Hong Kong International Airport

Voted the world’s best airport seven times in a row, Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA)’s clear communications, well-designed layout and thoughtful facilities make it one of my favourite stopovers.

For starters, the minute you get off the aeroplane in Terminal 1, clear signs

- in English and Chinese;
- with internationally-recognized symbols;
- in large, bold lettering visible from far and
- elevated high above the crowds of travellers

direct you towards the baggage or transit areas.

Don’t worry about getting lost in HKIA – it’s impossible!

HKIA’s website, one of the most user-friendly sites I’ve ever found, has an interactive map for travellers that enables you to find exactly WHAT you want and WHERE you want to go.

WELL LAID PLANS
As you head for the immigration hall or exit, trolleys, travellators, rubbish bins, seats, washrooms and hot/cold water facilities are found every few meters – perfect for the jet-lagged, the elderly, the sickly or the harried parent with children.

Other than a tipsy traveller who helped himself to his Scotch in a sealed plastic bag, tripped over his own shoes and fell on to a rubbish bin or the infamous lady from Hong Kong who threw a tantrum, immigration processing is generally smooth and speedy!

After immigration, you can choose to immerse yourself in the rows and rows of branded goods (Burberry, Bvlgari, Coach, Gucci, Disneyland, Godiva, Hermes, Kiehl’s, Prada, Tiffany & Co.) or duty-free shopping (c-h-o-c-o-l-a-t-e-s, Aji Ichiban, Muji to Go) outlets OR head towards the lonnngggggg row of departure gates.

Either way, you’re well taken care of. I glided through the Coach outlet and checked out Kiehl’s counter before safely immersing myself in the selection of English books at Newslink.

Despite the crowd, I’ve never felt claustrophobic and neither does the noise level of many travellers reach an unbearable point. The well-organized space for the equipment, the walkways, the shops, the facilities, ALL the people and breathing room doesn’t make me feel like I’m in an army of ants OR alone in the whole wide world. HKIA feels just right.

IT’S THE THOUGHT THAT COUNTS

Whether it’s the dual height water fountains (for disabled travellers or toddlers), the internet kiosks, large LCD screens or the smoking “lounge”, HKIA pays attention to detail.

Even the objet d’art are tastefully chosen and displayed to rival any respectable art gallery – the pieces invite travellers to look at them and background information is provided e.g. descriptions on the masterpiece and the artist and their background.

While they wait, travellers can choose to

• watch TV,
• catch up with work (or family and friends) on the free Wi-Fi,
• surf the internet at the computer kiosks,
• have a drink/snack,
• have a smoke,
• sit back and relax or
• browse through the duty-free/convenience stores

Here’s the smoking room. How do they breathe in there?

I’m especially impressed with the design and furnishings of the children’s play area. Located next to the windows, natural sunlight brightens up the area and aeroplanes onthe runway keep kids fascinated for ages.

Clean, colourful and soft carpeting mean that crawling or wobbly-footed babies can discover and explore the area without fear of hurting themselves. Simple structures are on hand for energetic babies or toddlers bent on climbing anything in sight!

Older children can crawl through, run around or play hide-and-seek in a brightly coloured metal maze. A magnet for parents in need of respite from their restless youngsters, the play area has wooden benches or nearby seats for you to catch your breath

Within the maze, metal “pianos” with simple score sheets for kiddy favourites like “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”, “Are You Sleeping?” (or Frere Jacques), “London Bridge” and “Row, row, row your boat” had many toddlers trying out their musical talents.

Interestingly, thundering or tinkling, the “music” from the piano keys was easy on the ears.

Tone-deaf and sheet music-illiterate parents can easily show off to their toddlers their ability to play FOUR top 10 toddler hits in this area!

TERRIFIC TOILETS
As a travelling Mum, I wanted to see how “baby-friendly” HKIA is when it comes to mothers with children.

Overall, I think HKIA focused on providing basic, clean and easy-to-maintain facilities.

The nursing room was bright and clean with basic facilities i.e. a diaper change table or “pod” and the standard, low nursing chair. The sink only has cool running water.

An interesting fixture in one of the nursing rooms was this crazy mirror, which distorts your image – you’d appear either really tall or really short!

Lots of giggly clowning around for the preschooler while Mum’s changing the baby

Isn’t this an simple, inexpensive and thoughtful addition that would surely score top points with mothers travelling with more than one child?

I wanted to check out the toilet for disabled people but it started to get crowded and I definitely didn’t want to arouse any suspicion with my clicking away!

Peeking into the special mother and child stall, I was impressed with this toddler seat next to the toilet.

You can place your wriggly toddler in this seat while you answer Nature’s call. In any case, the stall is roomy enough for the stroller or baggage cart.

International airports are high traffic and high security areas but with mindful planning, HKIA makes transiting between flights a bearable (even pleasant) experience:

• crumpled passengers who need to hurry off the plane and rush off to another can find their way easily;
• travellers waiting for their next flight can stretch their legs in the area, go out of the airport and check out Disneyland or shopping outlets nearby, enjoy a meal, a drink or a smoke; take a shower, get your hair / a facial / a massage done!

Most importantly, by planning and providing for the international community passing through, HKIA is getting the air traffic and the spending that comes with the business or holiday traveller.

Tagged as: Travel