How long for a HKG transit time (PEK-HKG-BKK)

[Steady]

I am looking at booking a CX award PEK-HKG-BKK.
Aside from the standard (short) transits, I can choose either a 4h transit, or a 7.5h transit via mutlicity - I want a few hours lounge time and a 4 hour transit would normally be sufficient, allowing an hour delay - but I hear there are frequent multiple hour delays when flying to and from China.

What do others do or recommend?

 

[andmiz]

4 hours should be sufficiently long. You are right, the delays out of China (caused by ATC) are ridiculous. When booking, search for your specific PEK-HKG flight number on Flightaware.com and check out what the average delay time is. Use that to guide your decision. I do think 7.5 hours is too long when banking on an unknown variable.

 

[JohnK]

Even with a 2 hour delay you should still have 2 hours lounge time.

You wouldn't want arrival to be on time with a 7.5h transit unless you were planning a long lounge crwal.

 

[mannej]

HKG is a very efficient airport (I.e MCT is under an hour).

4 hours should be ample

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Agree, four hours is fine. If it's on time plenty of lounging. If it's 2-3 hours delayed you'll probably just be thankful you make the connection

 

[Steady]

Thanks all

 

[Lemon_Party]

Thanks all

When I've flown CX from Shanghai, at check in they proactively moved my flight based on delays and just shifted me to the next one due to leave (an earlier flight also delayed) - I think I ended up on Cathay Dragon last time who were fine. They seemed very used to doing that for connecting pax.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

When I've flown CX from Shanghai, at check in they proactively moved my flight based on delays and just shifted me to the next one due to leave (an earlier flight also delayed) - I think I ended up on Cathay Dragon last time who were fine. They seemed very used to doing that for connecting pax.

Indeed very common... except it can reach a point where they've moved everyone forward they can, and a cancellation means pax are left behind. It's always worth checking CX's flight status page to see if there are rolling delays and if so, to call in and be moved proactively. That 'guarantees' you a seat on the earlier flight.