Korean Air Skypass - Business Class Travel (XXX-EWR-PEK-ICN) with LONG LAYOVER IN PEK! HELP!

Hey all, I'm flying to ICN from the States (routing: XXX-EWR-PEK-ICN). The trans-Pacific portion is aboard CO in BusinessFirst, and then I connect with KE in Prestige Class (business class). My layover in PEK is over 7 HOURS--yes, SEVEN HOURS. Here are my questions:

1) Will my checked luggage be ok all the way through ICN despite this prolonged layover? I know some airlines require you to claim your luggage if your layover is over a certain time.

2) I looked on the KE website for Prestige Class lounge information in PEK. It seems they use the Air China lounge which has showers, according to the amenities page. What's odd, however, is how there is "FR only" in parenthesis following the word "shower." What does "FR" mean? I wonder whether I can access any other Sky Team lounges with an international J ticket--albeit an award ticket. Anyone have experience with this?

3) Do you all think I'd be able to leave the airport and go into Beijing based on my layover? Will I need a visa to leave the airport for a few hours? And if I have to stay in the airport, is the PEK airport remotely interesting? Though I will have tons of work, it'd be nice to not do it--at least for awhile :D.

4) Apparently "Dinner" is listed under "meals" in my itinerary. Will there be a full dinner service (or food that is comparable to a dinner)? Or, should I eat at the airport? I mean, the flight is only 567 miles.


Thanks, FT!

why dont you fly from JFK to ICN???

I'm actually flying on an award ticket, and this is where the availability was. Believe me, if I had the chance, I'd easily change to the JFK-ICN non-stop.

3) Do you all think I'd be able to leave the airport and go into Beijing based on my layover? Will I need a visa to leave the airport for a few hours? And if I have to stay in the airport, is the PEK airport remotely interesting? Though I will have tons of work, it'd be nice to not do it--at least for awhile :D.

Yes, you will need a visa to leave the airport. CO uses Terminal 2 At Bejing Capital. It is not as Interesting or modern as Termoinal 3. In other words, 7 hours would be a long time to stay there.

3) Do you all think I'd be able to leave the airport and go into Beijing based on my layover? Will I need a visa to leave the airport for a few hours? And if I have to stay in the airport, is the PEK airport remotely interesting? Though I will have tons of work, it'd be nice to not do it--at least for awhile :D.

Yes, you will need a visa to leave the airport. CO uses Terminal 2 At Bejing Capital. It is not as Interesting or modern as Termoinal 3. In other words, 7 hours would be a long time to stay there.

I thought that if I'm a transit passenger who is in PEK for less than 24 hours, I can leave the airport with no visa--at least according to the CO CSR. Can I leave terminal 2 and enter terminal 3 without a visa? Do you know of interesting things to do if I can't leave the airport?

http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/hzqz/zgqz/t84242.htm

Visas are not required of aliens who hold air tickets to the final destination and have booked seats on international airliners flying directly through China, and will stay in a transit city for less than 24 hours without leaving the airport.

You can leave the airport in Shanghai for up to 48 hours in transit without a Visa if you are a citizen of Republic of Korea, United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxemburg, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Austria, Greece, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Iceland.

But this provision does not apply to Beijing.

http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/hzqz/zgqz/t84242.htm



You can leave the airport in Shanghai for up to 48 hours in transit without a Visa if you are a citizen of

But this provision does not apply to Beijing.


So, I don't need a visa provided I stay inside the airport, correct? It seems that I meet guideline #1: "Visas are not required of aliens who hold air tickets to the final destination and have booked seats on international airliners flying directly through China, and will stay in a transit city for less than 24 hours without leaving the airport. " The bigger question, however, is whether I can move from terminal to terminal. Continental flies into T2, but I hear that it's not particularly exciting--at least compared to T3. Am I allowed to go into T3 without a visa?


Thanks for your help!

So, I don't need a visa provided I stay inside the airport, correct? It seems that I meet guideline #1: "Visas are not required of aliens who hold air tickets to the final destination and have booked seats on international airliners flying directly through China, and will stay in a transit city for less than 24 hours without leaving the airport. " The bigger question, however, is whether I can move from terminal to terminal. Continental flies into T2, but I hear that it's not particularly exciting--at least compared to T3. Am I allowed to go into T3 without a visa?


Thanks for your help!

I don't think they would allow you to visit T3 if your flights don't leave from T3 (or arrive at T3). And without a visa, it means you can't leave the airport terminal. So, you won't be able to visit T3 (particularly departure area) since your KE flight does not leave from there (KE leaves from T2).

T3 is large and the architecture is impressive, but the heating system is terrible so the entire terminal is cold during winter. Also, smog and pollution enters the terminal so the air quality within T3 is just as bad as Beijing downtown. I don't know why this is... does anyone know?

T3 (especially the international departure area) is pretty much a deserted place. Perhaps it's during the time I have been at the airport (usually morning and afternoon hours), but the airport seems to be too big for current level of operation. Perhaps it may be better if they shift all T2 international operations to T3...:confused:

I don't think they would allow you to visit T3 if your flights don't leave from T3 (or arrive at T3). And without a visa, it means you can't leave the airport terminal. So, you won't be able to visit T3 (particularly departure area) since your KE flight does not leave from there (KE leaves from T2).

