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[science_expat]

I'm flying Qantas from London to Melbourne with a "technical stop" in Hong Kong. Does anyone know what this means?

Clearly, the plane will be re-fueled and the crew changed and presumably the plane will be cleaned as well. Assuming the latter, I expect (hope) that passengers will disembark for an hour or so. Is this correct? And if so, will we have to go through security? (I'm thinking about the bottle of duty free that I intend to purchase in Heathrow.)

Thanks for any information; I've never travelled through Hong Kong airport before nor had a stopover as opposed to a flight change.

[lorelei]

You can disembark on that flight. However, beware that Hong Kong airport does not have PA announcements, so keep track of the time so you don't miss getting back on board in time!
You don't go through security.
Regarding duty-free, Australia forbids bringing in liquids in handluggage AT ALL, even duty free. So if you want wine or Jack Daniels, you will have to buy that on arrival at Melbourne airport.

[scotia]

On a couple of trips to the Far East I have been on planes that are bound for Australian airports with a stop in HK or Singapore. On both occasions the advertised destination of the plane changed (on the second occasion everyone who thought they were on a plane to Melbourne found that they had to change planes in Singapore because our plane was instead going to Perth). I am not sure if this is some weird artefact of code-sharing, a problem with crew hours, or for other reasons. I will ask around about whether disembarkation is required/possible - at least two of my colleagues have been in Australia recently, and I am fairly sure that one of them travelled via HK.

Also, lorelei is correct about the fact that you cannot purchase alcohol at Heathrow and take it on a plane to Australia (see http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/gb/passengerinformation/baggage/liquids.jsp#liq6 for example). New Zealand has similar restrictions.

[science_expat]

Thanks for the information, everyone. I did a bit of digging on the duty free issue and here's the scoop:

If you want to purchase duty free items when travelling internationally you need to be aware that these items (if packed in your carry-on baggage) are subject to the same restrictions as other liquids, aerosols and gels.

Australia applies restrictions for flights both to and from Australia. Australia requires airlines to put in place procedures at overseas airports for flights to Australia, to ensure that passengers do not have liquids, aerosols and gels in their carry-on baggage in excess of the restrictions. In general, the only liquids, aerosols and gels that are allowed in a passenger's carry-on baggage are:

    * liquids, aerosols and gels in containers of 100 millilitres or less, in one resealable bag. The four sides of the resealable area should not add up to more than 80 cm (e.g. 20x20 cm or 15x25 cm);
    * duty free liquids, aersols and gels purchased at the airport and delivered to the boarding gate for the passenger. No other duty free will be permitted (e.g. duty free purchased at Heathrow will not be permitted through Singapore); and
    * liquid, aerosol or gel products supplied to the passenger onboard the aircraft after departure for Australia (e.g. cans of drink supplied in-flight or duty free purchased on board the aircraft).

(http://travelsecure.infrastructure.gov.au/international/lags/dutyfree_to.aspx)

Looks like I'll be buying my whiskey in Hong Kong, if at all.

[lorelei]

Looks like I'll be buying my whiskey in Hong Kong, if at all.

There is this:
http://www.inskyshopping.com/

And as I mentioned, there is the opportunity to buy duty free on arrival at Tullamarine, before going through customs.

[science_expat]

So, here's my experience.

1) Brought on board lots of water but no booze (well except for 3 100ml containers) at Heathrow.

2) In Hong Kong, we were told to take our valuables but we could leave stuff on board provided it was in the overhead compartment.

3) Disembarked and went straight through a security check, including liquids so (as expected) threw away a partial bottle of water.

4) Purchased one bottle of water in Hong Kong (at Mannings upstairs, very difficult to find any) but was warned that wouldn't be allowed to take it on board. Never even considered buying booze.

5) All bags were opened and searched for liquids while boarding - in the extending gangway thingie that goes to the plane. My water was confiscated.

6) On board, merrily opened bottle of water from Heathrow.

7) Upon arrival in Melbourne, carried one bottle with me with expectation of losing it at security. However, never went through any security, just immigration and customs.

YMMV

[mystictechgal]

If you've not flown to AU before, be aware that they are, for good reason, particularly sensitive to any consumables coming into the country.  Our flight landed in NZ first. (They have shower facilities as I'd guess Hong Kong might, also.  If your layover is long enough--30 min. or more--I'd suggest using them.  A shower and change of underwear does wonders on a long flight like that.)  We got breakfast on the flight from NZ to AU.  I ate most of mine, but, without thinking much about it, dropped a gorgeous banana into my carry-on bag to eat later.  It's a NZ connection--what could be the problem? (Not that I was really thinking about that.)  While waiting for my luggage a beautiful Beagle came over to say "Hi".  A few moments of confusion later and my beautiful banana went into the trash and I was thanking the nice officer for not arresting me on the spot.  No one ever questioned me about my water, but they take these things very seriously.

It really was a beautiful Beagle.  They won't mind if you want to play with it for a bit after it's done its duty. 

[pikachu]

So, here's my experience.

7) Upon arrival in Melbourne, carried one bottle with me with expectation of losing it at security. However, never went through any security, just immigration and customs.

There are no security checks at final destinations. These are only done before you board any flights, for obvious safety reasons.

[lorelei]

If you've not flown to AU before, be aware that they are, for good reason, particularly sensitive to any consumables coming into the country.  

The issue is not 'consumable'. The issue is AGRICULTURAL. Packaged foods are generally ok.