Okay, in regards to the helicopter...
Clearly we have one based on the screencap, and just as clearly Geoff's faux nail biting in the preview appears to be in a helicopter. But where does that exactly come in?
Here are some shots of the interiors of Macau-HK heli rides to compare:
Looks pretty good right?
BUT (and it is a big but)...
While this would definitrly SEEM to be the best place to use that helicopter, I've looked all over this morning and cannot find a
direct helicopter ride from Macao to the HK airport.
What IS available is a chopper ride from the Macau Maritime Terminal to the Sun Tek Center:
Heli Express:
http://www.heliexpress.com/?structure=003Heli Express provides helicopter shuttle services from 9:00a.m. to 11:00p.m. between Macau and Hong Kong with flights departing every 30 minutes, and as frequent as 15 minutes during weekends and peak holidays. Passengers can experience the pleasure of journey between Macau and Hong Kong. During the voyage, passengers can enjoy a unique bird eye's view of Macau Peninsula and Victoria Harbour at the top angle.
The cost? $2200HK +$200 Sunday supplement.
But the problem is that it doesn't go to the airport:
The Hong Kong Heliport is conveniently situated at the Hong Kong - Macau Ferry Terminal in Sheung Wan, in the hub of Hong Kong. It is located above the Sheung Wan MTR station .
This gives you some options on how to get from the HK airport to the Heliport--so just reverse it to get to the airport:
When I arrive at Hong Kong International Airport, how can I get to HK heliport?
Ans: There are several options to get from the Hong Kong International Airport to the Hong Kong Heliport:
1) Via Airport Express
First, take the Airport Express to the Hong Kong Station in Central
Fare: HK$100 (Single trip)
Frequency: Every 10 minutes
Journey Time: 23 minutes
Operating hours: 05:50 – 00:48
Then take a taxi to the Hong Kong - Macau Ferry Terminal at Sheung Wan
Fare: HK$15 – 20
2) By public bus no. A11
Get off at the third stop after departing the airport, when “HK-Macau Ferry Terminal” is announced.
Fare: HK$40
Operating hours: 05:00 – 00:48
Frequency: Every 15 minutes
Journey time: 30 – 40 minutes
3) By taxi
Fare: HK$350 – 400
Journey time: 30 minutes
So 16 minutes flying time + the trip to the airport once in HK....seems to negate the flying time advantage.
UNLESS they did not want to wait for the direct TurboJet which DOES go direct to the airport.
And look, you can even do the Immigration there and be checked in to your plane, so seems an advantage,
as long as you can get on promptly.
For Connecting Flights at Hong Kong International Airport
Airline and baggage check-in service available at Check-in Counter on 1/F, Departure Hall. Boarding pass of participating airlines will be issued to passenger after check-in and passengers will not need to go through any check-in procedures upon arriving SkyPier and also no need to go through immigration formalities at Hong Kong International Airport. Baggage will be tagged and delivered to the designated flight.
Participating airlines:
Cathay Pacific Airways / Dragonair / Japan Airlines / Hong Kong Airlines / HK Express Airways
Notes:
- Check-in counter closing time: 30 minutes before sailing time (please check sailing schedule in advance for flight connection)
- Passengers should arrive at HKIA at least 90 minutes before flight departure
- Japan Airlines only applicable to flight no: JL736, JL732, JL702 (Final destination of the journey should be in Tokyo or Osaka)
- There will be a service charge of HK$20 for each passenger using the service
This takes you directly to the Hong Kong International Airport SkyPier and costs substantially less. (I calculate about $308 US for the flight?)
1.00 HKD = 0.128991 USD
Hong Kong Dollars United States Dollars
1 HKD = 0.128991 USD 1 USD = 7.75248 HKD
The Macau pataca is pegged to the Hong Kong dollar (which is in turn pegged to the U.S. dollar) at a rate of $103.20 ptcs to HK$100; if you're going to be in Macau for only a short time, there's no need to change your money into patacas since Hong Kong dollars are readily accepted everywhere in Macau. Hotel rates, in fact, are generally quoted only in Hong Kong dollars. If you do exchange U.S. dollars or U.K. pounds (which you can do at banks, generally open weekdays from 9am to 5pm; at hotels; or an ATM at the ferry), you'll receive approximately $8 ptcs for each US$1, $15 ptcs for each £1.
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So despite all this, we know G&T make that 11:20 AM flight and realistically prob need to be at the airport at least an hour ahead of time, then add whatever transport they do take and you have a BUNGY/SkyJump time well before opening hours at the Tower.
So either a special opening time was arranged OR these jumps were done on May 31 during the extended Pitstop.... Just a thought.