T3 is large and the architecture is impressive, but the heating system is terrible so the entire terminal is cold during winter. Also, smog and pollution enters the terminal so the air quality within T3 is just as bad as Beijing downtown. I don't know why this is... does anyone know?

T3 (especially the international departure area) is pretty much a deserted place. Perhaps it's during the time I have been at the airport (usually morning and afternoon hours), but the airport seems to be too big for current level of operation. Perhaps it may be better if they shift all T2 international operations to T3...:confused:


Well, then, heck, what is there to do for 7 hours in T2? Is there a lounge--perhaps with a shower--that I can use as a business-class passenger? There seems to be an indication on the KE website that KE shares a lounge with Air China. A shower facility is noted, but there's an "FR" afterwards. Please tell me that it doesn't mean that it's reserved only for first class passengers only. I mean, c'mon, I've just flown 14 hours and now have to sit for another 7 hours in an airport.

1) So, anyone know what the lounge is like? Am I allowed to use any other SkyTeam Lounges, if they even exist?

2) What is there to do for 7 hours in T2?

1) So, anyone know what the lounge is like? Am I allowed to use any other SkyTeam Lounges, if they even exist?

2) What is there to do for 7 hours in T2?

CA lounge in T2 is really nothing to write about. I think they have food (and hot food items) and snacks and it will be better than what UA RCCs offer in the US.

T2 is really boring (at least T3 has nice architecture to look at). I guess you should get a book out and read or write a journal. If you are arriving during the day time, it will be really worth-while to get a transit visit and visit PEK and the forbidden city (closes before 4PM). This can be done in five hours time.

If you are overnighting in PEK T2, I think there is a provision that you can go to a designated hotel for your overnight stay (I remember reading about this, but cannot provide you with details. Anyone know of specific details on this matter)?

On last option is to change your itinerary (call back and see if award space on the direct flight opened up). There are several ways to get to ICN from NYC on Skyteam:

Via KE gateway: other than JFK (IAH, ORD, LAX, SFO, IAD, YVR, YYZ, etc.). You can find CO/NW/DL award flight to these gateway and get your self straight to ICN.

Via NRT

Good luck!

CA lounge in T2 is really nothing to write about. I think they have food (and hot food items) and snacks and it will be better than what UA RCCs offer in the US.

T2 is really boring (at least T3 has nice architecture to look at). I guess you should get a book out and read or write a journal. If you are arriving during the day time, it will be really worth-while to get a transit visit and visit PEK and the forbidden city (closes before 4PM). This can be done in five hours time.

If you are overnighting in PEK T2, I think there is a provision that you can go to a designated hotel for your overnight stay (I remember reading about this, but cannot provide you with details. Anyone know of specific details on this matter)?

On last option is to change your itinerary (call back and see if award space on the direct flight opened up). There are several ways to get to ICN from NYC on Skyteam:

Via KE gateway: other than JFK (IAH, ORD, LAX, SFO, IAD, YVR, YYZ, etc.). You can find CO/NW/DL award flight to these gateway and get your self straight to ICN.

Via NRT

Good luck!


Hey Brahms77,

I arrive around 2:00 PM (barring any unforeseen circumstances) and then my flight from PEK to ICN leaves around 9:40 PM on the same day. I suspect that I could go into PEK, but I wonder whether it's worth it to leave the airport and go into PEK, especially since I don't speak Mandarin. Is getting a transit visa a hassle? Can I get it when I arrive, or must I visit the Chinese consulate PRIOR to flying out?

I'm actually connecting in EWR--it's not my point of origin.

Anyways, thanks for all the help! :)

Hey Brahms77,

I arrive around 2:00 PM (barring any unforeseen circumstances) and then my flight from PEK to ICN leaves around 9:40 PM on the same day. I suspect that I could go into PEK, but I wonder whether it's worth it to leave the airport and go into PEK, especially since I don't speak Mandarin. Is getting a transit visa a hassle? Can I get it when I arrive, or must I visit the Chinese consulate PRIOR to flying out?

I'm actually connecting in EWR--it's not my point of origin.

Anyways, thanks for all the help! :)

If your origin is not EWR, that's more so the reason to go for connections through KE gateways in the US. Otherwise, there should be several of these KE connections to ICN from PEK (or you could try to find PEK-PUS or PEK-TAE flights and travel to Seoul on a train from these two places).

Also, if you can find an economy class availability on earlier PEK-ICN, I would advise you to go for that as the flight's only 1 hour or so and the service is really nothing to write about. It's way better than having to wait 7 hours at a boring airport.

You need to get transit visa or any kind of Chinease via from the consulate or embassy BEFORE you travel. I don't think China allows visa on arrival.

If your origin is not EWR, that's more so the reason to go for connections through KE gateways in the US. Otherwise, there should be several of these KE connections to ICN from PEK (or you could try to find PEK-PUS or PEK-TAE flights and travel to Seoul on a train from these two places).

