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

check this out: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/archive/t-742591.html

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

I will be travelling with Air China for both trips.

Well, that improves your odds, but success could possibly hinge on whether or not you're able to check in as an international passenger in Shanghai (i.e. fill out customs declaration for your luggage; you'd still need to clear exit procedures in Beijing as well). A simple phone call to CA should clear up the confusion.