Read more about Kai Tak Airport from SCMP: sc.mp/0gkk

It's actually a miracle we haven't had more accidents at that airport. Probably because of its very difficult approach, only specially trained pilots could fly there.

@haltsmaul.

Жыл бұрын

Oftentimes things that are (perceived as being) dangerous make us pay more attention and be careful to the point that there are less incidents than if they were more safe. Road engineers sometimes make roads more narrow, bendy with obstacles and with trees alongside just so that people not only drive slower, but also more attentively because it feels risky to not pay attention and have your foot hovering over the brake pedal.

@Homer-je1pz

Жыл бұрын

@@haltsmaul. perceived safety vs actual safety. People drive as safely they feel safe driving.

@unreliablenarrator6649

Жыл бұрын

I remember the China Airlines runway over-run with the plane sitting in Kowloon Bay for days until it was retrieved.

@EvoraGT430

Жыл бұрын

@@unreliablenarrator6649 That plane was 6 weeks old.....

@peppatheoof

Жыл бұрын

@@haltsmaul. Seriously. I always say, the best way to get people to slow down is to make their path narrower. If it's wider and more open, there's more incentive and less risk/obstacle. But if it's narrow and *seemingly* more challenging people inherently slow down

I remember as a kid whenever visiting family in Hong Kong, in the early 90s, it was such an awesome site flying over the building you can see the people inside. And when in the streets, you can hear the roar getting louder then a giant plane flies overhead. Great memories but of course as a kid, didn't realize how dangerous it can be lol

@JIM-WALTON

Жыл бұрын

ESTABLISH YOUR SELF THROUGH INVESTMENT. 👇👇👇👇 @JIMWALTONS

@kenchan994

Жыл бұрын

That’s sooo right. Same here seeing this as a kid.

@SK-lt1so

Жыл бұрын

You would plunge towards the runway with residential buildings on either side, residence in view thru windows.

@leealex24

Жыл бұрын

I flew from KL -> HK in the 90's to Kai Tak airport when I was a kid. I remembered quite clearly it was so scary when the airplane so near to the buildings and began to wonder if we were to land at the city center instead of the airport! Crazy. :)

@AudieHolland

Жыл бұрын

I think it would be far more dangerous to go to a fair and get on board one of those 'vertical lift' contraptions.

I was honored to be on the 2nd last flight to have landed at Kai Tak on the day it closed. The whole airport was in a state of move... packing boxes everywhere. Then after 1am, I could see the boats packing up containers and shipping out from Kai Tak to Chep Lap Kok. I was staying at a hotel near the Convention Centre at the time. It was sad and exciting at the same time.

@darylkidscorner6174

Жыл бұрын

I was there for the last landing and at CLK for the first arrival

@bsmith1164

Жыл бұрын

I worked the last evening shift at Kai Tak tower and the first dayshift at CLK tower (scheduling screwup, but I didn't care). I loved Kai Tak, but CLK is too sterile to be exciting as Kai Tak was.

@bryangaming2411

10 ай бұрын

@@bsmith1164you a pilot?

@VaoDxArchAngel

4 ай бұрын

@@bryangaming2411 He would be an air traffic controller if he was in the towers

My brother flew for Air New Zealand as a pilot and he would tell me stories of how he would see people hanging their washing out on the line flying into Kai Tak. He said it was the most exciting airport to fly into and it really made him work for his pay. He passed away in 2008.

@capricorn839

Жыл бұрын

He is a skilled pilot though

@hellomoto2084

Жыл бұрын

Rest in peace may you brother

@johnling5219

Ай бұрын

I understand that only too well. I recall one take off - it appeared between the skyscrapers and watch people eating their meals as we flew past their flats/units.

That Cathay’s 747 photo was absolutely legendary!

@hkgspotter1

11 ай бұрын

Thank you, I took that.

@SO-rq3pm

10 ай бұрын

@@hkgspotter1 You should make it patented and sell it to the tourism board of HK or Cathy Pacific for marketing purposes! It's truly legendary, thank you! I'd seriously love to have a postcard or poster of that amazing piece!

