The Story Of Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Airport
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- Опубліковано 15 жов 2024
- Hong Kong was settled long before aircraft and air travel existed. Nestled comfortably between the South China Sea and the hilly terrain of the Chinese coastline, Hong Kong was already a densely populated area before airports were a foundational aspect of large urban centers. Before its current airport on Chek Lap Kok island, there was Kai Tak. With its runway given the nickname “Kai Tak Heart Attack”, the airport was well known among pilots and passengers for its hair raising approach.
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I live in Hong Kong and flew in and out of Kai Tak countless times. Night flights were particularly memorable - the cabin lights would be dimmed, glasses of Johnnie Walker handed out to passengers. I always chose a window seat on the right hand side. The view out would be pitch black, the plane would make a sharp right, and then a million lights and the sight of HK Island came into view. I knew I was home.
This sounds lovely 🥰
I am not old enough:(
That sounds magical!
your description is amazing. viewing hong kong from above with glass of johnnie walker must be a great experience. u must had flew in business or first class. i remember cx doesn't serve johnnie walker in economy.
@@andylam73 thank you. I was remembering flights on PanAm first class. My father knew a lovely man named Johnson Yip, who was head of operations for PanAm here in HK, and he bumped me up to first class.
I miss Kai Tak Airport. When I was in primary school, commute between home and school was by bus. The bus route passed the round about at the Kowloon City, the traffic jam gave me the time to spot aircraft landing right over my head. It was fun spotting a B747 took a sharp turn to land from the north. I learnt different airlines and aircraft during my primary school years.
That's a fun way to learn eh mate! Cheers & mabuhay from tropical Philippines!
I live in Hong Kong
Haha pan-am go brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
Great way to learn. My experience is similar in mumbai when I used to visit my granny and our house was probably 20 seconds away from the landing runway . But nowhere as close as Kai tak !
I born after Kai Tak airport close
I remember flying into Kai Tak, with the airplane weaving between and flying above the highrises, and I could see a family preparing for dinner through an apartment window! It is a combination of good pilot skills and luck that no airplane had ever crashed into a highrise during landing or takeoff at Kai Tak.
Pilots had to have a specific training to be allowed to take off from and land on Kai Tak.
CI605:
@@cytlrxs + caac flight 301(1988), heavylift l-100 crash(1994)
I saw that too, people going on with their daily life just meters away, and i actually was in an airplane, mind boggling stuff
When I was a child, I lived near Kai Tak Airport. I remember our house was directly below the landing path of the plane. Every time the plane was about to land, the house would shake and the aircraft roared so loudly that we couldn't hear each other's speech or any sound on the TV. When I looked up, I could even touch the landing gear. Those were my wonderful memoirs of Kai Tak Airport when I was a kid.
I wish I'd be there
Those were the days!
I remember they use to close the main road with barriers to allow planes to take off in the 1950's !
Me too, I have the same memories! When we would fly back to HK we could spot our own apartment on approach.
I passed through Kai Tak several times in the 1980s. My main recollections were looking out the window and into apartments at the same level on final approach, and about the same time getting a waft of Hong Kong's aroma coming into the aircraft. I was flying Cathay Pacific between Australia and the UK, having a few days in Hong Kong each time. All extremely enjoyable. I remember being able to drop my checked bags at the airport about 6 hours before leaving for London one trip, taking the train and ferry back into Hong Kong for an early dinner, then back to the airport. Late dinner on the plane heading to Bahrain, with plenty of wine and cognac afterwards! Delightful travel memories.
I first flew into Kai-Tak as a young DC-8 Captain in 1990. My First Officer had flown the checkerboard approach a couple of times so he was good help for my first time. I never got to fly a 747 into Kai-Tak as it closed about the time I transitioned to the 747. Many great memories for sure. I miss my Hong Kong layovers.
Don't you have to be certified specifically to fly into HK? Same as Mexico city airport.
The only two airports pilots need special licences.
I was right seat on DC-10 when I flew into the old Kai Tak. It was Captain only landing. Have flown into the new airport, now as captain, but it doesn’t have the charm nor the WOW! factor like Kai Tak.
