Hong Kong International Airport Passenger Reviews and Customer opinions

Airline Reviews

Airline Seat Reviews

Airport Reviews

Use Hong Kong airport frequently and found it to be efficient as it used to be. Choices of food and costs are excellent. I enjoy the airy and spacious waiting areas. I do not need to get to get my bags checked at the boarding gate and be locked there. Although it is quite a superb airport, it needs more identity to show it uniqueness. All new airports are more or less looking the same with the metallic grey and blue colour scheme. Facilities start to show signs of ageing.

Recently travelled through Hong Kong and my main issue was baggage handling. The time it took from disembarking my CX flight to reaching the main concourse was over one hour due to being held up by baggage not coming out. I was particularly frustrated and anxious as I only had a 2 hour connection for a QF flight. As more people gathered around the belt, by the time the luggage eventually came out, it was chaotic and a matter of push and shove to collect bags. Problem was compounded with long immigration and security lines and 2 of the end counters for immigration were not in use which was very poor supervision by staff considering the situation. Once on the main concourse after 1.5 hrs, whilst I couldn't get a thorough look around, there weren't many Western food outlets and just lines of shops, it really didn't offer much. Departures was just as bad and customs and immigration once again inefficient. Signage is terrible and almost missed my flight looking for the gate and had to ask several staff as many of them had a poor command for English and some were just rude as they replied to me in their native language and walked off. Very disappointed and would avoid if I could.

Superb airport, sets the standard! Clean, efficient and packed with numerous facilities that make the hours spent there fly. Excellent transport links to and from Hong Kong, Macau and mainland China. There are numerous and varied restaurants and shops offering good value and the airport's free internet actually works! My only complaint would be slow baggage arrival on a number of occasions from Air Asia and Emirates flights I have been on. I believe this is down to an external company of ground handling agents.

I am a very regular traveller through Hong Kong International Airport and, although it is for most services, one of the best in the world, their luggage belt delivery has been declining quite drastically in the last few months. Virtually each time I wait for my luggage, an announcement is made that that "due to a technical problem, passengers on flight X might wait longer for their baggage". In fact, it has now happened to me 3 times in the last month. The delay was severe, almost an hour. This seems to be a regular problem now and quite a shame considering it is otherwise an excellent airport.

Flew in and out of Hong Kong on Thai airways from Mumbai and Bangkok. Very impressive airport especially when you fly in from Mumbai. Great immigration - cleared in 5 mins. Bags a bit delayed getting out but all in all efficient. They need better signage to let you know how to get to town. Town check in facility was great - lovely to be able to check in your bag in town and then relax and get to the airport free of luggage. Definitely one of the more customer friendly airports in the world.

Very good airport. Terminals are clean, plenty of stuff to see and great Internet reception. Would visit HKG again!

I've read reviews which imply that HKG's standards may be slipping. I'm not sure I agree, as I found the airport to be as efficient as on previous occasions – quick immigration clearance despite long queues, and on the MTR into town about 30 mins after landing. However, the airport seems to be heading the way of British airports, and is becoming a shopping centre first and an airport second. The upper level airside used to have lots of comfy seats, but these have now been removed to make way for even more "shopping opportunities” and restaurants – yet there is still plenty of unused space which could be used for seats! It seems that the only way to get a seat without buying something is to head straight for the gates, where there is lots of seating (and better views of the runways). My other complaint is that there is still hardly anywhere to buy bottled drinks, etc. airside – there are several branches of Relay towards the gates, but they have a poor range of products compared to their European stores. Is it really too much to ask to have a few branches of 7-11 or OK at HKG? Other than those complaints, it's still a great airport, and it's also still true to say that nowhere in Europe comes close.

ADL-HKG. I had a very good experience with HKIA. The airport is clean and efficient. But for some reason this time, they just couldn't get the luggage of my flight onto the belt. As a result of this, all passengers and together with the crew were waiting inside the hall for one hour! I think this is unacceptable for a world-class five stars international airport. I really hope this is just a particular incident. And other than that, all good. Custom and immigration is as efficient as usual. Still recommend this airport.