@lourencoleal248

4 ай бұрын

​@@hkgspotter1de la mer je pense que je vais bien 2 et que tu es une personne très très bien et toi qui a gagné la première coupe du monde de la mer 2 et ❤de la mer je vous souhaite ❤fêtes de fin d'année et à très bientôt

@lourencoleal248

4 ай бұрын

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@deshkarthik

4 ай бұрын

I agree

It takes the world’s greatest and the most talented pilots to execute a landing without killing someone.

@wengelder9256

Жыл бұрын

A special license is needed .

@luckyme4136

Жыл бұрын

I don't think the pilot of the China Airlines 747 that ended up in the water can be described as MOST TALENTED 😏

@ronenfefer6162

Жыл бұрын

@@luckyme4136 let’s put it this way: China airlines in the 90s and early 00s was one of airlines with the worst safety record.

@SO-rq3pm

10 ай бұрын

@@luckyme4136 it's nothing to do with the airport or runway; China Airlines was infamous for their safety record

@Gerryjournal

3 ай бұрын

Mostly Australian pilots I believe

I remember flying on a 747 to Hong Kong in 1997, being on the right side of the plane and seeing in people's kitchens. I'll never forget it. You were literally flying between the buildings after that crazy bank turn to align with the runway.

@ma2i485

Жыл бұрын

Crazy stuff

@cherylwellham3786

9 ай бұрын

I recall the same thing. There was a man in his vest cooking on his stove top. We seemed to be flying in between the buildings. Unforgettable.

As a business traveler, it was my fortune to experience Kai Tak ten times - twice a year in 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, and 1997. All travels originated from Seattle: 8 on Northwest Airlines, 2 on United Airlines, and all on 747's. Our first arrival was a hard-stand park. As my colleague and I waited to board the bus to bring us to the terminal, we looked at each other and said, "The Aroma of Tacoma." In retrospect, "The Aroma of Tacoma" is one of many wonderful intangible qualities that make Kai Tak both memorable and special to me.

It wasn't/isn't a myth about being able to see TV's in peoples living room. I flew into Kai Tak in 1991 and was sat on the right side (purposely asked for the seat 😃) of the Boeing 747, I can to this day still recall clearly seeing people hanging out their washing on balconies and even saw a few TV's in living rooms as we banked hard. Glad I got to do it just the once before this legendary airport closed down.

@azmodanpc

Жыл бұрын

Been there 3 times before the closure. Can confirm it.

@SO-rq3pm

10 ай бұрын

I can testify what you said. 30 seconds before landing I did also see people's TV at home, and some were doing their laundry at the open roof top of their residential building!

@jamessimms415

3 ай бұрын

Same here. Flew into Kai Tak February 1985 while on leave w/the US Army in Korea. I was sitting in the right seat of a Thai International 747. Looked out into someone’s apartment watching tv.

@ssj4david

28 күн бұрын

Can testify to exactly what you said. I could see people going about their days and see their TV screens on/ hanging laundry. Also felt like the plane was circling the entire city several times before touching down

I flew into HK for the first time in 1995 and I could actually see through the high rise windows, family having dinner like meters away. It was quite an experience that I will never forget.

Even with all the problems Kai Tak emitted such as the noise, pollution and crashes, It is still sad to see such a wonderful airport go away.

@RoyLimisAw3s0me

Жыл бұрын

an A380 can't land there anyhow; not enough runways haha

@putusancaya9985

Жыл бұрын

Ok, that seems like the weirdest statement ever.

@RoyLimisAw3s0me

Жыл бұрын

@@putusancaya9985 how weird is it? A380 is the biggest civilian airliner in the world; the length of Kai Tak wouldn't made the grade which means the airport is not suitable... and even there is no A380; HK had to build a new terminal anyhow also which means Kai Tak would be reclaimed for public infrastructure when Hong Kong has little available lands for development as well...

@bossmen6665

Жыл бұрын

yes keep your cofin house

@putusancaya9985

Жыл бұрын

Ok fair point, but Kai Tak will still be missed.