@@timypp2894 Definitely not the ONLY two, if you consider Paro and Lukla, among many others surely, as well... But maybe the only two among major international airports for large cosmopolitan cities.
As a former flight attendant flying to HK very often, I really miss Kai Tak Airport. It does not only bring back memories of some heart attack-like approaches and landings, but also memories of many wonderful layovers in Hong Kong.
Early 90's, I remember looking through apartment windows and seeing people watching TV.
LMAO
@@nathroxer3134 A few passengers in the plane looking out of the window would need new underwear rather than L-their-AO. HAHA
@@josephcheng5949 XD
@@polishhollywood hello
Me too, extraordinary landing....
In 1993 my father was an engineer working for a UK company that was building computer labs at the new Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. I was 30 at the time. He invited me to fly there and spend a week with him. I was not aware of Kai Tak airport or it's checkerboard approach, and you could never know if it would be used until you got there -- it depended on the direction of the wind. We were in the forward bulkhead of a Cathay Pacific 747. It looked like we were descending into dense buildings. At a few hundred feet up the plane banked hard to the right. Being on the right side of the plane, I looked out and into the windows of apartments. It made my heart skip a beat. We seemed to fall right into the buildings, but suddenly the plane rolled out of its turn and onto the runway for a smooth landing. I spent a day of my trip sitting at checkerboard hill watching the approaches and walking the neighborhoods below the final approach. It was a great experience.
Flew into there once, as we were coming in on final, I vividly remember looking into one apartment, seeing a large TV screen in one of the apartments, and seeing the opening splash to ESPN's "This is Sportscenter". Being able to read those characters in the flash as we flew by, was amazing.
I was a flight attendant for Northwest in the mid 1990s. As a JFK based flight attendant, I had the good fortune of getting two HKG trips (flight 17 and 18 on the 747-200) during 1996 which were my most memorable trips. At Northwest the lead flight attendant (purser) was based in the U.S. and the remaining crew was Asia based on flights south of Tokyo. Sitting on the jumpseat at 1L, I'll never forget looking over at the windows on the right side and seeing the apartment buildings as if I could touch them! Very exciting!
Yes, i flew into Kai Tak in December 1987 from Bangkok on board a Thai Airways A300 600. Kai Tak was magnificient. I drove past Kai Tak on a foggy winter evening to find a British Airways 747 right over my head at about arms length. WOW !!! FUN AIRPORT. SUPERB AIRPORT in the 80s. The Best in the world service wise. Miss you Kai Tak
Flying into Hong Kong in the mid 90s through Kai Tak airport was a nail biting experience. The aircraft was almost touching the nearby buildings. It was definitely an awesome experience
I flew into Kai Tak several times from Manila as a kid on Philippine Airlines (747-200, DC-10, A300). This brings back a lot of fond memories of our family's HK holidays. I still distinctly remember to always request for a window seat. Once the aircraft banks to the right on final, it was a thrill to see the wingtip appear to almost touch the old low-rise buildings below.
I flew into Kai Tak a few times as a kid and just thought it was normal to fly that close to buildings! Definitely a fun experience that I’ll never forget.
Flew in & out of Kai Tak several times in the 1990's. Better than any amusement park ride ! Beautiful, scary, thrilling all at the same time. A perfect entrance to this fascinating city.
Flew in to Kai Tak several times. My favorite memory was a night landing where we flew the reverse approach--flying up Victoria Harbor south to north at 200+ MPH, seeing all of the bright lights on both sides of us (and above us, too!), then a very sharp left turn onto the runway. Definitely an "E Ticket" ride!
Who else wish they were born during the golden era of aviation?
Why?
@@polydorosvogiatzis5120 mmh I mean if you were a pilot or FA you will get alot of respect even if your not in japan probally
Me.....i feel i really missed alot but atleast i am in a generation that saw the biggest commercial plane ever built....you have got it the A380 baby✈✈
@Timothy Healey Nice my dude just imagine telling your kids that.(Also are you planning to be a pilot just curious?)
