This is my first summer of working in BJ, & most weeks i am flying on domestic flights in china. I hate the plane delays due to the summer storms.. So since i usually fly to provincial capitol cities in China from BJ the airline with the most flights is CA, or Air China i take the first am flight.

So, how early should you get to T3 in BJ for the first flight of the day. Actually the domestic T3 is more efficient than Int. on T3.

Huhhot- 630 am departure, Security opens just before 6, and the CA boarding pass lines are open earlier, the plat star * counter is only staffed by 1 person before 6. The air china lounge does not serve breakfast till 630, but the cappuccino machine works great at 6am.

Hangzhou- 755 am departure, ideal time as one can even take the airport express subway line (from line 10). get a boarding pass from several different star * counters, about 5-10 minutes to clear security, & then have a simple breakfast in the Air China lounge. You can sit above security & watch the 7 am morning security rush wave of travelers. its kinda of fun watching the security screens on the computers & the wand pat downs...
I think the security line efficiency happens due to no shoes are required to be taken off.

CZ or China southern is in T2, but partner Delta.dum does not allow lounge access for Dulta elites on domestic flights. bummer, as i do like the CZ w fares to & from Zhengzhou.