As a Dragonair pilot we flew into Kai Tak more than any other pilot. It became an everyday event. Four sector days meant both the Captain and F/O got a takeoff and landing every flying day. Other airlines found it tricky as they seldom flew into KaiTak. Even Cathay Pacific, mostly flying long haul, didn't get very many takeoffs and landings every month. It became second nature. We barely looked at the checker board. Stonecutters Island was the main landmark as a turning point on final approach.

@edgey4970

2 ай бұрын

I was a ground engineer working at HAECO at Kai Tak and I flew a few times with Dragonair on the B737 as a flying spanner on flights to Kagoshima.

@tubistify

2 ай бұрын

When we changed to the A320 in 1993 we'd take an engineer on every flight until the aircraft was bedded in. On the B737-200 all flights to Japan had a refueling stop in Kagoshima with the strong jetstream headwind on the return. On the A320 we could do direct to Sendai or Hiroshima both ways.@@edgey4970

I experienced taking off from Kai Tak when I was a child, as well as watching planes landing and taking off from high rise condo. Breathtaking.

@Sacto1654

Жыл бұрын

I remember in 1979 when I flew a Japan Airlines 747-200 from Hong Kong to Tokyo (and eventually onto San Francisco). And the plane was flying towards the mountains, too. The plane had to execute a fairly steep climb before it made a left turn.

Fantastic video!! Brings back so many memories. I was a corporate pilot and flew a corporate BAC 1-11 into Kai Tak three times. It was the most fun as well as the scariest landings I had ever made in all of my career. Now retired.

@darylkidscorner6174

Жыл бұрын

I only got to see one BAC 1-11 at Kai Tak. PK-TRU I think it was

Kai Tak is iconic. Actually it is more impressive from outside the plane when you can observe the movements of the aircraft from upclose as it negotiates the landing process . A hairy experience which is guaranteed to leave a lasting impression. Love the runway which goes straight into the sea- one mistake and you'll end up ditching.

@Monsierecon

10 ай бұрын

I don't remember what year it was--it was 1995 or thereabouts. A typhoon hit Hong Kong and they turned planes away but for some reason they gave permission to a China Airlines plane to land. The plane couldn't stop in time and scuttled off the runway. No-one was hurt, fortunately. I remember the photo of the plane floating in the water.

Sitting beside the right window and looking out as the plane made its final short turn toward the runway was the most thrilling experience in aviation. My wall is decorated with a poster of a Northwest 747 taking off from Kai Tak. It was truly an iconic airport.

@yuetkukoihoje

Жыл бұрын

Don't forget the unique beauty and the sparking views when you're landing at night. There's no way you can find another airport has that kind of night view in the world.

I was lucky enough to fly into the same airport in 1976. Sadly I was only 4 years old at the time, so don't really remember much. Later on in life my dad told me stories of how amazing the landings were and how amazing the pilots were to fly into this airport.

@valeria-militiamessalina5672

Жыл бұрын

Oh wow, born when Nixon was in office, it's just stupendous that youtube is also populated by half-centenarians, true pre-internet era living fossils that give us the joy of learning more and more about bygone times.

I remember landing there in '88 and I distinctly remember saying to my sister...are we going to hit the buildings, are we landing in the water? It was a scary and amazing experience. My parents live in Montebello, where the planes from LAX circle in the air for approach and it is deafening at times. The house would shake so bad. I can't even imagine how loud it is for the people living that close to Kai Tak.

@cpcxgsr

Жыл бұрын

its LOUD. I remember as a kid, AC wasn't available for all rooms of your small apt. It's usually only in bedrooms. So when I was in my family's living room, their windows would be open. The ROAR of the jet engines is unforgettable. And same with the glimpse of seeing a 747 fly pass your window

@kawasakifly

Жыл бұрын

Another montebello local! 👋

I remember flying in and out of this airport as a kid, through to my teenage years. This was way back in the 80s to mid 90s. To this day, nothing quite comes close to the airport experience at Kai Tak. Truly a one of a kind place no matter which side of the runway you land or take-off from.

