CX 617 1/24 load check

[rickurukus]

Hello all, current pikot at Alaska Airlines here. Wife and i are trying to go HKG-BKK on January 24th on CX617. This is my first time attempting "staff travel" with Cathay Pacific. We are flying into Hong Kong on Delta from Seattle and arrive about 630pm. I know there is a CX flight at 8pm but I didn't think we would make it so I listed us on the later flight... is it possible to make it through in an hour and a half? I read we need to head out of security to the standby travel counter to check in. I also listed on Emirates and Thai Airways as well in case this route does no work out... any information or advice is greatly appreciated!

Cheers

Rick

[Arfur Dent]

Good luck with CX. Not well known for being very user friendly to say the least. For very up to date loads ( including Staff listings) try :
IdDeals.com
Hope it all works for you.

[Sam Ting Wong]

90 min is quite tight, depends on the line at immigration I would say. Delta and Cathay are at the same terminal, after you picked up your bags take an immediate right turn in the arrival hall, go up the escalator one floor, then to the end of the departure hall, very left hand corner. Look for the staff travel desk, usually quite efficient. However, unfortunately no upgrades or jumps.
Register with them and get a number if your flight is full, about 50 min before departure they will try to allocate seats and call out your number if you get on. If loading is light you will get a boarding pass right away.

617 on 24/1 booking does not look great though, only one seat showing at the moment ( internal network, can't give you access code I am afraid)

Best of luck

[Hugo Peroni the IV]

Rick,

I had a look at the two CX flights you are looking at; they do look quite tight for spare seats. Not wanting to give you any anxiety but hkg-bkk won't be the easiest to get on with any carrier as the Chinese New Year rush is about to begin.

90 mins is tight but possible if you get the right gate, arrive on time etc. STW directions are pretty good.

Good luck, hope you have a great trip.

Also consider Bangkok airways. They treat staff well. If you email the Hong Kong office, they will give you their loading as % within a couple of hours.

Originally Posted by Sam Ting Wong

90 min is quite tight, depends on the line at immigration I would say. Delta and Cathay are at the same terminal, after you picked up your bags take an immediate right turn in the arrival hall, go up the escalator one floor, then to the end of the departure hall, very left hand corner. Look for the staff travel desk, usually quite efficient. However, unfortunately no upgrades or jumps.
Register with them and get a number if your flight is full, about 50 min before departure they will try to allocate seats and call out your number if you get on. If loading is light you will get a boarding pass right away.

617 on 24/1 booking does not look great though, only one seat showing at the moment ( internal network, can't give you access code I am afraid)

Best of luck

[cxorcist]

Considering Chinese New Year, I would probably re-route on Delta Seattle to Narita and then try to get to Bangkok from there. Lots of flights. I'm guessing they would be much less full than those from Hong Kong.

[swh]

The TG flights from NRT to BKK have 20+ seats on them on the 24th.

Do some research on the weather and hotels available this time of year, you will be disappointed if you leave it for the last minute.