Hong Kong International Airport is located on its own island, due west of Hong Kong Island. A multi-time winner of Skytrax's World's Best Airport award, the airport has flights arriving from most continents in the world, including an abundance of services to the major cities of Asia and Oceania. The shortest transfer time from the airport to Hong Kong Island Central is 24 minutes.

Hong Kong International Airport is a major hub for Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong Airlines, and Hong Kong Express. Direct flights travel as far as New York's JFK airport, as well as numerous destinations in Europe, Asia, Oceania, the Middle East and Africa. Terminal 1 is the world's third largest airport passenger terminal and all flights depart or arrive here. Terminal 2 is purely a check-in facility with many low-cost carriers servicing check-in operations here. Travellers must then take the concourse or underground shuttle train between the terminals. Sky Plaza, the airport largest shopping facility is located in Terminal 2 and passengers can clear security and customs at both terminals.

A dedicated Airport Express travels from the airport to Hong Kong Station on Hong Kong Island, taking 24 minutes. This service also stops at Tsing Yi Station and Kowloon Station on the mainland. It's also possible to travel by bus from the airport to the nearby Tung Chung station and transfer onto an MRT line to the city. Airport buses also depart at regular intervals and taxis are readily available outside arrivals. Use a red taxi for any destination on Hong Kong Island or Kowloon.

Hong Kong International is built on land reclaimed from the sea and replaced Kai Tak Airport, which had just a single runway in Kowloon Bay, amongst acres of rapidly-rising skyscrapers.