Kai Tak airport surely left a beautiful memories to lots of people

I was cabin crew between 1974 and 1978 - BA on 747s. I flew into Hong Kong once and found the place to be brilliant and exciting. While other crew members who had been before related how 'hairy' the landing would be I was too busy preparing the cabin to see much. Which is a shame. I liked the idea of seeing into people's apartments as we roared past. At the age of 21 you never think you're going to die.

Back in 86 when I was in a 747 landing in HK. It was about lunch time and people could be seen having their meals. You could almost waved at them.

Flew into Kai Tak several times as a child in the 50s. It was quite spectacular, and an evening landing with all the lights was beautiful.

Not just Kai Tak but Hong Kong itself was once a unique place that was one and the only in the world. Sadly the sparkle has gone, it’s now dull and dreary.

@hkgspotter1

Жыл бұрын

Oh dear.....

As a kid, we used to go and sit near the Checkerboard up at and watch planes from the huge park that was up near there. On other days we'd venture around the Walled City (which for kids was a scary and intriguing place all at one) and hang around Kowloon City. But the most fun was finding a Kowloon City low-rise residential building with an open-door to the roof. Getting up there with our cold ice lollies and lying on the hot roofs watching the planes fly overheard - we always joked that you could almost touch the wheels!

The power of the airplane is exciting, not the noise. I sat in one of the terminal buildings of Kai Tak and listened to the planes. The building shook every time a plane descended. I loved it. It's amazing human engineering can be this powerful.

I’ve taken flights into Kaitak when I was a kid. It was so awesome, especially at night. It felt so low and so close to the buildings. The most exciting landings ever.

Greatest airport in history. At the height of the Golden Age of flying.

I remember as a kid, landing at Kai Tai during evening flights from my native Philippines. The lights and the rumbling sound of the plane engines as we approached Hong Kong is a lovely childhood memory of my family vacations there. It was a much simpler time then.

I was working as a Flight Steward, in the 80’s, I remember once while on a L1011 Lockheed Tri Star, there was a huge storm with lot of wind and rain and the Captain had to turn around several times around the aircraft was thrown sideways several times I knew through experience that it is going to be a difficult landing for the pilots, especially as there were many high rise buildings and finally when we landed the plane skidded to the left and then to the right and I told myself this may end up badly, but luckily the pilots managed to manœuvre the aircraft skillfully and avoided a probable disaster, Once I was in a supernumerary crew(Passengering crew members) and as the Flight was full I had to sit behind the Captain’s seat, and the Flight was from Singapore to Hong Kong and I had a fine view of the Hong Kong airport through the large windows of the cockpit and it was quite scary landing over the high rise buildings, you could literally see the clothes hanging in the apartment balconies, a little bit of wind shear would easily plunge the aircraft towards the buildings, only experienced pilots were used as it was a high risk airport, one side there were buildings on the other the sea, and if the landing speed is not controlled the aircraft would invariably end up in the sea.

@InTeCredo

Жыл бұрын

There was a famous film clip of Korean Air Lines 747 doing the crab landing. I can surmise what you experienced!

Hong Kong was such a fascinating and unique place. Flying into Kai Tak was always a thrilling beginning to a fantastic visit to what was one of the world’s greatest cities. I don’t know about TVs, but one could definitely see the details of clothes that people were hanging out to dry on their balconies!

@darylkidscorner6174

Жыл бұрын

Hong Kong IS a fascinating place, its been my home for MANY years.

I recall landing at kai tak as a kid. Its the only airport where you could see people walking about their apartments at the same level you were as the plane was going in.

My Dad was stationed at RAF Kai Tak. We first lived at Kah Wah Terrace roughly behind the chequer Board before we moved to Prince Edward Road. It really was a magic place where memories still mean everything. Last one was sitting in a Bristol Brittania sitting backwards and the engines revving like mad on take off from Kai Tak. I still say that you can leave Hong Kong/ Kowloon but so pleased Hong Kong has never left me.

