With some time on my hand, I decided to explore HKIA after arriving via the Airport Express during my last visit to Hong Kong. I really haven’t had the chance to go around the airport in my previous trips particularly because I had to transfer between connecting flights. Following are a few photos at the HKIA taken last December 2012.

Entering the huge HKIA terminal from the Airport Express platform

Corridor leading to the driveway

Check-in counters mix with shops inside Terminal 1

Ramp towards the tunnel connecting HKIA Terminals 1 and 2

Tunnel to Terminal 2

Counters for limousine and travel services at Terminal 2

Shops at HKIA include branches of luxury brands. They also have Disney stores at the terminals.

More shops and benches at a passenger waiting area at HKIA

Information board for arrivals and departures

Travelers can easily go around the airport terminals and information such as those shown in the photo are found in strategic locations around the terminal.

Taking a train ride to the satellite terminal where my boarding gate was located, I took a photo of the interior of the vehicle.

HKIA was promoting environmental awareness the last time I was there.

Travelers, particularly children, can have a quick look and learn about the environment in this set-up inside the terminal.

Expansive interiors of HKIA departures level makes people appreciate the space. For a very busy airport, HKIA does not look congested once you are inside the terminal.

A photo of the tarmac taken while I was reclining on what I though was perhaps among the most comfortable chairs in an airport terminal. I was lucky have found one unoccupied and quite selfishly used it until our boarding call.

I think HKIA is indeed one of the best airports in the world. For me, it is a toss-up between HKIA and Singapore’s Changi for the top spot, even considering that Changi had a Budget Terminal. That terminal is now giving way to a larger Terminal 4, which has much expectations riding on it given the airport’s standing.  Not to denigrate HKIA, which I think has better shopping and dining than Changi but there might be other factors where Singapore’s airport is better than HKIA?

–