@Timothy Healey nice family history
When Kai Tak closed, Cathay Pacific presented me with plaque for "500 landings and takes offs from Kai Tak on CX". I ahve great memories of all the quirks that made it a great place to depart from and a welcoming place to come home to. I miss it very much. Nothing was more breathtaking the a night landing in the jump seat of an old Cathay Tristar at night.
I lived under the flight path into Kai Tak between July 1988 and August 1989. We lived in the British Army camp at Kowloon Tong, beside the checker board, and it seemed you could paint the underside of the planes as they decended onto the runway. Standing on the checker board gave amazing views, as did climbing Lion Rock and watching the planes come in. Nothing can compare to the sound and sight of being in the streets of Kowloon City as a Boeing 747 suddenly appears and the sky goes dark.
I remember flying in and out on Kai Tak in the 80s, amazing experience to see the apartments so close on the way in.
I also remember a very full Cathay 747 going a L-O-N-G way down the runway on takeoff and passengers looking at each other and saying, "shouldn't we be up by now?"
Must have been several tons of Duty Free on board...
Phil Branagan I had a similar experience in the late ‘90’s sitting on the jump seat behind the Captain on a fully loaded 747-400 departing out of Frankfurt one evening. Those red lights at the far end of the runway were very, very wide before we finally rotated! Must be a 747 thing.
I came through Kai Tak in 1995. I knew what to expect with the hard turn and it did not disappoint. Great memory.
Born and raised in Hong Kong, Kai Tak is part of my childhood memories.
I remember watching planes landing during the final days of the airport. Those noisy jet engines and the sheer proximity were such an unforgettable scene.
I also had the chance to fly to and from Kai Tak, sadly I could only recall parts of the terminal building and the landscape outside the cabin window while taxing.
Nevertheless, I'm lucky enough to witness the glory of such a unique airport. I certainly miss it.
老實話，你哋香港搬機場可能係你哋而家咁慘嘅原因之一. 唔知係咪整壞咗你哋風水
Experienced Kai Tak only once - in 1989. Returning from business trip to Japan. Arranged a 3-day stop over. An experience that can't be taken away.
I visited Hong Kong when I was 16. The flight in was from Bangkok in a Thai Airways DC-8 in 1974! I was a keen aircraft spotter back then and I spent many a day spotting at the airport. Happy days!
I flew to Hong Kong on Braniff in 1983. The 747SP landed in Kai Tak. It was interesting that you could clearly see the vegetables and flowers on people's roof-top gardens during approach.
Landed there 3 times before it closed. Twice at night, and one daytime approach.
It was the first time I've ever heard a captain explain the landing before the approach,
to ease the passenger's minds. Even at night, I could see people in the windows of their apartments
as we flew over the buildings. I remember the 747 that crashed into the harbor in 1993.
We flew into HK just after the typhoon passed. The 747 was still in the harbor when we got there; its tail removed,
so it wouldn't impede departing aircraft. Quite a sight.
I will ALWAYS love Kai Tak....so many memories starting in 1989 until closing date...😊
I flew in (and out) twice - 1st, a BOAC 707 in 1966 (out '68) and an RAF VC10 in 1969.(out '71) ....In '69 I can still remember the plane creaking under the centrifugal force as it made the turn. (One thing to mention, the Checkerboard Hill was only one mile from the end of the runway not two. I went to St Andrew's primary school which was under the flight path - 1.25 miles from the end of the runway.....(So knew my Airlines by the time I'd finished there)........(Saw the first 747 - Pan Am land................................I have a couple of bits of film here of planes landing (taken from my flat below Lion rock mountain) and Checkerboard Hill from my old school here...............................ua-cam.com/video/e1DU_sxsX-Y/v-deo.html
I flew into HK in '75 on an RAF VC10 too!
Consider yourself lucky to have escape the demise of BOAC flight 911, a 707 that took off (March 5, 1966) from Tokyo Haneda bound to Kai Tak. This aircraft broke up in mid air due to clear air turbulence, basically moutain air waves around the Fuji Yama.