This airport was efficient, clean and extremely clear. Very cleverly designed and built airport, everything works like a charm. A lot of people at the airport at the same time, but doesn't get crowded. All facilities extremely clean and well maintained. Even though the staff doesn't always speak English at all, everything works out very well. Nothing to complain about!

Check-in was fast, efficient and smooth, even though they didn't really smile at all. Toilets are always very clean. Shops quite expensive.

Traveled around the CNY period. It was busy, but that's expected at this peak time. Immigration and baggage times took some time, prefer shorter but cannot say it is the worst I've seen. Place seems clean with plenty of facilities. Lots of free carts to use. Needed to take a long walk and train ride to get to the gate we had to depart from, to KUL. Lunch time at the main food court was impossible, as there were no empty tables or chairs. Took the train to the restaurants closer to the gate. Less line but fewer selections. Extra security for US flights, but gate was close to the entrance and the hand check security was simple with minimal line or time. Been to places where this security line is a nightmare. No problems about taking this route again.

HKIA used to be very efficient in 2005 but every time I have used it since I find that services have gone downhill. From the security which starts outside the restricted area, to the dirty toilets supposedly cleaned regularly. This is the same people calling for the building of a third runway, when they cannot even run what they have been given with taxpayers money.

Extremely great airport. I fly to Hong Kong every year in the summer and the airport is modern and professional. Have never once been let down by their service and cleanliness.

I've been using HKIA frequently since its completion. After 14 yrs in operation, HKIA is still holding its own in the brutally competitive world of airport efficiency. I'd like to see timely expansion to HKIA as there are signs that the facility is under pressure from rapid demand growth in some vital areas. The last couple of times I used the airport, which were in Jan 2013, Nov and Aug 2012, the immigration queues were getting depressingly long. Although as a local, I got to pass through by the fast e-channel, the excessively long immigration lines were worrying and must be unpleasant for visitors. Baggage claim was also taking longer and certainly lagged behind HKIA's rival Changi. It's about time the Airport Authority got to work to up HKIA's game yet again to stay ahead of the competition. I look forward to the early implementation of the 3rd runway expansion plan.

Travel to HKG from KUL and back to KUL mid January 2013. Airport was clean with modern and refined architecture. There were long queues when we arrived HKG at immigration clearance but there were a lot of counters open which make the queue move quickly. The signage at the airport was easy to understand and we managed to get out to the bus terminal from terminal 2 easily. Check-in for our return flight was also smooth and staff were helpful and could speak good English.

Used this airport again last December for a vacation to Fukuoka. Proud to have a nice airport in the place where I live. The efficiency is high in this airport, and I seldom see queues at the security check point, as well as the emigration. The terminals are modern-looking, and sufficient facilities as a global aviation hub. Terminals are usually clean, despite one or two spots with litter. Ground staff are nice and quite helpful, although not as friendly as those in Japan. Terminals are clearly marked, and it's not easy to get lost in the airport. Overall, good airport with high efficiency and satisfactory services and facilities.

Airport clean and efficient. Airport seemed busy because there some delays when I was boarding. Airport is also comfortable when waiting to board. Staff helpful and polite.

The airport is very large and spread out so requires lots of walking, its far from central Hong Kong so is a time consuming hassle getting in and out of town. Allow extra time.

Nice, clean and efficient. For its size and busy state, it doesn't seem crowded at all. Immigration was quick enough, facilities were more than adequate and dining options were excellent. You can't really feel the size of it as travellators, lifts and escalators were aplenty. Security was a little confusing as entry into the "family lane" were not clearly indicated and we ended up in the regular lane. Staff could have directed us to the right queue. My only complaint would be the layout. Not as organised as Changi and I had the feeling we were walking in circles because of the arrangements of the shops. Another thing I noticed is that they removed the areas where passengers could just lounge around before heading for the gate (remember that they were present 5 years ago) and replaced them with shops!

It was further enhanced efficiency while I using the mobile boarding pass for my recent trip using HKG. All procedures such as information input, seat selection and check-in I could process online by myself prior to departure. It allows me to save plenty of time to queue up at the check-in counter on that day. For departure, all I needed was to get my mobile boarding pass on the phone scanned at departure and boarding gate, all steps were smooth and no paper needed at all. I arrived at the airport 30 mins before the ETD. Similarly, when I returned to the HKG, the immigration clearance through e-channels for HK residents was also very smooth as just took me 3 mins. However, when I saw the foreign visitors' immigration counters have long queues there. I think for HKG, if improvement is needed, efficiency should also be improved there!

