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How easy to connect in Shanghai?

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Old Aug 13, 2009 | 10:23 pm
  #1  
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How easy to connect in Shanghai?

I'm looking at an award ticket that would involve a connection in in Shanghai from a Cathay or Dragonair flight HKG-PVG onto an American PVG-ORD flight.

How easy/difficult is this? Do I need a visa of any sort?

Thanks,
Greg
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Old Aug 13, 2009 | 10:35 pm
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check this out: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/archive/t-742591.html
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Old Aug 14, 2009 | 2:30 am
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Cathay and Dragonair are T2, American Airlines T1. So, physically it involves going through Chinese immigration in T2 and emigration in T1.

As for interlining and luggage please consult the local Cathay office. But be prepared to pick up your luggage and check-in again in the other terminal.
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Old Aug 14, 2009 | 9:04 am
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Originally Posted by GregL
I'm looking at an award ticket that would involve a connection in in Shanghai from a Cathay or Dragonair flight HKG-PVG onto an American PVG-ORD flight.
Is JL an option for you?
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Old Aug 15, 2009 | 8:17 pm
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Originally Posted by moondog
Is JL an option for you?
It is, but the flight timings and class availability make the PVG option one which has its advantages.

I guess the questions I have now are:

1) What is the Minimum Connect Time between Cathay or DragonAir to AA in Shanghai?

2) Are there are visas or other documentation required?

Greg
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Old Aug 16, 2009 | 4:14 am
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HKG - PVG is prone to delays because of airspace restrictions, so I would plan in at least a five hour layover considering all the other hassles. Preferably stay overnight and get a transit/single entry visa for China.

PVG is generally not a convenient airport for transfers at all.
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Old Aug 16, 2009 | 7:51 am
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At least with five hours, if you are close to ontime, you can take a roundtrip on the maglev!
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Old Aug 16, 2009 | 8:39 pm
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Originally Posted by RichardInSF
At least with five hours, if you are close to ontime, you can take a roundtrip on the maglev!
Unfortunately, it appears that while not requiring a visa to transit China, you are unable to leave the airport. Otherwise, it's a great idea!

Greg
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Old Aug 16, 2009 | 9:43 pm
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Originally Posted by GregL
Unfortunately, it appears that while not requiring a visa to transit China, you are unable to leave the airport. Otherwise, it's a great idea!

Greg
tmk, it's impossible to connect between terminals without actually entering "China". Furthermore, assuming you're American, you'll get up to 48 hours without a visa.
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Old Aug 17, 2009 | 8:46 am
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Originally Posted by mosburger
Cathay and Dragonair are T2, American Airlines T1.
Uh, did they just switch terminals? Couple weeks ago mostly Domestic was T1 and Internationals T2. I have a picture of the departure level dropoff sign at T2 station 24-25 and it has among others NWA, Delta and American Airlines listed. It also lists "International Hong Kong-Macau-Taiwan Entry". I also met an arrving pax from Hong Kong (not sure which airline) and it was T2.
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Old Aug 17, 2009 | 9:05 am
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Originally Posted by Flaflyer
Uh, did they just switch terminals? Couple weeks ago mostly Domestic was T1 and Internationals T2. I have a picture of the departure level dropoff sign at T2 station 24-25 and it has among others NWA, Delta and American Airlines listed. It also lists "International Hong Kong-Macau-Taiwan Entry". I also met an arrving pax from Hong Kong (not sure which airline) and it was T2.
AA apparently has switched to T2 in late March this year.

http://www.reuters.com/article/press...09+PRN20090310

Sorry for the misinformation. I last used PVG less than two weeks ago but did not have time to check airline locations much.

http://www.americanairlines.cn/aa/in...haiAirport.jsp

Of the OW airlines, at least JAL still uses T1 for all flights to and from Japan. T1 is not a domestic terminal more than T2 by any means.
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Old Aug 17, 2009 | 1:38 pm
  #12  
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With AA's terminal move, doing a connection in PVG is significantly better than before the move. Also, AA now can access the CX lounge. While certainly nowhere near the quality of the Wing or the Pier, it is 1,000 times better than the garage AA used to use for a lounge. I have even found the immigration moves faster in the new terminal than the old. Just my personal experience.
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Old Aug 19, 2009 | 11:02 pm
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I will travel from Shanghai to Beijing T3 for an international flight. Do I need to pick up my luggages and then check-in again, or will the luggages be transferred to the other flight?
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Old Aug 20, 2009 | 12:39 am
  #14  
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Originally Posted by peter236
I will travel from Shanghai to Beijing T3 for an international flight. Do I need to pick up my luggages and then check-in again, or will the luggages be transferred to the other flight?
Depends on the airline(s) involved.
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Old Aug 20, 2009 | 12:51 am
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Originally Posted by moondog
Depends on the airline(s) involved.
I will be travelling with Air China for both trips.
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