The fact that the infamous Walled City was right next to the airport always boggles my mind. Heard a lot from first hand accounts of people about how they could see into the complex's interiors and see people living in those apartments all from inside the plane! Always gives me the chills how close the planes flew next to them during their final approach.

Unforgettable experience during my working years, flying over H.Kong on 747 and just over the buildings with the right turn at the latest moment ..... to cope with the runway.... from 1985 to 1998 4/5 times every year on business trip from Venice via Amsterdam on KLM .....Those were the years.... and then the new airport Chek Lap Kok, but Kai Tak still lies on my heart.....

I remember as a boy taking off and landing at Kai Tak and it was always exciting , I was never frightened with BOAC pilots. I also lived in Kowloon City Police married quarters and when you went to Kowloon City market those planes were literally 50 feet above you and the noise was phenomenal. I used to hang out by the perimeter fence just to watch them take off and land..happy days

It was the most heart stopping,breathtaking experience. I looked out of the window of the plane and I see a row of low flats. I could see inside their homes too. THAT was the HK I remember and love.

it represent a great time of HK that will never get back, all the nice memories; used to sit a the window watch planes from runway 31, telling my grandpa (who past during the pandemic which I can't return to see him) what plane and airline were landing or taking off... still remember the first time seeing the jet bridge that will move up and down for departure and arrival level... Remember the night they have to blow off the tail of the China Airlines, sleeping in my room and heard the bang...

Wow, this brings back some fond memories! I remember flying into Kai Tak in the late 90s, just as a typhoon was brewing. It was an amazing landing...I arrived, got settled into my hotel, then the next day the typhoon signal was hoisted. Yes, fond memories--but the new airport on Chek Lap Kok is no less than amazing, extremely well-planned. It's the only airport I've ever been to where I regret that my departing flight is on time... 👍🇭🇰

I had fon memory of this airport back in 1997 as a flight attendant. My hotel room was just there. U can literally see jumbo jet flying over. I was only 23 back then.😊❤❤❤❤

In the mid 80s I travelled from Tokyo to Oslo and spent a few of days in Hong Kong and Bangkok. Landing at Kai Tak was spectacular, especially when we passed The Walled City.

Air New Zealand flight attendant in the day. Wonderful memories of Kai Tak and HKG

Those were the days. I was lucky enough to be able to work there in 30 years ago. Kai Tak is a legendary airport in aviation industry and hongkongers' hearts forever!

Pilots used to call it "The Kai Tak Heart Attack."

Landing at Kai Tak is something you never forget✈

@gregghansen1579

3 ай бұрын

I totally agree! In fact, my family and I crashed into Kowloon Bay on a Thai Airways flight on June 30, 1967...I remember it like it happened yesterday! We were making an approach into Kai Tai during a typhoon at about 4 PM when the pilot realized that we were too low too soon. So, we ended up landing in the water about 900 yards off the end of the runway. Luckily, my whole family survived the crash but 24 of the 80 people on the flight didn't. About 20 years later, I was on a business trip to HK and we approached over the city on another Thai Airways flight, in an Airbus! I was white-knuckling the whole landing until we came to a stop at the terminal!

Flew into this airport many times in the 70's always a thrill.

Very interesting thanks for posting

I had my most memorable air journeys started and ending at Hong Kong airport back in time during 1993 - 2000. One of the most iconic place and era

I was fortunate to be a passenger on one of the last commercial flight to land at Kai Tak. I was seated on the right side of the plane and while I don't recall what people were watching on TV, I clearly recall seeing ceiling fans spinning in their apartments. My grandfather, with whom I was traveling, was allowed to experience the landing from the cockpit, which he said was surreal.

I have been to Kai Tak many times lots of nostalgia about that place. I like the new airport as well but always Kai Tak was my favourite.

