Flying into Hong Kong, A or K seats
Sep 5, 2018, 1:37 pm
#1
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Flying into Hong Kong, A or K seats
Hi all,
Just booked an F redemption for Hong Kong next year, which side is better for views of the harbour during the descent and landing?
Thanks!
Just booked an F redemption for Hong Kong next year, which side is better for views of the harbour during the descent and landing?
Thanks!
Sep 5, 2018, 1:45 pm
#2
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Sep 5, 2018, 1:51 pm
#4
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Sep 5, 2018, 2:02 pm
#6
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True but incomplete for purposes of this question. One direction - from the west - guarantees that no one will get a good view. But if the plane is going to come in from the east, I think the A side is the one that will offer the best views. Assuming no one with a better memory corrects me on this, sitting on that side means you're in with a chance.
Sep 5, 2018, 2:16 pm
#7
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True but incomplete for purposes of this question. One direction - from the west - guarantees that no one will get a good view. But if the plane is going to come in from the east, I think the A side is the one that will offer the best views. Assuming no one with a better memory corrects me on this, sitting on that side means you're in with a chance.
Sep 5, 2018, 3:01 pm
#8
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I've never knowingly seen Hong Kong on approach. It's always cloudy, hazy or whatever. Mostly water, the bridge under construction and islands that I can't identify when there's something to see. And then the runway.
Left side at night when leaving has some nice views over the harbour etc.
Left side at night when leaving has some nice views over the harbour etc.
Sep 5, 2018, 3:33 pm
#9
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Looking at approach paths on flightradar24, if you come in from the east then the A side should give some sort of view of Victoria Harbour if you can see it through the haze. (e.g. BA27 on 4 Sept).
From the west, which is the approach we've had the few times we have done it, from the K side it's sea, haze, the back of HK Island then more sea before you come in past the far end of Lantau. You might see the Big Buddha if you know where to look, otherwise it's not particularly exciting I'm afraid. The A side will be mostly sea all the way in.
Basically I wouldn't get too excited about views - if you see anything it's a nice bonus. We usually favour the A side for eastbound daytime flights as it's the shaded side; K side westbound for the same reason.
From the west, which is the approach we've had the few times we have done it, from the K side it's sea, haze, the back of HK Island then more sea before you come in past the far end of Lantau. You might see the Big Buddha if you know where to look, otherwise it's not particularly exciting I'm afraid. The A side will be mostly sea all the way in.
Basically I wouldn't get too excited about views - if you see anything it's a nice bonus. We usually favour the A side for eastbound daytime flights as it's the shaded side; K side westbound for the same reason.
Sep 5, 2018, 8:51 pm
#12
Join Date: Oct 2017
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Arrival: From East - Side A. Just make sure you choose a nice clear, non-hazy day.
Arrival: From West - no view of the harbour on either side.
Departure: Towards East - Side K. Just make sure you choose a nice clear, non-hazy day.
Departure: Towards West - no view of the harbour on either side.
As you can't control the landing direction, or the weather, just choose A for arrival and K for departure - that way you'll have some kind of chance of seeing Hong Kong island. But please don't be too disappointed if you don't get the view you want. I live in Hong Kong and flew in and out of the old Kai Tak airport multiple times and never once were the take-offs or landings over land... always over the sea.
Arrival: From West - no view of the harbour on either side.
Departure: Towards East - Side K. Just make sure you choose a nice clear, non-hazy day.
Departure: Towards West - no view of the harbour on either side.
As you can't control the landing direction, or the weather, just choose A for arrival and K for departure - that way you'll have some kind of chance of seeing Hong Kong island. But please don't be too disappointed if you don't get the view you want. I live in Hong Kong and flew in and out of the old Kai Tak airport multiple times and never once were the take-offs or landings over land... always over the sea.
Sep 6, 2018, 3:15 am
#13
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POSH becomes AOKH
So we need to redo POSH (Port Out, Starboard Home) to A-OKH: A Out, K Home - although it doesn't have the same ring to it. That's the jet age for you I guess!
Sep 6, 2018, 3:24 am
#14
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Personally, just sit where you want.
There's no way you can guarantee a view, short of possibly being the pilot, so I wouldn't put too much effort into something that is inconsistent at best.
You can spend days in the city and never get a non hazy or cloudy day for those touristy photos. Other times the odd random day or great weather.
There's no way you can guarantee a view, short of possibly being the pilot, so I wouldn't put too much effort into something that is inconsistent at best.
You can spend days in the city and never get a non hazy or cloudy day for those touristy photos. Other times the odd random day or great weather.
Sep 6, 2018, 5:49 am
#15
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But don't lose hope! I'm not really that much of a frequent flyer, but I have had my fair share of harbour views.
That said, get a better camera than me. An iPhone 5 just doesn't cut it.
Just for some perspective, this was just a few minutes before landing, approaching from the northeast. This was from an A seat, looking more or less southeast. As you can see, the plane was passing well north of the harbour (don't recall ever flying south of it on arrival), so I'd definitely suggest going for the A seats.
On departure, sometimes the planes make a right turn immediately after take off, in which case you may pass across the western entrance/exit to the harbour, and that can be quite a decent view as well. That would again require an A seat. But if passing over the harbour, then probably the K seats would be better.
That said, get a better camera than me. An iPhone 5 just doesn't cut it.
Just for some perspective, this was just a few minutes before landing, approaching from the northeast. This was from an A seat, looking more or less southeast. As you can see, the plane was passing well north of the harbour (don't recall ever flying south of it on arrival), so I'd definitely suggest going for the A seats.
On departure, sometimes the planes make a right turn immediately after take off, in which case you may pass across the western entrance/exit to the harbour, and that can be quite a decent view as well. That would again require an A seat. But if passing over the harbour, then probably the K seats would be better.
Last edited by 07L 25R; Sep 6, 2018 at 6:09 am