PVG Transit
 

Am flying CX from HKG-PVG to connect to AA flight to LAX.

1. Is the transit without going thru customs operational? or do I still have to go thru customs, check-in and go thru security again? [I'm UK passport holder]

2. Can CX check the baggage thru to LAX?

Thanks in advance.

Things have been improving wrt #1 during the course of the past several years, but it's still hit or miss.

For #2, probably "yes", but again you can't be certain about things like this in China.

Transitting PVG
 

My CX reward flight HNL-HKG on MU requires transitting PVG for a layover of 4 hours. Do I require to go thru customs and/or immigration with my luggage? thanks

In this case, absolutely yes because there is no airside connection between the two terminals.

Last I tried this, the answer to (2) is no, which makes (1) moot. Most airlines cannot check bags through at PVG. You must collect them, clear customs, and re-check the bag with a new tag.

CX cannot interline bags through PRC - Really?

Connections ORD-PVG-HKG

It is a trouble for international-international connection in many "international airports" in mainland China, especially if there is a change in terminal (PVG, PEK). The concept of airside transfer simply does not exist.

Together with the air traffic volume control issue, it is definitely a joke that they are aiming to be the international hub for air travel.

In fact, the airside transfer issue also applied to all the so-called "international airports" in US. :P

True, US international-international connections are complicated also, and there's incentive to avoid them. But PVG takes it one step further by restricting baggage tagging. In the US, you must clear customs and immigration and go landside, but at least you can have your bag tagged to the final destination. In most cases you can simply drop bags at the transfer desk beyond customs.

At PVG, your bag can't even be tagged beyond PVG. So you must carry your bags to the departure hall, check in anew, and receive new tags. If there's a line, or the counter isn't open, this is even more of a pain.

This isn't always the case.

Last July I flew from NRT to SYD thru PVG. I had to go thru immigration, collect my luggage, walk thru the tunnel in between the 2 terminals, check in and go thru immigration... Weird as I didn't have any Visa... And had to cancel my stay in Shanghai because they refused to issue a Visa in less than 4 days in HK the week before!

By way of an update, based on what I've just experienced, I'm never going to transit thru PVG again.

1. Arrive into PVG and despite telling the immigration officer I'm merely transiting (and showing onward e-ticket info) they kept asking about my "china home return permit card" (coz my other half uses HK passport)...then held in immigration for 20 mins whilst they do checks...then they come back and ask for my flight info....then another 10 mins wait before I'm cleared.

2. Check-in at AA counter and for some reason, the counter agent asks for the home return permit...have no idea why...

3. Arrive into LAX and had my worst ever immigration experience at T4 - lines not long but every passenger seemed to take 10-15 mins to clear...got my luggage and then basically every passenger on the flight was subjected to "secondary screening" which involved putting all your baggage thru the scanner and them usually picking out one or two bags for them to open up and go thru whilst constantly asking (and expecting) if you had fruit/meat/vegetables/commercial items. So for basically a half empty flight, it took almost 2 hours from exiting plane to clearing immigration and customs. What was most annoying was the attitude of the customs officers in assuming I must be attempting to smuggle food or items for resale. Not sure if this is due to the flight being from PVG or whether this is recent to US customs.

May I ask how long did you schedule your connection at PVG? I have an exact same trip coming up but have not booked the HKG -PVG ticket yet. Would like to take the 2:25 hour connection. Wonder is it enough time?
We are US passport holders and likely have a tourist visa too. Not sure it matters but we are flying during the Chinese New Year Holiday. Thanks!

Any recent experience with a HKG-PVG-LAX connection (CX to AA)? Still necessary to go thru immigration and pick up the luggage in PVG?

I just did 4 transits through PVG two months ago. I can't speak to the luggage issue, but if you have no luggage, it is pretty easy. CX (and KA/AA) have a transit desk in the concourse that can handle issuing BP's and lounge invites. This desk was open 3 of the 4 times I transited (the other time I had to go through immigration). From there, you get funneled to outbound security and are good to go.

So, if you can manage to travel without checked baggage, it's pretty easy. If not, I apologize as I've probably added nothing useful to you... :)

Eric

Many years ago when my company dumped me on MU (urgh) from JFK to CTU via PVG, our bags were tagged to CTU, but we were told we needed to pick up the bags, take it to transfer desk, and drop it off there. But the problem is when we got to PVG the transfer desk is empty and with a bunch of people crowded around it with luggage waiting for the person to come back. One hour passed, two hours passed... nobody. Asking airport staff and the best answer is "I don't know". Finally just do it the hard way and re-check-in, which ended up to be easier anyway.

I really hope an airport like PVG is much better at this nowadays...

Depends on airlines/terminal
 

Both CX and AA fly out of terminal 2, which generally does not have international-international transfer facilities (The exception is between Swiss, Virgin, Lufthansa, and Air New Zealand). Thus, you need to go through immigration, claim bags, and then go upstairs to check in, go through passport control, etc. I just did this with an Air China (CA) to Dragonair (KA) connection.

If you're flying out of Terminal 1, transit facilities do exist and you do not have to reclaim bags, etc. I most recently did this 2 years ago on China Eastern (MU) and only had to stop by a transit desk (and possibly security, don't remember).

Details from the PVG airport website here