I will never forget my very first flight to Hong Kong was from San Francisco on a United flight in 1997. At that time, I really never knew about or understood what Kai Tak or the checkerboard was all about and I regret not having done some plane spotting at that time. Over the years that have followed I have traveled to Hong Kong many times (about 2-3 times per year) for Business and am lucky to have the memories of Hong Kong. Not only flying into Hong Kong but being surrounded by the whole atmosphere and history of Hong Kong. Enjoying Cigar Bars, outdoor dinning, shopping, the Prince's building, the Mandarin Oriental, the Peninsula Hotel, and Lan Kwai Fong. I will be going back in a few months and want to hike around the checkerboard again as I understand it's been renovated / re-painted. Cheers Hong Kong.

Thank you for this great look at the memories of a great airport.

Thank you very much for this video. I’ve flown in and out of Kai Tak 2 times, 1994 & 1995. First time was quite an experience, as only a couple of days beforehand a Lockheed-L-100-Hercules ended up in the drink on takeoff. I’d heard about how difficult Kai Tak was to land at, coming in low over the rooftops of the high rise buildings, but to see and experience it myself, is something I will never forget. A couple of days after arriving at Kai Tak, I went up on The Peak, where I could look out over the bay and watch the planes land and takeoff. Having spoken to a few people at The Peak, I discovered they were like me, it was something as a tourist that you had to do. You just had to marvel at the skill of the pilots.

The first time I went to HK I wasn't prepared for the excitement of flying into Kai Tak. It was terrifying. Bravo to all the pilots who got us there.

Amazing storytelling, great video. Definitly some breathtaking moments there everyday..

In the early 70’s I flew (as a passenger) into and out of Kai Tak airport. It was always exciting. To look out of the port side window you could see the mountain towering above the aircraft.

For those who wondered how loud it was to live under the flight path: I went to a primary school in 92-94 (La Salle) that was within 2km from the airport and directly under the approach... There is a reason why every classroom was equipped with an amplifier system, and even then the teacher had to take pauses. The old school building had no AC, just opened windows in the hot humid climate. It is amazing what we used to put up with!

Thank you for putting together this brief history of Kai Tak airport. Even though I only travel to and through Hong Kong a few times in the late 80s and early 90s I have some lasting memories. While the rumor of being able to see what people are watching on television might be a stretch, I can tell you that you can easily see what kind of clothes are being dried outside on the balcony of the buildings you are flying in between. Then there was the time I was in the terminal waiting for a flight and a tremendous noise was coming from outside. I went over to a window and was able to watch a Concorde taking off. Wow!! I flew out of Kai Tak in 1988 shortly after the CAAC airlines accident occurred. The plane was still nose first in the water on the edge of the runway.

Kai Tak was a wonderful feature of a very wonderful place

Fantastic video, thank you for sharing!

I used the airport in 1981...what a memory of HK

To tell you how special this airport is, I keep watching similar or repeated documentaries about Kai Tak, despite I flew there and saw the plane landing in Kowloon ! There's something magical/fascinating that was taken from us even if we all agree a new airport was needed

Love this video - well paced and very informative and engaging. Please do more! 👍👍👍🙏🙏🙏💪💪💪

I had the honor to experience the approach and landing at Kai Tak from the L1011-500 Tristar cockipt during the late 1990s before it closed down. Nothing like Kai Tak

A beautiful video with lots of love shown towards Kai Tak. Without knowing it, I landed "my 747" for the last time on rwy 13 on 25 feb 1998 I also miss those old times and that overcrowded,yet well managed chaos. ...and sometimes when there was a lot of crosswind and maybe heavy rain, lots of pilots had that sense of pride that they had managed Kai Tak again. Probably in the late 80s I saw the news on ATV when they showed an artist's impression of the new airport. These days taking off from the 07 Rwys towards China one can still see a little of the old runway and remember that beautiful time.

Fascinating documentary! I have always been in awe of this airport and the skill of the pilots who landed there; just amazing!

I landed in Hong Kong for the first time when Chek Lap Kok airport had been running for just two weeks. I was really wishing I had booked that trip earlier so I didn't miss the Kai Tak experience!!! 😢😢

I loved the video. ❤ so much history

This is a precious story. Fine presentation.