My first international flight was on a Catahy Pacific B747 from Philippines to Hong Kong in 1996. Landing into Kai Tak was magnificent with the plane flying really close to the building. I remember so vividly noticing the plane close to the buildings while on the approach to the runway and then the feeling of relief and excitement of passeengers aboard the plane when the plane touches down.
As a Navy kid I lived under the flight path of the original tiny runway in 1953/4, which was parallel to the shore and ended in a large hill (!) I think the UK passenger aircraft in use were Vickers Viscounts. They would roar overhead with the lowered landing gear often knocking the safety lights off the roof of our 4- storey navy flats and police building further along, in Argyle Rd. RAF aircraft there at the time were Vampires. Forces' families never got to fly to the Far East but were put on troopships taking about a month from the UK, and it was a very nice trip too, via Suez and what was then Ceylon. Incidentally as a kid wandering about the streets at times, HK people were very friendly. Later in the RAF, late 1960s I experienced the famous landings in a VC10.
I lived in HK for a couple of years too in 96 & 97 and flew out into the region almost every week for work. I loved sitting on the right hand side widow seat and looking into all those buildings when the plane banked hard right. I lived at 18 Old Peak Road on the Island just a nice walk down the hill to Lai Kwai Fong on the cobble stone street for happy hour each day. Amazing times.
I lived in Hong Kong from 1990~1999, so kai tak was my nearest and only airport.
I remember it well and sometimes even still dream of it I was very fond of my time in Hong Kong.
So much so when I returned in 2008 to live there again I was saddened to see the former airport being slowly rippeed apart for redevelopment.
However I am glad some of it's unique herritage was saved in the form of a garden outside the new cruise ship terminal which was built in 2009 it finally opened in 2013.
kai tak was a wonderful airport and I have many good memories of it as specially as it was then the only airport where you could go outside to the city for a bite to eat and then later on return for your flight.
As it was at the heart of kowloon city then one of the most densely populated areas in the world.
And yes I do remember all the frightnimg approaches as well as it was only that way in bad weather, and Yes I flew into there once as a passenger abord a cathay pacific flight from: London Heathrow, during a rageing typhoon which happened to be a 747-400 registed: VR-HOT.
I remember sitting in the cockpit of a British Airways 747 for landing into Kai Tak, was an absolutely wonderful experience! Sadly both gone now 😢
All three things you've mentioned in your comment are gone now, to be honest... 😢 (Unless you are a pilot or crew member yourself riding in the jumpseat.)
Loved flying into Kai Tak, entering my favourite city in the world. So thankful I got to experience it in a 747
Kai Tak was one of the reasons I loved going to Hong Kong. Still do but the new airport is fantastic.
In 1977, landed at Kai Tak from Bangkok on a Pan Am 747. That was an amazing approach and landing - right above the rooftops before setting down on the runway..
How can you not show the photo of the Concorde landing at Kai Tak??
Two icons together, missed opportunity.
There probably wasn't anything available that was clearly free of copyright
@@chrislohphotography ua-cam.com/video/1s7Q-Z2PGQw/v-deo.html
@@dr.hishamabdulmajeed6951 That's not a video that is copyright free. For example this video - ua-cam.com/video/VRP_jkjOTC8/v-deo.html - if you look in the description, you'll see "License Creative Commons Attribution License (reuse allowed)"
Concorde at Kai Tak was probably the single rarest plane at Kai Tak - more rare than both the 777 and US military aircraft - because to have Concorde fly to Hong Kong you needed to book Concorde as a charter flight.
www.flickr.com/photos/darylchapman/4413021929/in/album-72157606589877614/
I flew into Kai Tak a few times and was always amazed at the proximity of apartment buildings. That last turn on approach was a spectacular view.
I flew into Kai tak in the mid 90s with my wife, and it was an unforgettable experience. Flying between buildings on final approach, and looking into people's apartments as they went about their daily life was just a surreal experience.