Hands down one of the best airports in the region. Flew into and from Hong Kong from Bangkok. Tons of people at arrival halls zigzagging and queuing by passport control, and yet it took max 20 minutes to get through. Ample choices for transport to the city. Checking in in Kowloon airport train express station a day before the actual flight is extremely convenient. Doing so, the departures could not be more easy, passing through passport control in seconds and ample shopping on the way to the gates. Fairly quick but can get a bit too cramped. Great airport to use for connections but I do live in South East Asia and the location of HKG is more suitable for flights from and to the US and not Europe and elsewhere.

Flying to Hong Kong several times per year I have since my last trip applied for frequent visitor pass and received it so no queuing for me anymore up on arrival. Passport control can sometimes be slow but this is the only negative comment I can imagine for this airport. Airport is very clean and well organized. When arriving in Hong Kong, after passport control your luggage is usually already waiting for you on the luggage belt or will be coming much faster then in many other airports I have been to. Transportation to any part go HK is fast and cheap. Departure from HKG is made very easy and to avoid queues just use the downtown check in service. HK duty free is impressive with many brands present. Being a very large airport you can use the fast train service to take you from one side of the airport to the other. Most airlines have their own lounges some are really nice some are poor depending on the airline.

This airport is definitely one of the worlds best, but its got one big problem. Don't go looking for a seat anywhere outside of the departure lounges or the eating areas. There are none. This is not a good thing should you be an older person tired and weary, trying to get through customs and security. You wont find a seat anywhere until you get into the food area, where they can get cash out of you.

Best airport as everybody described but actually there is hidden inefficiency of this airport. We were travelling with 3 children and queuing for more than an hour is not a good experience. If I have a chance not to use this airport I will take it.

Hong Kong airport is like a second home for me considering that it is a mandatory stop for all my flights out of Taipei to Europe and the middle East. I very much enjoy the layovers in this airport as it is very spacious, great facilities, food, shops, relaxation and entertainment areas. However, I have to agree with the last few reviews regarding the very long queues in security queues are getting worse and are becoming a real annoyance, especially when you have a short transfer time. Immigration which I pass through only 20% of my stops in Hong Kong airport is by far the worse I seen in Asian airports. There are simply not enough officers for the volume of passengers passing through. Clearing immigration takes me on average 40 minutes which might be acceptable in US and European standards but not in the second best airport in the world.

Very nice staff service, clear signage. Easy to pass customs and immigration and only let down is the long walk after train. Otherwise duty free shops are fully equipped. Facilities are great - toilets are clean. We were at Gate 60, but the staff at the gates weren't as nice as at check-in. Some airlines (e.g. Air France) now requires you to check-in at automatic machines instead of check-in desks, which is a let down. It is hard to understand, so we went to the customer service desk and from then on the airport was awesome. Would highly recommend.

Hong Kong International Airport is supposed to be one of the region's leading airports - and indeed, it was and had been for a number of years after its opening. However, I traveled through the airport twice in the last month and found it to be becoming crowded and on the second visit found the security screening slow, inefficient, and rude. So much so that the passenger behind me called it "out of touch". I agree. My flight arrived at around 6.30am from a long overnight run from Vancouver. Apparently, security screening services are drawn down in lean hours - and this was surely the case. Tired from our trip, we had to walk a long way to go through security screening as transit passengers (why such screening is necessary is never made clear and the rude security people don't answer questions). There was a line of well over 100 passengers, some visibly annoyed that certain other passengers appeared to be jumping the line. When I finally reached the point of being "screened", I placed my things on the conveyor and walked towards the metal detector. I was told to stop for some unknown reason. When I asked why, the security "person" rudely told me: "don't ask". It's time that Hong Kong authorities recognize that security is a two-way street. Passengers will co-operate if screening is professional and courteous. Passengers will not co-operate when screening is unprofessional and rude.

