HK Express Review 2026: Baggage, Seats & HKIA Arrival

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Booking Flights to Hong Kong & HK Express

Flight Review & Airport Arrival Guide

Words & Photos ©High Couple

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'Should we take a trip to Hong Kong?'

If you're currently asking yourself this,

you're probably wondering how much flights cost

and what the current arrival process looks like.

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Today, I'll walk you through expected flight prices

and share an honest review of flying HK Express,

the region's popular low-cost carrier,

plus a step-by-step guide to arriving in Hong Kong!

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Let's start with how much you should expect to pay.

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If you're flying out of a major hub (like Seoul/Incheon),

and you're flexible with your dates, you can easily

find round-trip tickets in the low ~$230s,

even with today's higher fuel surcharges.

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There are plenty of departure times to choose from,

and snagging this price for a weekend trip is a steal!

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On the other hand, if you're flying from smaller

regional airports (like our flight from Busan),

options are limited and it costs ~$40 to ~$75 more.

Expect to pay around ~$270 to ~$300.

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For our recent family vacation,

my parents flew out of the main hub for ~$300,

while we paid ~$380 flying out of our regional airport.

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To summarize, for flights in May/June 2026,

~$230 from major hubs

and ~$270 to ~$300 from regional airports

is considered a very reasonable price point.

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You can easily compare and book

Hong Kong flights using the link below!

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Check Hong Kong Flight Deals Here

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Next up, let's dive into our experience flying

HK Express to get there.

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We booked an early morning flight departing at 7:40 AM,

so we arrived at the airport around 5:00 AM.

The check-in counters weren't open yet,

and thankfully, the lines weren't too crazy.

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While HK Express does offer mobile check-in,

it doesn't allow for free seat selection,

so we opted to check in at the counter.

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HK Express has a strict 15 lbs (7kg) limit for carry-on bags.

Because this is quite low, you'll likely need a checked bag.

(Checked bags are allowed up to 44 lbs / 20kg.)

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We paid to check one bag and kept the other as a carry-on.

At check-in, they weighed the carry-on and attached

a tag proving it was under the 15 lbs limit.

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They are notorious for weighing bags at the gate,

so make absolutely sure you stick to the weight limit!

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Another critical thing to note:

The boarding gate closes strictly 30 minutes

before the scheduled departure time.

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As you can see on the ticket, our flight was at 7:40 AM,

but boarding was strictly set for 7:00 AM.

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The aircraft features a standard 3x3 layout,

typical for short-haul budget flights.

The front row offers extra legroom,

but the standard seats further back are pretty snug.

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I'm a 5'11" (180cm) adult male, and while I fit,

my knees were definitely feeling a bit cramped.

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There's nothing fancy about the seats aside from a tray table.

All in-flight meals and drinks must be purchased.

Also, keep in mind that they strictly prohibit

bringing outside food or drinks on board.

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The flight took about three and a half hours.

Since there's no seatback entertainment,

I highly recommend downloading movies or bringing a book.

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Once we landed in Hong Kong, we headed straight to immigration.

To get to the main arrival hall,

you have to hop on an airport shuttle train.

Be prepared for a fair bit of walking!

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After getting off the shuttle,

just follow the 'Visitors' signs to reach immigration.

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There are no paper or electronic arrival cards anymore,

so you only need your passport to clear immigration!

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However, immigration officers may occasionally ask

for proof of a return ticket or hotel booking,

so it's smart to have those printed or screenshotted just in case.

(They didn't ask me any questions at all.)

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From clearing immigration to reaching the baggage claim,

it took us about 20 minutes.

The bags took a little while to come out,

so the entire arrival process took about 30 to 35 minutes.

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Pro tip: Before you exit the arrivals area,

there's an HSBC ATM where you can easily withdraw cash.

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That wraps up my guide to flight prices,

flying HK Express, and navigating the airport!

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Hong Kong is an incredibly easy city to travel in,

and experiencing its unique blend of Chinese

and British culture makes it a highly rewarding destination.

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While summers can get a bit hot (around 85°F+),

the cheaper flights make it a fantastic budget-friendly getaway!

If you're debating a trip to Hong Kong,

I hope this review helps you plan your next adventure!