Hong Kong Express Flight Report |
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Taiwan is a favourite weekend getaway for Hong Kongers, but the southern part of the island is often overlooked. I came across Hong Kong Express' alternating specials between various cities, finding a good deal to Kaohsiung. But having visited this place many times over the years, it would just be a springboard to new lands. I had initially shortlisted Kenting and Penghu just offshore for a short trip, but connecting to a separate set of domestic flights further afield could be a bit dangerous given my 4 day trip.After a few days in unusually rainy Kaohsiung and Kenting, it's time to go home. Surprisingly, Hong Kong Express didn't email me that I could check in, but I was able to do so online, which spat out a boarding pass. Since I didn't pay to select a seat, the system automatically assigned an aisle at the back of the plane. Noticing the sun finally came out on my last day in Taiwan, I hoped for the best to ask the airport check-in staff to find me a window, like what I did in Hong Kong on the outbound flight a few days earlier. Kaohsiung's airport is connected to the metro network's Red Line. However, since the train is newer than the airport, the station is not really directly connected to either the domestic or international terminal, sort-of. To reach the international terminal, take a long walk through an underground corridor to the elevators, which take you up to the covered bridge that connects the 2 terminals. Alternatively, take the escalator up to the ground floor exit. Here, you will feel the heat but it is protected from rain and sun by the bridge above, and a short walk away is the arrivals hall entrance.
I decided to go up to the bridge, which is a step-free way to the international departures hall, although even that opens up to the outside along a bit of the covered taxi drop-off area before entering the terminal's doors. Greeting me at the elevator exit is a scale model of the terminal with Dragonair and FAT airplane models parked at the gate.
Hong Kong Express' counters are off to the right and it was 90 minutes from departure. There was no line for the check-in agent and I went straight in. My hand-carry was a bit over the limit at 8.4kg while my backpack was under 6kg. The agent reminded me not to buy any more duty-free afterwards and affixed the cabin-approved tags to both bags. She also mentioned changing my seat would incur a fee, something I didn't get departing Hong Kong. Scanning the departures board, this isn't a busy airport at all, a pleasant change compared to Taipei.
With a bit of time to spare, I walked around the small international terminal. It's an old building but it looks clean and functional. While it won't win any international architectural awards, it is a good facility to use. As I walked, stopped, looked at the signs, and took photos of the building, a friendly security staff came up wondering if I'm lost and which airline I'm looking for. Taiwanese hospitality is indeed impressive, although the cynical big-city folk side of me believed he thought I was suspicious doing a flight report here.
Curious what the domestic terminal looks like, I headed back to the bridge for the long, long walk to the other side. Along the way, there was a long line of windows with comfortable chairs and even binoculars to enjoy the tarmac views outside. There aren't many planes here, but it's quite a thoughtful gesture for avgeeks even though they don't have a real observation deck. I was also interested in the airplane models on display in the glass cabinets, especially on airlines that no longer exist and special livery planes.
The bridge connects directly to the domestic terminal building's upper floor, which is an office and exhibition area with some historic artifacts.
The departures check-in area is downstairs on the ground floor, but even that area wasn't busy. Checking out the flight board, most flights are headed to the outer islands of Penghu and Kinmen, both of which run fairly frequently throughout the day. You can take the high-speed train to Taipei instead.
I recall years ago, I saw a waiting list at Taipei's Songshan Airport for these domestic island flights. I believe that system is still there noticing the bottom row shows a waiting list figure. I guess if I arrive early, I can try to make the airline's earlier flight instead. The domestic terminal looked noticeably older but it has decently-high ceilings and a lot of open space to move around. I got a drink at the 7-11 to avoid inflated prices before returning back to the international terminal, but this time along the ground floor. It's an exposed area although covered so the rain won't impact you.
Security and immigration didn't take long although the immigration officer still wanted to see my paper visa even though she should be able to pull it up electronically with my passport. I emerged air-side to find few aircraft with my plane not even here yet.
I tried my luck again at the gate agent, who repeated changing my seat would incur my fee. I then told them I'm not looking for an upfront or exit row seat but a window out back, which she then said there are no more window seats. Unsuccessful, I toured around the terminal to look for better inspiration.
The inbound flight arrived late and I knew there was no way they could turn around the plane and depart within half an hour. However, a long line snaked out of the gate by 2:30pm, the boarding time stated on the boarding pass.
This airport is quite close to the city and I could spot the skyline easily.
Settled into my aisle seat at the back, the flight filled up gradually so I was surprised when the crew announced boarding complete well past our 3pm departure time, the 2 seats beside me were empty. I quickly slid over to the window, thrilled I got what I wanted for free. We pushed back 38 minutes late and taxied to the eastern end of the airport for take-off. That means my right window would command a skyline view on departure.
The weather was blue sky perfect and we roared into a sunny sky for the short 70 minute flight home.
After the initial climb, the seat belt sign was turned off quickly but soon, I noticed a weird vibration that didn't feel like a crosswind. The skies were clear and we didn't fly through clouds so it was a bit odd. That went on until we started to descend into Hong Kong, with the weather turning cloudy again.
We flew across the city to the south and I could make out the western part of Hong Kong Island, Lamma Island, and Cheung Chau peeking through the clouds. The weather continued to be grey after a week of typhoon and severe rainstorms.
Landing on the third runway, I suspected it wouldn't be a pleasant arrival experience when we pulled into the middle of nowhere at 4:50pm, 20 minutes behind schedule. It was yet another bus gate, but this time between the satellite terminal and aircraft maintenance area. You can't get any farther from the main terminal than this, and to make matters worse, it started raining.
By the time it was my turn to leave, the rain had stopped and I boarded a sardine can for the long ride to the arrivals hall. Of course, that can was packed to the brim and I held on for dear life as we turned, turned, and turned around half the airport island. The Previous Flight - Hong Kong to Kaohsiung
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