Originally Posted by
alawrencenyc
This run is in the past but an important thing to note is that you DO NOT need a visa if you are flying in to Shanghai or Beijing and DO NOT leave the airport. Another words, on a turnaround you are not leaving the international area of the airport and no visa is required. However, you may not even find a place to smoke (if that is a desire) without leaving the international area, so be careful.
Just to confirm, I did this in November 2015 on a run, LGA-DFW-PEK r/t with no problem in LGA and no questions or problems in PEK.
While you managed to complete this run, it is technically not permitted under PRC regulations.
While it is very easy to transit PEK, even without a printed boarding pass, it is technically not permitted.
The potential issues will be on the ground in the U.S. where AA representatives will not want to issue a boarding pass. They may only do so if you can prove transit to a third country or have a visa, as this is what TIMATIC will tell them is required.
So yes, you don't need a visa, but there is a chance you won't be allowed to board because your ticket doesn't meet the requirements for TWOV. Just because you managed to pull it off doesn't mean others will be able to do so.
I would advise to simply route this flight through Tokyo or Seoul, which often can be done at the same rate as the normal routing. This fulfills the requirements for PRC TWOV.