I'm fortunate enough to have flown into Kai Tak all through my childhood until I was 13. I also had the pleasure of landing into Chek Lap Kok on day 2 of its opening in 1998. I clearly remember all the information screens where either blank or showing incorrect information and was a case of visiting each luggage carousel to identify your suitcases. It was a chaotic experience, but one that has stayed with me through all these years. I also remember where I lived on Hong Kong Island in Quarry Bay overlooked the harbour and I could see the end of the runway and spot all the beautiful aircraft rotate just before the end. I was too young to fully appreciate it, but I wish I could have turned back time and enjoyed it some more.
Kai Tak was my Go-To airport from 95-97. The shock of seeing people having tea and playing Mah Jong through their windows as we wizzed by at hundreds of miles per hour had me clenching a specific orifice as it’s never been clenched before. Multiple flights in and out of HKG cured me of any fear of death I once harboured. Thanks for sharing this video.
I was a passenger on a BA 747, in the mid 1980’s, from Beijing to London, Kai Tak was a calling point. I was unaware of the airport’s reputation then, but good landing and take off. No hairy moments! Thanks for video.
Flew into Tai Tak Airport in 1997 on my way from AMS-SYD as a passenger. The approach through the apartments is still highly in my mind, that was a great experience.
Was that on board a KLM 747?
My dads friend is a pilot for Korean air, and he really loved that airport.
I flew in and out of K T airport 8 times of course the first time landing was scary but the most frightening experience I had was taking off. I was with my father we were waiting to fly out and a monsoon settled over the airport from the waiting area you look straight down the runway. The clouds were ground level with lightning hitting on all sides. Twenty to thirty planes backed up and we waited at least three hours and no let up. Finally still pouring and wind and lightning they decided to let planes take off. You could see them shaking down the runway until you lost sight in the clouds. When our flight was called I told my father I’m not going.. He started to scream at me and said to get on the plane. Reluctantly I did.i have never been so frightened in my life. We took off went up down shook fluttered swerved dipped and finally after what seemed like an eternity broke through the clouds. I turned to my dad to say something and I swear on everything holy he was sound asleep! True story.
Amazing memories of Kai Tak. Flying in to HK was every time special. I was sad to see it closed
YES !!! in 1990 and it was very cool.
I wasnt scared because i had faith in the pilots' abilities.
I was fortunate enough to jumpseat into Kai Tak in 1997 on a FedEx MD11... IGS to rwy13, one of the most memorable rides I’ve ever had!
So pleased that I have been in and out of Kai Tak, it was in the 80's, only once, but I remember the landing. I remember looking out the plane window, and looking into apartments. Thats my only memory, no recolliction of the take off, or anything else. Very glad to have experienced it
I flew into Kai Tak a couple of times and enjoyed the "mach loop" approach. I can also remember sitting on Lion Rock looking down on the planes as they came in.
There was something magical about flying into Kai Tak, my first time was July 1979, in and out many times after that, until it’s closure, the approach was fantastic, so exhilarating! But strangely enough, what I remember most of all was the smell of the harbour filling the cabin!! 😁😂
When I was in the RCAF back 1986, one of the Boeing 707/CC-137s was on a round the world tour with the CAF National Defense college, they developed engine trouble and landed at Kai Tak, we sent a CC-130H Hercules transport with a replacement engine and techs to do an engine change, they made sure the engine and tool chest were tightly strapped down before they made the infamous turn. The Herc landed safely and the engine was changed. The best part of the trip though was going up to the Canadian War Cemetery to pay their respects to the fallen.
Amazing how Air Force planes always break down in nice places. I was once a passenger in a transport plane that had to fly a dog-leg into Bermuda after a plane suffered a bird strike and needed a new windshield. I was sat by the door and heard the conversation between our crew and the grounded crew. Basically, they had brought the wrong part and the grounded crew were like: "Oh, no, another week in paradise!"
I flew in loads of times in the 80's, being young I always liked the sudden tail swing into the landing, could definitely feel it. Thankfully, it was always on good weather days.
Yes,
I miss Kai Tak Landings !
I used to visit HKG during the 90’s.
Yes it was very frightening for me as a 15yr at the time.
Years later on business, I came out of arrival doors and asked at the information, for direction to the hotel I was staying. It was literally walk 200m, cross the footbridge and I was at my hotel - in the middle of city. That's so close the airport was to the heart of the city. No need for taxi, trains bus etc..