I'm glad that I got to experience landing there in 1993 in a Cathay Pacific 747-400. I was sitting on the right side, and while I couldn't see what people were watching on TV, it was shocking how close the wingtip looked to the buildings when it made that tight right hand turn to line up with the runway. The plane hit the ground so hard that overhead bins popped open. Landing at the new airport is very tame.

I never experienced flying into Kai Tak airport, but I was regaled by an older colleague of his experience of it whilst visiting relatives in HK. The excitement and amazement on his face as he described what he saw during the landing made me want to visit HK just for that experience. Sadly, by the time I made my way to that part of the world, the old airport has seized operation and our plane landed on the new airport.

I can still remember the scene when the aircraft was flying so low I could see a group of people playing mahjong in an apartment. Fantastic flying skill.

Many wonderful memories of landing into Kai Tak when I was a kid. The last two times in 1996 and 1998 were extra special because by then I was old enough to really appreciate how unique this approach was.

This is beautiful memories.

That legendary plane between building photograph will forever become part of HK history.

Hong Kong's unique way to welcome travellers to this beautiful amazing wonderful city. Runway 13 was so spectacular!

Still remember the first and only time I landed in Hongkong way back in 1994 when I was only 9.. I remember the tall buildings dotting the landscape as we landed and the planes flying close overhead on the way to Kowloon Panda hotel.. Kai Tak, Ocean Park and the Panda hotel is what stuck to my mind to this day.. I really hope to revisit Hong Kong some day❤

I went to Hong Kong 🇭🇰. It is beautiful country. Just little crowded .

1:39 I appreciate how the plane gives verbal feedback on the pilot's performance

My husband flew into Kai Tak regularly as a pilot. He’s flown into the new airport there but he says it lacks the charm of Kai Tak.

ah yes, the airbus radio altimeter callouts at 1:40

I remembered say farewell to my uncle and aunt in Kai Tak Airport when they left HK to USA and Canada around the 60s.

I loved Kai tak landings and take off

Lucky enough to have landed and taken off from there on numerous occasions, Great experience and one that will never be forgotten...

I flew into Kai Tak quite frequently in the 90's , my wife at that time was a FA for Northwest Airlines , I had a spouse pass , Easy enough to ride along with her to Hong Kong . We would chat it up , late at night in the jump seats , and top the evening off with a wild ride through the " Canyons of Kowloon " , never was it boring

It warms my heart to know that the people of Kai Tak have restored the checkerboard. Greetings from the United States.

I loved Kai Tak. Sorry to see it go.

On my first visit to HK I was in a Pan Am 747. I didn't know *anything* about Kai Tak. As we got very close to the runway we made a very steep turn and I honestly thought we were gonna crash. After we leveled off I could see into the windows of apartments and I could even see that one or two had their TVs on. After clearing customs I was walking to a transit station and was able to get a picture of a bright orange Braniff 747 flying about 100 feet overhead. Kai Tak Heart Attack? Yup,I survived one!

I will never forget landing on Kai Tak airport when I was a teenager. it was quite a ride.

Still in my memory

Just recalled so much of my fond memories of making a single pilot IGS approach on 13 and reversal for 31 approach in heli. So much fun but equally so much excitement and thrill.

I flew to HK a couple of times in the mid 1990s. First landing was at night, which was pretty spectacular.

Great video! More like that about planes and jets

Amazing airport, amazing experience flying over it!

I have a friend worked as a captain on Cathay Pacific and will never forget when i was in cockpit and he land a fully loaded 747-400 on a windy day and heavy rain at Kai Tak. No one ever land at Kai Tak heart attack never forget.

Brings back fond memories of living in Hong Kong in the late 80s

We might not see the TV that people were watching...But I fondly remember seeing people's laundry hanging on the rooftops and all the big neon business signs when landing at Kai Tak when I was a kid. It was cool and scary at the same time, but we trusted the pilots. So grateful that I got to experience. Grateful for all the experienced pilots who maneuvered this airport. 🙏

Easily the most fun airport, loved flying in

Yess I experienced it from 1985 until its last day. I remember taking photos on its last day watching the incoming plane from the rooftop building, incredible experience 😍✈️….. thank you for posting