Early Qantas flight from Hong Kong to London in July.

[auspal]

Now thats a thought as well. Having made all the bookings though I will probably stick to the original plan. I'm used to getting up at 4.30am for work so the early morning start wont worry me too much.

 

[slaussie]

60 min check in deadline for international flights is exactly that - a deadline. That's when the flight closes for check in and so you will need to have been checked in by that time. Clearly, if everybody was to rock up at -60, they will not have completed check in formalities on time, unless of course the flight is kept open for check in to accommodate late runners, which is costly to the airline and I am sure you will agree not in the interest of anybody actually flying on that plane, not to mention those with onward connectors. Late runners cause an enourmous amount of problems for the rest, so don't be one of them. In my opinion late runners should not be accommodated and should be left behind to find alternative travel arrangements at THEIR expense.

 

[Danger]

From memory the first airport train leaves Kowloon before 6:00am and gets in to HKG airport ~6:15am. Edit, actually the airpot train leaves Hong Kong at 5:50am and Kowloon at 5:53am.

What makes it even easier is that you can avoid the airport check-in queues and use in town check-in at Hong Kong and Kowloon train stations as long as you check-in>90 minutes before your flight which would be very possible if your flight departs at 7:35am and you should be in the Qantas Lounge before 6:00am waiting for the departure of your flight.

I have used in town check-in where my flight time was 8:00am and had plenty of time to spare.

On the subject of using the early check-in at Hong Kong and Kowloon Airport Express Line stations, is this open between 24 hours and 90 minutes prior? Is there a dedicated Qantas counter or is it a shared facility? I may have a tight connection on arrival into SYD (flying HKG-xSYD-PER) and would like to help my bags arrive quickly. Will they get the appropriate F tag at these stations?

 

[serfty]

Not open when the train is not running (~Midnight to 5:30am)

You can check luggage the day before (I have not done so but the counter for QF flights would be well signed).

 

[NM]

(I have not done so but the counter for QF flights would be well signed).

Yes,very easy to locate the QF counters. Each check-in desk has a sign above indicating the airlines they are servicing. I have never had more than one person in front of me in the queue and have used the in-town check-in at least 20 times.

You do need to purchase your Airport Express ticket first and swipe it to get to the check-in desk area.

 

[sinophile888]

I caught a taxi from Mongkok to the airport last week; it cost HK$250 including 4 pieces of luggage. A taxi seems the best alternative for your times by far.

 

[Danger]

Hmmm. I expect to be staying in Sha Tin. Is this going to complicate my plans of checking-in early at one of the two stations? That is, will be right out of my way?

 

[Awesom Andy]

Hmmm. I expect to be staying in Sha Tin. Is this going to complicate my plans of checking-in early at one of the two stations? That is, will be right out of my way?

Sha Tin is quite out of the way in the sense of using the express train from Kowloon. I'm sure others would have suggestions, although I'm not quite familiar with that area.

 

[djfuzz]

Hmmm. I expect to be staying in Sha Tin. Is this going to complicate my plans of checking-in early at one of the two stations? That is, will be right out of my way?

Just left HKG and visited Sha Tin - well out of your way, unless you go for a trip into town with your checked bags and change lines a couple of times on the way in. If you're staying at the Hyatt Regency, I can recommend their other property in TST which is much more convenient, right above TST metro, two stops from Central.

There is a dedicated QF desk at the in-town check-in, but I don't know about the likelihood of getting F tags. Best to take a cab to the airport, probably HKD 300-350ish from Sha Tin.

Just missed the opening of the Wing on our way out, but the staff at the CX F check-in were able to fix up issues with the FF numbers showing up on our BPs due to award bookings which no one else seemed to be able to do, as well as help us with our baggage allowance and seat allocation. I'd skip in-town and go to the airport simply for the peace of mind. On the other hand, with no checked bags or other issues, would choose in-town every time.

 

[serfty]

Why don't you check in the day before and use your carry-on for the last nights needs?

Sha Tin, Hong Kong to Airport Express Kowloon Station (close To Airport Express Platform) Car Park - Google Maps

 

[Danger]

Just left HKG and visited Sha Tin - well out of your way, unless you go for a trip into town with your checked bags and change lines a couple of times on the way in. If you're staying at the Hyatt Regency, I can recommend their other property in TST which is much more convenient, right above TST metro, two stops from Central.

There is a dedicated QF desk at the in-town check-in, but I don't know about the likelihood of getting F tags. Best to take a cab to the airport, probably HKD 300-350ish from Sha Tin.

Just missed the opening of the Wing on our way out, but the staff at the CX F check-in were able to fix up issues with the FF numbers showing up on our BPs due to award bookings which no one else seemed to be able to do, as well as help us with our baggage allowance and seat allocation. I'd skip in-town and go to the airport simply for the peace of mind. On the other hand, with no checked bags or other issues, would choose in-town every time.

Yes, I'm looking at the Hyatt Sha Tin. The Hyatt TST is a lot more expensive.

Why don't you check in the day before and use your carry-on for the last nights needs?

Sha Tin, Hong Kong to Airport Express Kowloon Station (close To Airport Express Platform) Car Park - Google Maps

That sounds like an option, except I'll be on QF128 that departs at night. If early check-in only opens 24 hours before, I'd have to have my bags there late in the evening prior.

Perhaps I'll look at a taxi from the Hyatt Sha Tin to one of the two early check-in stations and go from there.

 

[serfty]

...
That sounds like an option, except I'll be on QF128 that departs at night. If early check-in only opens 24 hours before, I'd have to have my bags there late in the evening prior.

Perhaps I'll look at a taxi from the Hyatt Sha Tin to one of the two early check-in stations and go from there.

In that case just do as I did when on QF128 - check out of the hotel; take bags to station and check-in. Take the rest of the day around town before grabbing the train to the Airport. Only issue is the size/portability of your carry-on.

 

[Awesom Andy]

In that case just do as I did when on QF128 - check out of the hotel; take bags to station and check-in. Take the rest of the day around town before grabbing the train to the Airport. Only issue is the size/portability of your carry-on.

If I'm not mistaken, there should be left luggage facilities available in Kowloon station (although I have never used the station myself). It would be perfect for your carry-on, as you can simply pick it up in the late afternoon and hop straight on to the train.