Also, if you can find an economy class availability on earlier PEK-ICN, I would advise you to go for that as the flight's only 1 hour or so and the service is really nothing to write about. It's way better than having to wait 7 hours at a boring airport.

You need to get transit visa or any kind of Chinease via from the consulate or embassy BEFORE you travel. I don't think China allows visa on arrival.


Do you recall whether CA Lounge in T2 has a shower that I'll be able to use? Many thanks!

Do you recall whether CA Lounge in T2 has a shower that I'll be able to use? Many thanks!

I am not sure as I didn't need shower back then... and did not inquire about it. I don't think even in the new CA lounge in T3 has showers... but someone can correct me on this.

Again, I would not want to be in T2 or T3 for 7 hours! So, you really should switch (find alternatives) your flights or get a visa. If you have some time before your departure, or have a chinese consulate near you, you can arrange your visa with some companies or via mail, I think. And you will have your Chinese visa within a week or so.

I am not sure as I didn't need shower back then... and did not inquire about it. I don't think even in the new CA lounge in T3 has showers... but someone can correct me on this.

Again, I would not want to be in T2 or T3 for 7 hours! So, you really should switch (find alternatives) your flights or get a visa. If you have some time before your departure, or have a chinese consulate near you, you can arrange your visa with some companies or via mail, I think. And you will have your Chinese visa within a week or so.

Thanks for the reply, Brahms77! This is my first time transiting in China, so I have just a few more quick questions, especially since you seem pretty knowledgeable about this:

1) Do you think I'll have enough time to head out of the airport see some quick sites? Though my flight lands at 2PM (supposedly), my connection leaves at 9:40 PM.

2) Will I have to pick up any checked luggage, or will it clear all the way through ICN?

3) How much time should I budget for returning to PEK? Is security a madhouse in PEK?


Thanks a lot once again! :)

Thanks for the reply, Brahms77! This is my first time transiting in China, so I have just a few more quick questions, especially since you seem pretty knowledgeable about this:

1) Do you think I'll have enough time to head out of the airport see some quick sites? Though my flight lands at 2PM (supposedly), my connection leaves at 9:40 PM.

2) Will I have to pick up any checked luggage, or will it clear all the way through ICN?

3) How much time should I budget for returning to PEK? Is security a madhouse in PEK?


Thanks a lot once again! :)

1) You should have enough time. There is a 'train' that serves PEK T2 and T3 to the city (takes about 20-25 minutes). Now this train does not get you to the heart of the city (say Tian'anmen Sq.), but once you get to the final stop of this airport express train, you can hop on another subway line (I think it was around 2-3 Yuan per ride) to get to Tian'anmen, which would take you around 20 minutes. So, on average, it will take you around 40 minutes from the airport to the city.

Since you arriving a bit too late to enter the forbidden city (it usually closes at 4PM), you won't be able to see the forbidden city (by the time your flight arrives, clear the immigration, take the express train and transit to Tian'anmen sq. - this is where the forbidden city is - it will be around 4PM).

But you can walk around the Tian'anmen squire - it's huge - and walk to the Qianmen Dajie (it's one of the two pedestrian only street in Beijing and was recently 're-furbished' with restored Qing style market street for the Olympics). This would take you around two to three hours. On Qianmen Dajie, there is the original Beijing duck restaurant.

Also, near Tian'anmen sq. (about 20 minute walking distance), you can find a shopping street called Wangfujing st. It has various interesting things to see... (do some search about Beijing online)'

All of these can be done in about four hours' time.

So, in summary:

* Arrive in PEK @ 2:00PM
* Clear customs by 2:40PM
* Hop on the airport express train @ 3:00PM
* Get to Tian'anmen sq. by 3:40PM/4:00PM
* Tian'anmen sq., Qianmen Dajie or Wangfujing for three/four hours.
* Leave Beijing city center by 7:40PM
* Arrive in PEK T2 by 8:40PM, and head for the gate

This schedule assumes that your bags are checked-thru to ICN and you have the boarding pass to ICN from PEK.

2) KE is part of SkyTeam so I would assume that your bags will be checked all the way to ICN. You do not need to pick-up at PEK

3) From my earlier experience when T3 was not operational (all airlines flew out of T2), the security was not that bad. It took about 20-30 minutes to clear the immigration (with some lines as there were about five different international flight arrived at the same time).

Since T2 has small number of airlines flying in and out, I would assume that the security and immigration won't be that bad. But again budget 1 hour after arrival and 1 hour before departure (i.e. if you arrive at 2PM, expect to be out of the terminal by 3PM and if your flight leaves at 9PM, be at the check-in or terminal by 8PM - if you have boarding passes, if not you should arrive at least 1:30 before your scheduled departure). The reason I recommend that you arrive early at PEK is that recently I was not allowed to check-in for a flight when I was only five minutes late for the check-in deadline, which is 60 minutes. I missed the flight and was forced to buy a new ticket (this was CA).

Nonetheless, you should have solid three full hours of sight-seeing to do in Beijing (excluding all the travel time in between). So, this is way better than spending 7 hours in T2. Plus, although it may cost you some $ for the visa, you would be able to say you have seen Tian'anmen sq. and been to Beijing. :D, ;)