Hong Kong "Technical Stop"

[Leecy]

Hi guys,

Sorry to bother you with another random question, but I was wondering something on my coming RTW flight this September?

My first leg is MEL-LHR with a technical stop (I'm assuming this is a fuel stop) in HKG. Just wondering if we need to disembark for this, and if so, how long will this stop be? I'll be arriving before the opening of the Lounge (I'm now a Qantas Club member (bronze) ), so wondering how long roughly I have to waste time in the airport for boarding?

This is my first flight to Europe, so I'm not sure what to expect.

Thanks for reading this and if you could help me I would be very grateful.

 

[Evan]

Assuming your flying QF then you will have to leave the plane, about 2 hrs from touch down to take off, about 1hr in the terminal to look at stuff + 20 minutes re-passing security etc. But believe me you want to get out and have a walk i think.

Not many technical stops these days that are real technical stops, CX fly HKG-BKK-SIN where BKK is a stop but you can remain on the plane. Most you have to get off the plane when stopped. They are for marketing and load purposes also flown as a single flight number.

 

[Leecy]

Assuming your flying QF then you will have to leave the plane, about 2 hrs from touch down to take off, about 1hr in the terminal to look at stuff + 20 minutes re-passing security etc. But believe me you want to get out and have a walk i think.

Not many technical stops these days that are real technical stops, CX fly HKG-BKK-SIN where BKK is a stop but you can remain on the plane. Most you have to get off the plane when stopped. They are for marketing and load purposes also flown as a single flight number.

Hi there,

Yes, sorry I am flying with Qantas QF029 I believe (meant to mention this, somehow that got left out)!

That sounds like a decent time-frame to get out and stretch the legs, thanks for that info!

One more question for a n00b like me, do I need to look at visa's or anything or do I get some sticker on my boarding pass that has transit visa on it or something? Sorry if I sound silly with this!

 

[Evan]

If the one in question is QF29

MEL-HKG 22:50-05:50
(Stop is 1hr 45 mins)
HKG-LHR 07:35-13:30

E

 

[Evan]

You wont need any visa, all you need is your passport and boarding pass, then they kick you off the plane, you go to one of the 2 or 3 'transfer' areas, and you have to take all your hang lugguage, they re-screen you, ie metal detector, then you go up and escalator from the arrivals back to departures its all inside the terminal and you don't ever go near immigration or any thing like that.
There will be people directing but just look for transfer and follow the people.

Oh and if you Australian you don't need a visa for Hong Kong any way so next time you may even consider a quick stop over if you want to see Hong Kong.

I feel Singapore is the best transit airport in Asia since you get let directly back out into the common arrivals/departures. Hong Kong i rate number 2, and Bangkok for me is a distant somewhere down the list for a transit. Seoul is Korea is also rather good i find, but not many transits there.

 

[Leecy]

If the one in question is QF29

MEL-HKG 22:50-05:50
(Stop is 1hr 45 mins)
HKG-LHR 07:35-13:30

E

That is correct, leaving 9th September.

Thanks for the info regarding visa's! I'm Australian, so knowing I don't need a visa in HKG is a bonus, will definitely look at staying longer next time!

Thanks so much for your insight - you have eased my mind considerably!

ETA: I chose HKG cause I heard shopping is pretty good (and cheaper than Singapore), but I may be wrong on that one!

 

[Cyclogenesis]

Never flown by HKG but have done similar via SIN...
I didnt have QC at that time but SIN has an Airport hotel and it was ~15AUD for a shower and it was worth EVERY CENT!

So one recommendation is to investigate this...

 

[Evan]

That is correct, leaving 9th September.

Thanks for the info regarding visa's! I'm Australian, so knowing I don't need a visa in HKG is a bonus, will definitely look at staying longer next time!

Thanks so much for your insight - you have eased my mind considerably!

ETA: I chose HKG cause I heard shopping is pretty good (and cheaper than Singapore), but I may be wrong on that one!

Yes, its no stress to stop in any of the common airports (BKK,SIN,HKG) all simple.

Shopping, well HKG used to be bargins, but the HKD (and CNY) have appreciated against other currency's including our AUD so the bargins are not there as much now, what you need to do is know the price of anything you want to buy in advance.

As for cost of stops, well SIN was expensive if you could not get a decent hotel cheap enough, but at the moment thats not an issue, both are very very different cities and both worth a stop, both have cheap trains to the city and taxi's in both are also reasonable.

