BKK - Domestic to International Transfer

[Gold60]

Hi All,

In October I will fly into BKK from CNX on TG, on its own PNR.

About 3 hours later I will need to catch a SQ Award flight on a separate PNR to come home to BNE, via SIN.

Both flights are in Business

What is the BKK DOM to INT transfer process like; what is the process; should about 3 hours be enough to get around the airport building - it is all in the one BIG building isn't it?

Obviously, I presume, I will have to do the baggage reclaim, and then do the normal international check-in?

I tried to find this info on the BKK airport website, but it either wasn't working, or was no longer available.

TIA

 

[JohnK]

The transfer in BKK is relatively painless and is done airside. There is a transfer desk you may be able to use to transfer to SQ if needed.

If not able to use transfer desk getting off domestic is easy and a couple of hundred metres walk to check in for international then fast track immigration and you'll have time in the lounge.

 

[Gold60]

Thank you JohnK - i had a feeling you would be the man for the occasion !!!

Why might i not be able to use the transfer desk - is it because of my ticketing arrangements, etc ?

What, if anything would i need, or need to do beforehand to use the transfer desk?

What is the fast track immigration process you mention all about ?

The transfer in BKK is relatively painless and is done airside. There is a transfer desk you may be able to use to transfer to SQ if needed.

If not able to use transfer desk getting off domestic is easy and a couple of hundred metres walk to check in for international then fast track immigration and you'll have time in the lounge.

 

[JohnK]

Thank you JohnK - i had a feeling you would be the man for the occasion !!!

Why might i not be able to use the transfer desk - is it because of my ticketing arrangements, etc ?

What, if anything would i need, or need to do beforehand to use the transfer desk?

What is the fast track immigration process you mention all about ?

I'm not sure every airline participates at the transfer desk. If SQ is there they will issue boarding pass and transfer luggage to onward flight and you can go through transfer security. The SQ lounge is not far from there as you down closer to the C-D concourses.

The fast track is a card that is given at check-in and you bypass the security queues. Economy queues through security/immigration can take up to 60 minutes.

I'm there again next month and can check.

 

[jase05]

The transfer in BKK is relatively painless and is done airside. There is a transfer desk you may be able to use to transfer to SQ if needed.

If not able to use transfer desk getting off domestic is easy and a couple of hundred metres walk to check in for international then fast track immigration and you'll have time in the lounge.

I don’t know why but BKK would have the slowest baggage handlers that I’ve experienced. Everytime we go there it takes about 30 minutes to arrive.

 

[Gold60]

not encouraging.....

I don’t know why but BKK would have the slowest baggage handlers that I’ve experienced. Everytime we go there it takes about 30 minutes to arrive.

 

[Gold60]

Thank you John....

I'm not sure every airline participates at the transfer desk. If SQ is there they will issue boarding pass and transfer luggage to onward flight and you can go through transfer security. The SQ lounge is not far from there as you down closer to the C-D concourses.

The fast track is a card that is given at check-in and you bypass the security queues. Economy queues through security/immigration can take up to 60 minutes.

I'm there again next month and can check.

 

[jase05]

not encouraging.....

You will be fine, as John said it’s a pretty straightforward airport to manoeuvre

 

[Gold60]

i have been in and out of the airport before on a couple of occasions - but have never done the transfer thing, so it should be interesting.....

You will be fine, as John said it’s a pretty straightforward airport to manoeuvre

 

[JohnK]

I don’t know why but BKK would have the slowest baggage handlers that I’ve experienced. Everytime we go there it takes about 30 minutes to arrive.

I once waited 45 minutes for golf clubs when we arrived from CNX. They went to lunch together and no one to get the oversize items. My wife gave them a serve and half in Thai. Not even apologetic.

 

[SuzieQ68]

Why might i not be able to use the transfer desk - is it because of my ticketing arrangements, etc ?

What, if anything would i need, or need to do beforehand to use the transfer desk?

What is the fast track immigration process you mention all about ?

Given that both flights (CNX-BKK & BKK-BNE) are in Business and TG & SQ are both Star Alliance carriers, with a bit of luck I believe you may be able to check your luggage all the way through to BNE from CNX - provided the TG ground staff in CNX are up to speed. That would then just require BP's to be issued to you in BKK unless (as Star Alliance carriers) the TG ground staff in CNX are able to issue boarding passes for the SQ legs as well. On this I can't confirm, but I have had SQ's BKK ground staff issue BP's for a VA domestic flight that wasn't part of the same PNR so could be possible.

I haven't actually done the DOM-INT transfer in BKK myself however. If you do get your bags checked right through but can't get BP's in CNX, would assume you'd be able to just collect your BP's airside at the transfer desk in BKK (although I don't know where that is when arriving domestically into BKK - ground staff at BKK are pretty good though so just ask for directions). You will probably also need to show your baggage tags to the SQ ground staff at the transfer desk.

With regards to the fast track, if you do have to go landside to check in with SQ, you should definitely receive this when you get your SQ BP's as you're flying Business. It's a pass that allows you to clear security and immigration in a separate area to the general travelling public. It makes a difference - the queues for security and immigration can be very long!!!

Point to note if you haven't been to BKK recently, the SQ lounge has moved. Can't 100% recall which gates it's between, but it's now located along Concourse D and close to where SQ depart.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[Gold60]

Just some airline (TG) feedback i got on the weekend......

2nd answer ………… Ask CNX if they can give you the boarding pass for SQ, otherwise if they cant you can get it from the transfer desk in side transit. If SQ don’t have a transit desk you may need to go out and re-check in………………….

(same original question - with a short follow up)​

1st answer …………………….. When you depart CNX if you show them your SQ ticket they will be able to tag your bags right through for you………………….​

It looks as though it might not be that much of a drama after-all, if things go as they seem as though they might.

Am a bit tempted to only take HLO - did up a fairly extensive packing list last night, and it didn't amount to much at all!!

The planning goes on, and on................