Hi FT,
I've recently been booked on a China Eastern Flight from;
DXB-KMG-PVG (MU 756), connecting to; PVG-KIX (MU 747)

Will I have to clear customs in KMG and re-check in for my flight to PVG (even on the same flight number)? What is the process here? I have a 90min layover in KMG and another 90min in PVG, will this be enough time?

Kindest Regards.

ps. How are the MU lounges in KMG/PVG?

Customs, probably not, but border control, for sure (in both KMG and PVG). You have nothing to worry about in KMG, assuming it is the same plane onward to Shanghai (i.e. they won't leave without you), and 90 minutes is pretty save at PVG. The lounges are pathetic in both airports.

Thanks for the quick reply! I'm assuming it's the same plane - I hope that's what a same flight number implies in China, and not how it is in the USA (where two segments can have the same flight number, but there's a plane change involved!).

So I take it I clear passport control in KMG; board my KMG-PVG flight (which is treated as a domestic flight); and clear passport control again in PVG.

Thanks once again!

I wouldn't jump to the conclusion that it is the same plane--it may or may not be, but you will have to deplane regardless. Complicating your question is that KMG is a new airport facility, and we don't have a lot of data points yet on the exact process by which they are handling the international transit with double-stop with new KMG as first landing point.

I would expect that Customs won't be an issue and that your luggage will be checked through at least to PVG, but you need to ask at DXB as to what happens and watch how they tag. You can ask if they will tag all the way to KIX but due to PVG's airport policies, you may have to do some manual claim/recheck there. Be prepared for anything but you should have enough time. The wildest of the wild cards is whether timing of the KMG-PVG leg will hew to the schedule or be delayed on your day of travel, nothing you can do about that.

The passport situation should be simpler. Likely you'll get some sort of transit stamp at KMG incoming Immigration which will then be examined again at PVG Exit Immigration along with your onward itinerary/boarding pass. MU may have procedures for a staff member to collect you and other intl transit passengers on the jetway or incoming gate and escort you to where you need to be at KMG for onward. So you'd be on a domestic flight but as sort of international passengers "in custody." You may be boarded at a different time (usually earlier) or from a different route than the domestic-only stream of passengers. Just have all your paperwork ready (passport, onward itinerary/boarding passes), arrival/departure card you get on incoming plane filled out for "international transit." Stay alert and follow the program. On your flight there's bound to be some other international transit passengers going at least DXB-PVG then onward to other intl destinations.

Thanks for the heads up! I searched on the MU Timetable - and both legs of MU 756 are operated by the 763, which I guess is a good start - but nothing definitive haha.

I'll also take it if I miss my connection in PVG (hoping this doesn't happen), I'll be covered as its booked under one itinerary - sorry for the long winded questions - I'm more used to flying more simple routes!

I happened to be on flight 756 from DXB to PVG last month. The procedure at the time was immigration at KMG (no need to pick up checked bags at KMG), and continuing onto PVG as a domestic passenger.

Oh and it was the same plane (on that occasion one belonging to Shanghai Airlines).

My fellow travellers (no checked bags though) were connecting to SYD on another MU flight and once we landed in PVG they were able to leave the airport and come back later in the day per usual. They had transit stamps so the 24-hour rule applies.

Excellent info! You're the first who's posted about new KMG on point.

Just to reiterate an important timing issue: 24 hours for the total transit as described, from scheduled arrival in KMG to scheduled departure from PVG.
NOT 24 KMG + 24 PVG = 48. NOT 24 KMG + 48 PVG = 72 for those with passports normally allowing 48 hours at PVG/SHA.

Awesome, thanks for the feedback - glad to hear that its operated by the same aircraft - at least I'll know I'll make it to PVG!!

Just thought I'd update on the transfer situation at KMG;

Originally booked DXB-KMG-PVG on 756 and PVG-KIX on 747; the flight left DXB 2 hours late; getting into KMG 1 hour late. Transfer at KMG couldn't have been easier. Our plane arrived at gate 64(?) and that was a immigration-equipped gate; meaning that those who had to transfer in KMG had their own immigration facility manned by two officers at the gate itself (excellent planning).

The officers were extremely efficient; and once you passed through immigration; you then proceeded through security and back to the holding area. The whole process would've taken 30 minutes tops. Unfortunately I thought we would've made up some time; but a couple of Chinese citizens turned into baggage claim in KMG instead of the gate-immigration (they were connecting to PVG) - so our 30min layover turned into 1 hour.

This meant that I would be cutting it real close with my connecting flight in PVG. Upon arrival in PVG; I, along with two Japanese businessmen (in J) were quickly escorted off the plane and onto a private bus (for J passengers - I was in Y) and straight to baggage claim. Unfortunately, I would have made my KIX flight, but they said that my bags wouldn't (and I needed them in to be in KIX for a meeting). This meant that I would have to be rebooked onto the last flight to KIX (dep. 17xx, arr 2130). However, I had to be in TYO that night to meet up with another colleague; and given that I missed my flight to KIX and my meeting - there was no way I would've made the last train from Osaka-Tokyo; given that the last flight gets in to KIX at 2130.

I kindly asked the MU agent whether I could be rebooked onto the last NRT flight (271); and she was more than happy to re-book me free of charge! I thought this was extremely generous of them.

Now that I had my ticket sorted out; all I had to do was wait to pick up my bag from DXB and check it in again to NRT. Once that was done; all I had to do was head straight to the lounge and wait. Overall, MU handled the situation outstandingly; and they took care of the Japanese businessmen and myself extremely well. Well done MU!!

**The flight to NRT was 1.30hr late; and I just made it onto the last train (Airport limited express)! It was a pretty stressful day!!

Just to update this for anyone else who might be connecting in KMG, I had an international to domestic connection in KMG all on MU.
My luggage was checked through to final destination.
On disembarking at KMG, a MU representative was holding a sign marked " TRANSFER", and handed out forms for cell phone contact
information in case there was any problem with Customs.
Then through immigration and through domestic security, into a fairly decent lounge; and my luggage was delivered at final destination
without my touching it again. Easy Peasy.