Those were the days
It was a rather extraordinary experience of landing in Kai Tak. I remembering seeing people eating their lunch in their apartment from my airplane window.
I was on a flight from Melbourne to Hong Kong in 1988 and landed at Kai Tak at night, the city lights were a sight to see and it felt as though we would land right on top of one of those buildings; so glad I was able to experience this!
I flew into Kai Tak back in 1996 on a Cathay Pacific 747 out of LAX. Flying between buildings was first for me. Going back out to LAX a week later was crazy. The pilot rotated when he ran out of runway. Once in a lifetime experience.
Lucky you! 31 departure was rare but even more challenging than 13 approach.
I flew Kai Tak and looked forward to those trips every month beginning in 1989 with DC-8’s until 1991, then with 747’s until the end in July 1998. Truly one of the highlights of my career.
For a little Hollywood perspective, watch the 1960 film “The World of Suzie Wong” with William Holden and Nancy Kwan. When I first saw that film, I knew I had to go to Hong Kong someday. Little did I know I would do it as a pilot flying to Kai Tak 29 years later. Always an enjoyable layover with the added spice of that historic IGS13 approach/landing and heavy, Rwy 31 takeoff over downtown Kowloon.
I flew into Kai Tak many times as a kid and vididly remember watching women hanging their washing out on their balconies out of the window within touching distance of the wing!
Same here - I lived in Hong Kong for the first 20 years of my life up until 1985. I flew in and out of Kai Tak many many times, and spent even more time in the bar at the airport every time me or any of my friends flew out.
It was amazing because we were surrounded skycrapper especially when I and my family boarded Singapore Airlines from Singapore...
@@cp8838 Lucky you. People are scratching any chances to leave again, but this time migration is more difficult than 80/90s.
@@steinwaldmadchen I know things are tough right now. I never actually emigrated anywhere though. Both my parents worked for the Hong Kong government, we were always British passport holders, although I did have a "Hong Kong belonger" stamp on the back page.
@@cp8838 ahh, what is that hk be longer stamp meaning, it is an official stamp?
Yes, I flew in to Hong Kong to Kai Tak Airport in 1986 from Sydney, Australia. I didn't know anything about this airport and I was amazed and excited flying through the skyscrapers before landing, I loved it.
yes, landed and took off in a DC 10, as a tourist in a 1983, amazing experience!
I think this is the video I suggested before ❤️
I remember flying in and out of Kai Tak even during typhoon season. A friend of my parents had an apartment in Kowloon on the flight path and I remember them coming in so low you could touch the landing gear if you reached out enough
I loved Kai Tak airport. Flew in/out many times in the late 80’s and through the 90’s. On the approach I always wanted to sit on the right side. I clearly remember seeing the laundry hanging out the windows on those long poles... so close you’d think the wing tip would snag a few shirts or pants.
I was amazed that the airport staff could keep such a busy world class airport running like clockwork with such cramped facilities and only one runway.
I will always miss Kai Tak.
And I lament the loss of a free HK.
1975, October - flew in on a Pan Am 747 landing on 31 and departed several hours later on a QANTAS 707 taking off on 13. I have flown the 13 approach in a simulator and if one sets the approach up properly it is not difficult but add windshear, turbulence, high crosswind component and reduced visibility then it becomes a handful.
Flew in/out of Kai Tak regularly and often in the 80s and 90s. I was on the last CX departure (CX254) out of Kai Tak on the night it closed - I still have the presentation plaque. I was lucky enough to land in three times in the jump seat, once in a 1011, and twice in 747-400s. Believe me, if you thought it was scary as you sat in the cabin, it was a whole lot scarier up front! I was back into CLK a week after it opened and have continued regularly since. I loved Kai Tak but I don’t really miss it now!
I also experienced that landing in the jump seat, an amazing experience.
I first flew into Kai Tak (from London) in August 1981. A truly memorable experience. This was my first ever international flight.
Flew into Kai Tak in 1993. Had a right side window seat on a Northwest Airlines 747-400 out of Narita. Still remember seeing the TV sets on in the apartment buildings about 10 seconds prior to touchdown. There'll never be another.