If in HKG you can get some good to go and see the markets etc, fun just to wander around eat some food and expereince the city. Singapore is a lot cleaner and more European if you will, more green and more open space.

I know a lot will argue here but BKK to the city is not fun and goto pay a fair price for taxi etc is all not as good to have to worry about, and the city is not as easy to get around as HKG and SIN.

Anyway always thoughts for next time. For this time in Sept just enjoy the trip

 

[Leecy]

Yes, its no stress to stop in any of the common airports (BKK,SIN,HKG) all simple.

Shopping, well HKG used to be bargins, but the HKD (and CNY) have appreciated against other currency's including our AUD so the bargins are not there as much now, what you need to do is know the price of anything you want to buy in advance.

As for cost of stops, well SIN was expensive if you could not get a decent hotel cheap enough, but at the moment thats not an issue, both are very very different cities and both worth a stop, both have cheap trains to the city and taxi's in both are also reasonable.

If in HKG you can get some good to go and see the markets etc, fun just to wander around eat some food and expereince the city. Singapore is a lot cleaner and more European if you will, more green and more open space.

I know a lot will argue here but BKK to the city is not fun and goto pay a fair price for taxi etc is all not as good to have to worry about, and the city is not as easy to get around as HKG and SIN.

Anyway always thoughts for next time. For this time in Sept just enjoy the trip

Thanks for that vast information! Shame about HKG not being as bargain friendly anymore. Was hoping to get an iphone relatively cheaper and outright, since you cannot get them here.

HKG and SIN are definitely planted into my mind for next time (and there will be I assure you - I believe it will be around Jul-Sep next year), just gotta decide which one! I'd definitely want it hassle-free and cost effective getting into the city though, so BKK sounds too much of a pain to consider - who knows, time may change my mind.

Thank you again for all of your help, it's made things a little easier for me, flew non-stop to LAX last year and that was easy!

 

[Evan]

Thanks for that vast information! Shame about HKG not being as bargain friendly anymore. Was hoping to get an iphone relatively cheaper and outright, since you cannot get them here.
<..>

Funny you should mention apple products but earlier in the year Australia was the cheapest place in the world to by an iPhone, and even upto a couple of months ago the iPod's / iTouch is cheapest in AU !, even the airport judy free competes or is cheaper than the likes of JB HI-FI with gst removed.

I have purchased a few ipods like th 120gb classics for friends on my runs back here since they were so cheap. Again, its a matter of knowing the prices more than anything.
Some things are cheaper in some countries, even if they are same brands and similar product lines.

I won't say its not a bargin, some things are cheap, simply you should be careful to know the price points. For example last year fujitsu notebooks were a bargin in HKG airport, hundreds of $$ cheaper than Singapore or Australia. Yes some things no different in price.

 

[Leecy]

Funny you should mention apple products but earlier in the year Australia was the cheapest place in the world to by an iPhone, and even upto a couple of months ago the iPod's / iTouch is cheapest in AU !, even the airport judy free competes or is cheaper than the likes of JB HI-FI with gst removed.

I have purchased a few ipods like th 120gb classics for friends on my runs back here since they were so cheap. Again, its a matter of knowing the prices more than anything.
Some things are cheaper in some countries, even if they are same brands and similar product lines.

I won't say its not a bargin, some things are cheap, simply you should be careful to know the price points. For example last year fujitsu notebooks were a bargin in HKG airport, hundreds of $$ cheaper than Singapore or Australia. Yes some things no different in price.

I thought you couldn't get them outright anymore in Aus! That's definitely news to me!

Thanks for that info, might have to browse around and see what prices are out there (specifically if there's anything I need/want), luckily I have only 2 hours max or my spending money would be gone quite quickly! :shock:

 

[Evan]

Sorry i am not sure if you can get them outright any more, i only know the situation from a whiole ago, i know it got a lot harder to get them and i was told if you wanted 8gb no problems, but 16gb was never available.
I think now if your Aussie its cheap enough to juet get them on a plane, somebody i think straitman mentioned in my smart phone thread that Optus is doing them for $49 a month on a plan or something reasonably cheap.

 

[Leecy]

Sorry i am not sure if you can get them outright any more, i only know the situation from a whiole ago, i know it got a lot harder to get them and i was told if you wanted 8gb no problems, but 16gb was never available.
I think now if your Aussie its cheap enough to juet get them on a plane, somebody i think straitman mentioned in my smart phone thread that Optus is doing them for $49 a month on a plan or something reasonably cheap.

