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Regional short-haul operators flying to Hong Kong include Singapore-based Jetstar (www.jetstar.com), which flies to Jakarta and Singapore.

Major airlines serving Hong Kong:

Air New Zealand (NZ; Map; 2862 8988; www.airnewzealand.com.hk; Suite 1701, 17th fl, Jardine House, 1 Connaught Pl, Central)

British Airways (BA; Map; 3071 5083; www.britishairways.com; 24th fl, Jardine House, 1 Connaught Pl, Central)

China Eastern (MU; Map; 2861 1898; www.ce-air.com; Unit B, 31st fl, United Centre, 95 Queensway, Admiralty)

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CLIMATE CHANGE & TRAVEL

Climate change is a serious threat to the ecosystems that humans rely upon, and air travel is the fastest-growing contributor to the problem. Lonely Planet regards travel, overall, as a global benefit, but believes we all have a responsibility to limit our personal impact on global warming.

Flying & Climate Change

Pretty much every form of motor transport generates carbon dioxide (the main cause of human-induced climate change) but planes are far and away the worst offenders, not just because of the sheer distances they allow us to travel, but because they release greenhouse gases high into the atmosphere. The statistics are frightening: two people taking a return flight between Europe and the US will contribute as much to climate change as an average household’s gas and electricity consumption over a whole year.

Carbon Offset Schemes

Climatecare.org and other websites use ‘carbon calculators’ that allow travellers to offset the greenhouse gases they are responsible for with contributions to energy-saving projects and other climate-friendly initiatives in the developing world – including projects in India, Honduras, Kazakhstan and Uganda.

Lonely Planet, together with Rough Guides and other concerned partners in the travel industry, supports the carbon offset scheme run by climatecare.org. Lonely Planet offsets all of its staff and author travel.

For more information check out our website: www.lonelyplanet.com.

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China Southern Airlines (CZ; Map; 2929 5033; www.cs-air.com; Unit B1, 9th fl, United Centre, 95 Queensway, Admiralty)

Dragonair (KA; Map; 3193 3888; www.dragonair.com/hk; Suite 1808, 18th fl, Tower 6, The Gateway, Harbour City, 9 Canton Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui)

Hong Kong Express (UO; Map; 3923 7399; www.hongkongexpress.com; 28th fl, Bank of East Asia Harbour View Centre, 56 Gloucester Rd, Wan Chai)

Northwest Airlines (NW; 2810 4288; www.nwa.com/hk)

Qantas Airways (QF; Map; 2822 9000; www.qantas.com.au; 24th fl, Jardine House, 1 Connaught Pl, Central)

Singapore Airlines (SQ; Map; 2520 2233; www.singaporeair.com.hk; 17th fl, United Centre, 95 Queensway, Admiralty)

Virgin Atlantic Airways (VS; Map; 2532 6060; 8th fl, Alexandra House, 16-20 Chater Rd, Central)

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Airport

Hong Kong International Airport ( Map; 2181 0000; www.hkairport.com), which was the world’s largest civil engineering project when it opened in mid-1998, is on Chek Lap Kok, a largely man-made island off the northern coast of Lantau. It is connected to the mainland by several spans. Among them is the 2.2km-long Tsing Ma Bridge, which is one of the world’s largest suspension bridges and is capable of supporting both road and rail transport, including the 34km-long Airport Express high-speed train from Hong Kong Island to Chek Lap Kok via Kowloon.

The futuristic passenger terminal, designed by British architect Sir Norman Foster, consists of eight levels, with check-in on level seven, departures on level six and arrivals on level five. Outlets (including bank branches, moneychangers and five ATMs) total 150, and there are more than 30 cafes, restaurants and bars, and more than 280 check-in counters.

The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB; 2508 1234; www.discoverhongkong.com) maintains information centres on level five. On the same level you’ll also find branches of China Travel Service (CTS; 2261 2472, 2261 2062; www.ctshk.com; 8.45am-10pm), which can issue China visas, and counters run by the Hong Kong Hotels Association