Excellent summary of the Kai Tak airport. It’s an example of doing your best in difficult circumstances, in this case, the pilots and the people who live under the flight path.
Have ( as a passenger ) landed and taken off several times from this scary runway... someone has commented that from the aircraft window they could see people in tiny houses watching TV.. that's absolutely true..I remember clothes lines in tiny balconies of all the houses facing the runway..( so close it was scary ) with rows after rows of drying clothes..!!! People in those house's living absolute " normal" lives....!!! Thanks for sharing...!!!
Flew into Kai Tak many many times. Always seated on the right, and experience never got old. Does anyone remember the unique smell on landing? Welcome to the Kai Tak nullah!
Yes, I have. Back in 1994 it was hugely busy, and old-fashioned. It scared my soul out of body.
I miss Kai Tak too, landed flying from Auckland en route to London for my "big OE" spectacular landing with skyscrapers on both sides! So good.
I loved flying in and out of Kai Tak. For me it was "back when flying was special". I remember the right turn flying in; the people watching TV in the apartments, or cooking in the kitchen, and the always crowded arrivals area.
I flew in and out of Kai Tak a couple of times. As others note, I remember looking out the window and up at the apartment blocks. It was incredible...and fun. Never did it in bad weather though...
I flew in 1988. I remember seeing all the apartment buildings out my window. It reminded me of flying into San Diego's airport.
it's so surprising
ur channel mentioned about Kai tak
I am just living under the final approach route in Kowloon city
when the plane got over my home, the plane already turned the last corner
it was so loud and impressive
although kai tak closed before I was 8
but it was still very impressive
and it is so hard to find anywhere that similar to my old memory
I flew in there at the beginning of January, 1994 on a Singapore Airlines 747. The wreck of that white 747 with the missing tail was still sitting on the ramp. It overran the runway and ended up in the harbour. Its tail was sticking out into the approach/departure flight path, so it was 'removed' with explosives. My Dad flew in there many times as a passenger during the 1970s and 80s. I'm really happy I got to experience it at least once.
Yes, I flew in to Kai Tak. Was my favorite airport of all time. Terrain, the water, the buildings. The approach was stunning. But also it was great to watch from the ground. You couldn’t see or hear a 747 when in between buildings until it was right on top of you. Then suddenly, a huge shadow would scare the bejesus out of you.
At night, you could take a dinner junk in Victoria Harbour, or a private Star Ferry cruise, and watch the airport and planes come and go at night. One cruise, we pulled up along the side runway 13, as 747s took off, and we were covered with the water spray kicked up from the jet engines. It was a blast. Victoria Harbour was a lot grosser then than today, with all sorts of sewage floating, but it was a blast nevertheless.
I was at the airport once when Prince Charles visited, and police with machine guns were everywhere. Was the first time I saw cops with machine guns.
Yes, it’s true what everyone would say - you could see in people’s apartment homes during the approach. You could see them, a family of 4, eating dinner, and you could count how many plants they had. You were that close.
I was told by senior captains that their companies would not allow you to fly into Kai Tak unless you flew there first as an FO or in the right seat. Several pilots saw the approach, and swore to never take a trip there.
28th May 1976 Flew into Kai Tak for the 1st time on a RAF vc10 as a young British soldier, the seats were facing backwards as usual on military aircraft, quite a scary approach to say the least! Loved that posting though.
Oh yeah I miss so much landing at this Kai Tak heart attack!😂 It was always a treat ❤️🇸🇬👏
Oh yes, I remember it very well. Amazing flight path. Happy Memories!
I remember Kai Tak airport from 1967. So sad, it is no more. Such memories.
Walking the streets and seeing the jets screaming overhead was amazing.