It wouldn't worry me if it was 8gb or 16gb, I have an iTouch 2G and never leave home without it, don't wanna get on a plan though, I'm still halfway through my contract with Tel$tra, maybe paying it out and getting a new plan with them might work out cheaper! Might have to look into it.

The deal sounds good, but wouldn't ever go with Optus, my dealings with them have been rather unpleasant, and I've never been a customer with them!

Just shattered they don't sell them outright.

 

[toowongman]

Just shattered they don't sell them outright.

Optus sell iphones on prepaid, $799 8GB, $899 16GB, and can be unlocked after you buy $80 of recharge vouchers. Not the cheapest way, but some people can be really desperate.

 

[Evan]

Optus sell iphones on prepaid, $799 8GB, $899 16GB, and can be unlocked after you buy $80 of recharge vouchers. Not the cheapest way, but some people can be really desperate.

I wonder if they are really locked to optus or only in Australia, i could get a post paid contract (i have one but no phone commitments) and then just put my overseas sim in it, usually works fine, but no idea how iphone works.
Evan $900 is now cheaper than some of the nokia etc out there, some brands have gone crazy on the price of phones.

 

[toowongman]

I wonder if they are really locked to optus or only in Australia, i could get a post paid contract (i have one but no phone commitments) and then just put my overseas sim in it, usually works fine, but no idea how iphone works.
Evan $900 is now cheaper than some of the nokia etc out there, some brands have gone crazy on the price of phones.

Upon first setup of the iphone, it is locked to the SIM that comes with the phone. Different to regular postpaid phones. However, if you buy an iphone on a contract of some sort the unlock should be cheaper or free, depending on the carrier.

 

[NM]

I'll be arriving before the opening of the Lounge (I'm now a Qantas Club member (bronze) ), so wondering how long roughly I have to waste time in the airport for boarding?

What makes you think the Qantas Club lounge will not be open at the time you arrive? The HKG Qantas Club lounge is open for at least 90 mins before each Qantas departure and that includes the QF29 morning departure to London. The lounge is listed on the Qantas web site as opening at 6am. Your QF29 flight is scheduled to arrive at 5:50am. So by the time you disembark and find your way to the transit area and through security and up to the departures level and then up to the lounge mezzanine level, the lounge will be open.

Qantas normally have someone waiting at the arrival gate asking passengers if they are "in transit" and if so they will place a Qantas sticker on your shirt and sometimes they also hand you a Qantas "Transit Card" (about the size or a large bookmark) that shows the location of the Qantas Lounge and the boarding gates most commonly used by Qantas departures.

 

[Evan]

I never figured out what the stickers are for, maybe the immigration people watch out for them and say hey, are you in transit, go over there instead ?

NM is right, i do believe the Qantas club will be open for that flight. Last time i was at HKG airport that early i had not slept + drinking and was catching the HKG-LHR flight but being WP i headed straight to the CX lounge for some sleep and breakfast type drinks.
My mate was so drunk i was worried they would not let him out of the country ! Very funny morning i can tell you.
I think i was getting on QF29 but cant remember, it may have been a BA flight because i think i arrived T5 and then departed T5 to my final destination.

 

[Leecy]

What makes you think the Qantas Club lounge will not be open at the time you arrive? The HKG Qantas Club lounge is open for at least 90 mins before each Qantas departure and that includes the QF29 morning departure to London. The lounge is listed on the Qantas web site as opening at 6am. Your QF29 flight is scheduled to arrive at 5:50am. So by the time you disembark and find your way to the transit area and through security and up to the departures level and then up to the lounge mezzanine level, the lounge will be open.

Qantas normally have someone waiting at the arrival gate asking passengers if they are "in transit" and if so they will place a Qantas sticker on your shirt and sometimes they also hand you a Qantas "Transit Card" (about the size or a large bookmark) that shows the location of the Qantas Lounge and the boarding gates most commonly used by Qantas departures.

Thanks for that - I thought I'd seen on my documents that I arrive at 4:50am, might have to check that, but yeah, the Qantas website stated the lounge opened at 6:00am, so you could be right - I hope it is due to the fact I wanna have something decent to eat and have a quiet place to stretch my legs (and if I get time - a shower hopefully). I know I won't get any sleep on the flight - I have real trouble sleeping in planes, cars and such so even just to rest my head for a bit would suffice.

ETA: Just checked - don't know why I thought it was 4:50am - it's 5:50am, which is a lot better - looks like lounge is a go.

 

[Keith009]

And unlike the technical stop in SIN, you do not need to remove your stuff from the plane at HKG. (well, apart from your id documentation)