SFO-CTU then CTU-SIN Do we have to change terminals at CTU
Jan 1, 2019, 10:41 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2008
Programs: Continental, Northwest, Delta, United, KAL
Posts: 3
SFO-CTU then CTU-SIN Do we have to change terminals at CTU
As senior travelers, we find that we enjoy a trip more if we have a pretty good idea of what we will have to deal with in airports that are new to us. We arrive Chengdu CTU at 6 a.m. on a Wednesday on a United flight from SFO. We depart for Singapore SIN at 9:55 a.m. on a Star Alliance Air China flight. We would like to know if we must leave the international terminal for any reason before boarding our flight to Singapore. We plan on having our luggage checked through from SFO to SIN. If we are able to stay in the same terminal for arrival and departure, do we have to pass through security again? Also, is food available in the international terminal or do we have to leave and return through security to obtain a meal? Finally, Air China has told us that we cannot get a seat assignment in advance. They will be assigned at check-in for the Singapore flight. Does this mean we must go to the main ticket counter? Or can we simply hang out near the departure gate? Thank you for any information you can provide.
Jan 2, 2019, 2:42 am
#2
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: EDI
Programs: Flying Blue PFL; IHG Rewards Club Diamond; HHonors Silver
Posts: 423
It is worth verifying that you can check your luggage through to SIN. There are some occasions when this is possible especially if you use the same airline on the same booking, but it by no means certain otherwise. If you cannot check your luggage through then you will have to go through Chinese immigration, collect your bags and re-check them. This will mean having a visa, or TWOV if Chengdu offer this. I've not done an INT-INT transfer through Chengdu but I have done through Guangzhou and it was pretty painless. However, that was with China Southern (both flights, same booking) and Guangzhou is their home airport.
Jan 6, 2019, 7:34 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2008
Programs: Continental, Northwest, Delta, United, KAL
Posts: 3
Thank you. It is certainly worth trying! We will post here upon our return as to our success in checking through to SIN. I decided to ask United via email to see what they would say and one reply said no and a second reply said yes, provided I have the onward tickets. So we'll see.
Jan 6, 2019, 11:35 am
#5
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,033
It is worth verifying that you can check your luggage through to SIN. There are some occasions when this is possible especially if you use the same airline on the same booking, but it by no means certain otherwise. If you cannot check your luggage through then you will have to go through Chinese immigration, collect your bags and re-check them. This will mean having a visa, or TWOV if Chengdu offer this. I've not done an INT-INT transfer through Chengdu but I have done through Guangzhou and it was pretty painless. However, that was with China Southern (both flights, same booking) and Guangzhou is their home airport.
Jan 7, 2019, 6:33 am
#6
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: SHA，CPH
Programs: SAS EuroBonus Gold, Qatar Privilege Club Gold
Posts: 235
You don't need to change terminal since UA9 will land in T1 and all international flights for CA depart from T1. Actually I think all international flights depart from T1 in CTU