Plane Spotting Hong Kong

Important 2020 update: Construction is well underway on the new Skybridge connecting the North Satellite with the terminal. Once completed this will block the views from the hotel room out to the Cargo Apron. Views of aircraft departing off 07R (the most common departure runway) will be restricted to a couple of seconds once airborne. Views of the landing runway 07L will remain unaffected. Credit Nick Yeadon

Is connected directly to the terminal building by a covered walkway. Make sure you ask for a room overlooking the airport as if you don’t you may be unlucky and only have a view of another part of the hotel (see video 2 below). Reports suggest that rooms on the higher floors are more expensive, but from here you will have good views of both runways. A good quality telescope is recommended as the windows can make viewing slightly awkward. 

As the terminal is only a 5 minute walk away there are plenty of eating facilities nearby. A Coffee Shop is located virtually at the beginning of the hotel walkway, whilst a McDonalds is also nearby. Wifi is available in the rooms for around £15 a night, do note that this is also per device, if you use a different device you will be charged again. Free wifi is available in the reception area of the hotel.

If you get an airport facing room, the higher the floor the better, then you shouldn’t be disappointed. Note that the majority of airport facing rooms are double beds. The North Wing does however a selection of twin rooms which have fantastic views.Rooms in the range of 9036 to 9062 (even numbers only) should also have great views, however it is unconfirmed if these are single or double beds. Note the best room described above, 9064 is a disabled room, however other than easy bathroom access there is no difference between this and a standard room.

Rooms 1042 and 1046 also have views from the lower floors but only have double beds. If you pay for Club Floor room you get a concierge service in the lounge. The ladies there cannot do enough for you and arranged a comfortable single portable bed to be delivered to each room which was a major help

From the North Wing rooms fantastic views can be had and little moving traffic missed, especially with flight tracking software. the usual runway configuration is landing on Runway 07R, departing 07L. This means on a lot of occasions traffic is landing towards the hotel, and can be read off as it vacates the runway. Flight tracking software is needed to tie up departures seen climbing off runway 07L. 

Note : Do not ask for a runway facing room as you will be allocated a room on the side which only overlooks the one runway. You need an airport facing room to get the views shown below.

If traffic is using the opposite end, arriving traffic will appear on your right hand side on short final to Runway 25R. Flight tracking equipment will only pick this traffic up at short notice as it is appearing from behind the hotel. At the time of visit (May 2013) flight radar 24 had excellent coverage of the Airport, to the point it shows aircraft taxing on the airfield all the way to the gate. By using flight radar 24 you therefore get notice of aircraft making the approach from a long way out (around 75% of airliner traffic tracks in this part of the world). Departing aircraft off Runway 25L is generally hidden behind the terminal until lining up when it appears into view prior to rolling.

From the hotel around 2/3 of the Northside of the terminal can be seen with aircraft read off, for the other stands you need to wait for the aircraft to move. The vast majority of aircraft on the freight area can also be seen from the room although is too distant to be read off. By leaving SBS 1 on overnight you can tie up the majority of freighters on the ground. The main bizz parking area is too distant to identify any traffic from.

In darkness a lot of the traffic on nearer stands can be read off, however the majority of movements would need flight tracking software to tie up. Due to the floodlighting, most airliners can be seen clearly to make out the livery’s, even when departing off the far runway.

Update 2015 : The new terminal building partly blocks views of the touchdown area of runway 07R. Arrivals disappear behind the building on a one mile final, a bizz jet landing short may not reappear back into view.

Pretty good shots can be taken from the room especially morning to mid day. Unfortunately you are taking them through 2 layers of glass which is often quite dirty so you have to pick your spot carefully. A wide angled lens is required for wide bodies parking on the stands in front of the hotel. At least a 300 lens is required for widebodies vacating the runway and using the link taxyway around to the southern terminal stands.

From the 9th floor, a walk down the escalator to the 8th floor by the lifts will give you a view through large windows of the approach to Runway 25R where pretty good approach shots can be had, especially in the morning (video 2 gives a similar aspect)

If you are looking to make your own travel arrangements please click on Booking.com to be taken directly to the hotel information page. Please help support our site. We are constantly checking the links for hotels to find the best price offered for our readers. If the price on this site is the best quote you receive, please help us by booking your hotel from the link provided as we receive a small commission payment from the hotel. This helps contribute to the running costs of this site enabling us to continue to offer a great service.

 Plane Spotting Hotels are also pleased to have entered a partnership with an ATOL approved travel agency which specialises in packages for plane spotters (your travel consultant is a fellow aviation enthusiast who understands your needs). An independent travel agency can often find you better deals for your hotels and flights to Hong Kong and China as they can access travel agents exclusive deals. Let them suggest a package of flights and hotels for your tour around Asia.

Quote The Plane Spotting Hotels website when contacting the NOT JUST TRAVEL WEBSITE and you will be dealt with by the Plane Spotting Travel Expert who can assist you with all aspects of planning your trip.

If you are looking to make your own travel arrangements please click on Booking.com to be taken directly to the hotel information page. Please help support our site. We are constantly checking the links for hotels to find the best price offered for our readers. If the price on this site is the best quote you receive, please help us by booking your hotel from the link provided as we receive a small commission payment from the hotel. This helps contribute to the running costs of this site enabling us to continue to offer a great service.

Plane Spotting Hotels are also pleased to have entered a partnership with an ATOL approved travel agency which specialises in packages for plane spotters (your travel consultant is a fellow aviation enthusiast who understands your needs). An independent travel agency can often find you better deals for your hotels and flights to Hong Kong and China as they can access travel agents exclusive deals. Let them suggest a package of flights and hotels for your tour around Asia.

Quote The Plane Spotting Hotels website when contacting the NOT JUST TRAVEL WEBSITE and you will be dealt with by the Plane Spotting Travel Expert who can assist you with all aspects of planning your trip.

Excellent. Ask for an even numbered room as high as possible for great views of aircraft on short final to runway 25R (the usual landing runway when aircraft approach from this direction). When aircraft land in front of you they are easily read off. SBS signals arrive late due to the characteristics of the hotel, the aircraft first show when they appear past the window so it is also useful to have a scanner with you (the SBS come into it’s own at night time) Try to get an high up even number as the hotel curves and the higher numbers also give views of the most of the cargo facility. Room 1510 is highly recommended. This room has a view of the northern runway, as well as a partial view of the southern runway by the freight area. Room 918 has also got confirmed views.

We recommend booking an Executive room if your budget allows. This allows access to the Executive lounge on the 12th floor which has a balcony overlooking the airport. If Runway 25R is in use for landings great shots can be had of traffic on short final from the balcony.