (i remember HKG being a big airport).
I am anxious to catch this flight if poss as its cheapest by £££ and would rather get to Hanoi that day rather than the next
Advice appreciated
Thanks
S
We arrive in HKG at 12.25 from LHR. there is a flight to Hanoi at 14.55 with Vietnam airlines which i wanted to catch. I have checked the Vietnam airlines partners scheme and i dont think i will be able to check my luggage thru from Virgin in London to Vietnam airlines onwards to Hanoi.
Do you think this connection is do-able?. For info we will be flying Upper class so should be off the plane fairly quick and luggage will be priority (economy on VA) but am guessing we will have to clear immigration, collect luggage then would we have to get the train to the check in part of the terminal or is there a check in desk elsewhere i could go to without having to go all the way to check in (i remember HKG being a big airport).
I am anxious to catch this flight if poss as its cheapest by £££ and would rather get to Hanoi that day rather than the next
Advice appreciated
Thanks
S
Apr 14th, 2009, 05:36 AM
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Almost all full-service airlines will transfer your luggage. They don't need to be partners. Call Virgin and see what they have to say. If they will transfer your luggage, this should be quite do-able.
Apr 14th, 2009, 06:40 AM
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Me neither when i checked in i asked if i could check my luggage all the way thru and they said no!!! BUT the most confusing part was, when i had originally purchased my Eva tix from Trailfinders i optioned a Malaysian flight from BKK to KUL, anyway i think it was cheaper for me to book the MA flight direct but it was a a later one to the optioned MA one thru Trailfinders, when i checked in my tags printed off CHECKED thru on the earlier flight!!!! so i asked if i could have it changed to the later flight but they wouldnt do it, she even said it should never have been tagged to check thru the earlier flight!!!
By this stage i am worried my luggage will come off at BKK (which it did) and then i had to wait for checkin to open!!! little did i know i wouldnt see BKK again that trip!!
By this stage i am worried my luggage will come off at BKK (which it did) and then i had to wait for checkin to open!!! little did i know i wouldnt see BKK again that trip!!
Apr 14th, 2009, 07:24 AM
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The transit check-in for Vietnam Airlines is in area E2, which is near the main part of the terminal. You do not have to go all the way out through customs/baggage. Just follow signs to transit/transfer. Map:
http://www.hongkongairport.com/eng/p...ctive-map.html
On the right side of map, click on 'Facilities', then click on 'Transfer Areas'. I know you can use the transfer check-in if your baggage is checked through to your final destination, but I am not sure what to do if it is not.
http://www.hongkongairport.com/eng/p...ctive-map.html
On the right side of map, click on 'Facilities', then click on 'Transfer Areas'. I know you can use the transfer check-in if your baggage is checked through to your final destination, but I am not sure what to do if it is not.
Apr 22nd, 2009, 05:53 PM
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I first hope you will be able to get your bags checked all the way through. Even if Virgin tells you on the phone that they won’t do it, please ask again when you are checking in and show the check-in agent your onward ticket to Vietnam. This may help persuade them to do you a favour and just put the correct tags on the bag.
If you are able to check your bags through, then all you have to do when you land is go to the correct transfer area for your airline to obtain a boarding pass for your onward flight, which as noted above for Vietnam Airlines is area E 2. The transfer areas are actually quite near Immigration/Baggage claim. If you land at any gate higher than Gate 32, you will have to take the train into the main terminal area (for baggage claim/immigration/transfer) and then follow signs for Transfer Area E 2. If you land at a gate between 1-32, you can walk to the transfer area. There are restaurants and shopping areas near the transfer area (go one floor up to the main departure level on the 6th floor; but there is a Starbucks about 25 yards from Transfer Area E2 follow signs for Immigration) and also out near most gates. If your departure gate for your onward flight to Vietnam is 33 or above, after you get your boarding pass you will then have to take a train out to your gate, but you should have plenty of time. There are foreign exchange desks in many spots, so you could even get some Dong if you wanted to.
Otherwise if you really have to pick up your bags in Hong Kong and check in for the flight to Vietnam, then IMO as long as you arrive on time you should have enough time to make the connection, as you have 2.5 hours. Note that baggage claim, immigration and check-in are in the <i>same area for all flights</i>. (Other than for flights from Terminal 2, but your airlines don’t fly from Terminal 2, you are in the main termninal). As with transfers above, if you land at any gate higher than Gate 32, you will have to take the train into baggage claim/immigration. If you land at any gate between 1-32, you can walk to baggage claim and immigration (although it can be a longish walk). You have to go through Immigration, if the line is long, try to beg your way toward the front by speaking with a uniformed immigration agent or travelers at the front of the line. You will then have to get your bags, exit through the two sets of glass doors out into the arrivals hall, and go upstairs where the departure hall/check-in area is located (look for the elevators in the center and at each end of the arrival hall) to check-in for your flight. Vietnam Airlines check-in is in Aisle D. Again if the check-in line is long, try to beg your way toward the front. You then have to go through security, Immigration and then get out to your gate (to which you may or may not have to take the underground train depending on your gate number).
If you are able to check your bags through, then all you have to do when you land is go to the correct transfer area for your airline to obtain a boarding pass for your onward flight, which as noted above for Vietnam Airlines is area E 2. The transfer areas are actually quite near Immigration/Baggage claim. If you land at any gate higher than Gate 32, you will have to take the train into the main terminal area (for baggage claim/immigration/transfer) and then follow signs for Transfer Area E 2. If you land at a gate between 1-32, you can walk to the transfer area. There are restaurants and shopping areas near the transfer area (go one floor up to the main departure level on the 6th floor; but there is a Starbucks about 25 yards from Transfer Area E2 follow signs for Immigration) and also out near most gates. If your departure gate for your onward flight to Vietnam is 33 or above, after you get your boarding pass you will then have to take a train out to your gate, but you should have plenty of time. There are foreign exchange desks in many spots, so you could even get some Dong if you wanted to.
Otherwise if you really have to pick up your bags in Hong Kong and check in for the flight to Vietnam, then IMO as long as you arrive on time you should have enough time to make the connection, as you have 2.5 hours. Note that baggage claim, immigration and check-in are in the <i>same area for all flights</i>. (Other than for flights from Terminal 2, but your airlines don’t fly from Terminal 2, you are in the main termninal). As with transfers above, if you land at any gate higher than Gate 32, you will have to take the train into baggage claim/immigration. If you land at any gate between 1-32, you can walk to baggage claim and immigration (although it can be a longish walk). You have to go through Immigration, if the line is long, try to beg your way toward the front by speaking with a uniformed immigration agent or travelers at the front of the line. You will then have to get your bags, exit through the two sets of glass doors out into the arrivals hall, and go upstairs where the departure hall/check-in area is located (look for the elevators in the center and at each end of the arrival hall) to check-in for your flight. Vietnam Airlines check-in is in Aisle D. Again if the check-in line is long, try to beg your way toward the front. You then have to go through security, Immigration and then get out to your gate (to which you may or may not have to take the underground train depending on your gate number).
Apr 24th, 2009, 08:21 AM
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Thanks for the advice cicerone, i havent rung VA yet but as soon as i firm up my itinirary i will do so. I am REALLY hoping we will be able to check thru but at least there is hope it's do-able if they won't (as i imagine you have been thru HKG many times!)
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