I am a classical musician and I have been flying overseas since I was a teenager-- I remember one year I did a major tour playing concerts all over Asia and had to perform once in and pass thru Hong Kong about 8 times -- I swear landing at that airport took years off my life considering we’d have to land in all sorts of weather from lousy rain / high winds to bright blue skies ( which freaked me out as I couldn’t believe I could look INTO high rises -- I don’t know which was worse the sometimes crazy weather or looking a all those buildings from my window seat ) but now looking back it certainly makes landing & take off at NYC’s Laguardia airport seem like a smooth easy Swiss train lol 😆 still i LOVED the old airport in Hong Kong as I got to stay at the airport hotel several times and how convenient it was basically to walk into town ! Good memories indeed 😁🎶🎵
Flew in during a thunder storm of all things in 1982. Quite a ride....
This is so very interesting and informative
Yes, I flew in 4 or 5 times in the mid-1980s. Amazing experience as we flew between apartment buildings, almost as though driving down a street. We could see people inside their apartments, eating meals, watching tv - quite surreal. I loved the thrill of landing in one of the most exciting places I’d ever visited.
Thanks for this video and the memories of Kai Tak.
Yes, flew in and out of kai tak twice, heck of an experience and view !!
I loved Hong Kong and esp flying into Kai Tak. I always tried to get a seat on the right hand side so I could get a view of the apartment buildings as we turned. I miss it dearly
Early 90s I landed in Kai Tak during a furious rainstorm it was my first and last. Tall buildings suddenly appeared BESIDE me through a cloud, thank God I was young at the time, one of my scariest moments ever and I used to climb mountains...
I remember landing in a QANTAS 747 and thinking the pilot was lost. The next day at the Consulate General's canteen up in a skyscraper I discovered staff spent their break watching this spectacle.
I was in the RAF and made the trip a couple of times from Singapore to Kai Tak and spent a year there 1967-68. Quite a busy little airport with station flight visitors.
I really had a great time.
The first time flying in to Hong Kong from Canada, was a night flight, and the Korean Airline 747 rumbled through and between buildings. I can clearly remember seeing how close the wing tips were to the buildings, and that you can see the occupants through the apartment windows watching tv or eating dinner, like the plane flying right beside their apartment was a common thing.
How could I ever forget it? I could see people out hanging laundry, watching tv in their apartments. It was a 2 valium day.
There I was, a trainee on my first foreign, company paid trip sitting next to my boss, an old Asia hand, in business class (me, in business class - wow!!). As we approached HKG I could see that he was smiling, he had a twinkle in his eyes, he sipped on his whiskey, comfortable in is Cathay aisle seat. Me, I was glued to the window and then it happened - final approach into Kai Tak!! My stomach churned, I could see what family Won was having for dinner on the 10th floor, what family Lee was watching on channel 9 in the next building - I was mesmerized! We landed, my trousers were still dry (thank god), my boss still had the smug look on his face and all he had to say was "Welcome to Hong Kong"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I know that the "new" airport has it's own challenges but it is nothing like landing at Kai Tak! What a baptism to international travel - Thanks Julian!
it seems like you landed in Seoul Korea not Hong Kong, as Won and Lee are Korean names! hahaha
But it's awesome story.
I flew in there twice in 1992 and 1997. Both were hair raising landings, and you felt you could almost reach out and touch the apartment buildings on final approach. The airport terminal had a limited number of gates so they could not tell you far in advance which gate you would go to. So everyone sat around on the floor by the board which listed departures and it was not digital it was analog and had a system of tiles which flipped up and down to change info. It was loud, all clickity clack, and as each time it changed everyone would lean forward and look for their flight and when spotted with the gate number they would shout and leap up and run for the gate, often with not much time to spare. On my return flight in 1997 we took off in a thunderstorm once and we bounced around so much and then finally broke into clear skies. It was an experience every time you landed or took off from there.
We flew into Kai Tak several times in the early 1970’s and again in the early 1990’s. Our family referred to the landing approaches as 1 if by land, 2 if by sea.
I flew into Kai Tak in both DC-10 and 747. After up to 14 hours flying, 2 AM by my home time, everyone was on high alert making that approach, running on adrenaline and caffeine. Especially in nasty weather, which was often, total concentration was mandatory. Then collapse into the cab for the hotel. Often too wound up to go right to sleep, I remember a place called the "Winchester Club". A great place for unwinding.