tmac100

If anyone has flown QR 895 and accessed any lounge in PEK, which lounge was it?
QR says the Air China lounge is open "all day", but then when I go to thedetails it shows open times as 6:00 to 21:00.
Am I out of luck for lounge access?

moondog

I'm guessing they'll redirect you to the CX lounge if the CA lounge is closed, but if I were in your shoes, I'd plan on optimizing your airport arrival time so you don't need to lounge (this is easy to do late at night because traffic is light).

tmac100

Thanks. Yes, the CX lounge will open at 00:30 so I can have a nice tea or ? before the QR flight.

moondog

You can't have a nice "anything" at the lounges. Eat some good food before you head out to the airport, don't allot too much airport time, and only visit the lounge if your flight is delayed (I doubt it will be). Honestly, I enjoy KFC more than both the CA and CX lounges...and, don't make me lament about Kenny Roger's Roasters (finest dining in the history of PEK)

tmac100

I beg to differ. It is "nice" to sit down in a padded chair away from the whole lot of folks frequenting fast food joints, pubs, etc. Usually quieter - except for the occasional screaming child. Mind you, it may be different at PEK but since I have never been at that airport I would assume they would have some offerings of Chinese foods - which to me is certainly "nicer" than any Chinese copy of USA-style fast food. Healthier too, I'll bet. Probably sime "nice" tea as compared to Lipton's Yellow tea bags.

Don't squash my optimism I will try to scribble a report after I go through the CX lounge experience on the morning of the 21st. KFC and Kenny Rodgers? Surely you jest - I might as well eat a bag of chicken from a 4 year old MRE in some foreign battlefield.

moondog

I've been flying out of there for 24 years now (obviously before T3 was built). It is far better to avail yourself of a padded chair in a restaurant in Sanlitun or Lido than T3 (I can even offer you some more interesting options if your wife/gf permits). Bottom line is that sitting in a somewhat more comfortable chair, and drinking a bad G&T is not a smart way to spend time. We only use lounges when our flights are delayed. I hope this is clear to all.

ft101

"Free" drink is always a good way to spend time.

moondog

Not when you can pay for a drink in a nicer place, if the price is reasonable, which is definitely the case in Beijing.

tmac100

One part of my education was remembering the statement: "Define your terms before you use them".
I apologize to all readers for not defining my term "nice" in submission #3 .
Obviously we seem to have different definitions/interpretations of that adjective, and so life continues. I will still try the CA lounge in PEK and see what it has on offer at opening (00:30) on the morning of the 21st. A "report" will follow once I return to work in Doha.

swingaling

Timely thread for me, as I'm flying QR895 in a couple weeks. The lounge situation at PEK T3 is pretty dismal. The CA lounges are dire and really not worth spending any time. The CX lounge is nicer, but the food is extremely basic. Easily the worst CX lounge I've been to. You're far better off hitting a restaurant in the terminal if you need to kill time.

What would you suggest in terms of optimal timing? I'll be at the Grand Hyatt near Wangfujing. Departing on QR895 at 1:50AM on a Thursday in mid April. Check-in counters probably close around T-75 to T-60. So get a taxi to depart Hyatt around 11:30PM?

moondog

Yes, this time makes perfect sense to me (i.e. not so early that you'll end up wasting too much time at PEK, but definitely will get you there in time for your flight without any stress).

tmac100

Now that everyone has expressed opinion on the CA lounge at PEK, I need some info on the duty free store(s).

Is Seven Star brand of cigarettes available at duty-free? Is there a duty-free available on arrival from overseas, or just on departure?

Thanks for any info. I was "told/asked" to buy some 7* cigarettes for gifts...