I am getting very disappointed by the service provided by Hong Kong Airport in the past several months. First of all, it is getting longer to clear the immigration and customs at both arrival and departure. The average waiting time is approaching 30 minutes. This is not acceptable compare to airports in Singapore or even Thailand. Second, the wireless Internet and Power Outlet service is just not sufficient. I am currently sitting at Gate 18 and there is not a single open power outlet (only 4 of them are available and all are in use). Also, the speed of Wireless Internet is very slow. In fact, the same complaint was aired by a local newspaper not too long ago, but apparently there is no improvement at all.

I've been through HKG many times and never faulted it until this time when the immigration queues were a disgrace. Barely 1/4 of the desks were open, resulting in an hour's wait to get my passport stamped. I thought LHR had problems, but they are nothing on HKG. Very disappointing as I've never had any issues with it before.

Used this airport twice last week, once arrived off-peak and had an excellent experience. The other time I arrived in the late evening when the immigration area was crowded with what must have been thousands of passengers. It took exactly one hour and ten minutes hour to pass through with only 4 or 5 immigration offers actually at desks which is nothing for such a huge airport, and one of the officers actually left his desk halfway through! There were about 3 or 4 other officers just walking around directing people and managing queues which would probably not actually be necessary if they just got behind a desk and stamped passengers passports instead!

This is the most overrated airport in the world. My experience was bad from the moment I touched down. It took me one hour to clear immigration. Despite the long lines, more than half of the counters remained closed and staff were simply going through the motions. My departure experience was equally bad, the gates are scattered all over and the signage is not clear, you had better arrive early or you might miss your flight searching for the gate.

This airport is lovely, clean, comfortable and efficient. The only complaint that I have is that I was there after midnight and I couldn't find anywhere but McDonalds to buy food or drinks. It would be nice if there were a 24 hour cafe, convenience store or even a vending machine.

A brilliant airport. Officials gruff but still efficient and not unfriendly. Huge range of shops and eateries and good view of aircraft movements and the city itself.

SHA to SYD via Hong Kong with Dragonair and Cathay Pacific. This was my third time to this world-class aviation hub and I would say it's worthwhile to spend some time here just to enjoy during the transit though I could have chosen direct flight from Shanghai to Sydney. The transit was quick and efficient. After having passed the security check quickly, I just entered one lounge. I took a shower and had some tasty food inside the lounge and of course got myself revitalized and was ready for my connecting flight. There were so many lounges, shops and restaurants to keep you refreshed in the airport! The only thing you need to watch out is the time for boarding because the airport is so huge. Sometimes it takes half an hour to travel to the boarding gate, so plan your stay in the airport well!

Great airport, very well signed, with excellent facilities both sides. Staff are helpful and polite. Very clean, unlike many European airports.

Used to be a fan of this giant airport but the quality of the airport is declining over past few visits. Arrived on a Saturday afternoon flight with a transit to another Asian city. When I booked my ticket on Cathay Pacific they offer a connecting flight with 50 minute lay over. Normally this should be sufficient for an efficient airport but to be on the safe side I opted for another flight that gave me 2 hour lay over in Hong Kong. Once I left the airplane I went to the transit area immediately and was surprised to find a long queue. The security area was not under staffed but they just didn't work effectively. Despite the long queue there was only one line opened (with 8 members of the staff). It took me at least 40-50 minutes just to go through security and had to run all the way to the other end of the airport to catch another flight. This is very similar to the arrival experience where there is always a long queue. On my return journey I travelled from Kowloon to the airport. The Airport Express was still a very smooth journey, and the departure experience was so much better than transit. However the airport is starting to show its age and has become less exciting. Expensive duty free, limited choice unless if you would like to buy expensive designer clothes.

The airport is clean and orderly, the signage easy to understand. However, queues at immigration and check- in counters can go from very smooth to very chaotic, staff are very polite yet deliver no emotions at all. We were instructed to have a group check-n to Manila, after gathering my friends passport, staff told me to check-in individually instead. In order to avoid conflicts, I asked him to put the 5 of us next to each other which he agreed, just to find out we were miles apart from each other.

If you experience any problems submitting comments on the above link, please use our general   Feedback Page