Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport (SZX) Lounge Report
Apr 20, 2017, 9:57 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2015
Programs: TK Elite
Posts: 10
Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport (SZX) Lounge Report
I'm writing this because I realized there's no post with pictures of the *A lounge at the international section of Shenzhen Bao'An International Airport.
The first question anyone might ask is "Why would you ever find yourself at the international section of Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport?" Well, that's because you'll save a minimum of 2 hours if you're travelling north of the airport, compared to HKG, and up to 4-5 hours if it's rush hour. This is, of course, if there are no delays, which is unlikely, but does happen from time to time, in China.
First, note that you cannot use Shenzhen Airlines Premium Check-in "lounge" for international flights, despite the lack of signs (this is likely because it connects directly with domestic security). You need to use the business/gold counter at the normal international check-in.
Get your boarding pass and go down the escalator for quarantine, customs, immigration and security screening. Pray that there's no tour groups in front of you. Turn left immediately after security. The lounge is called King Lounge, but is run by Shenzhen Airlines.
Upon entering you will be greeted by 8 female attendants that will thoroughly check your boarding pass, let you in after saying "Xie Xie" a few times, then most likely ask you for your boarding pass again, as they inevitably scanned it wrong.
You are now greeted by a unmistakably Chinese, but pretty OK looking lounge. There are no windows. Amenities include lockers, iMacs, massage chairs, TVs showing CCTV13 and a collection of Chinese magazines no one has ever touched, proudly displayed.
At this point, you will most likely be alone, except for two ajis, two waitresses, two lounge attendants, a cook and an extremely bored looking barista. Some of these may be attractive, which makes the experience slightly less awkward. None of these people appears to be doing anything. A lounge attendant will then tell you that you're not allowed to take pictures, even though you made sure not to take pictures of any of the employees, which is why this post doesn't have more pictures.
There's wifi, but it's too slow to connect your VPN, so you'll either be using bing or decide it's not worth the bother. This would be a good point to tether off your phone.
One way to entertain yourself is to have a look at the food. There's an area that could host a buffet, but I've never seen it in use. On my last visit it only contained a dish of plain congee, which I doubt any of you would want. They also make noodles to order, and despite the presentation, they're rather good. There's also various confectioneries, but I doubt anyone has ever tried these.
The drinks selection consists of tea, water and soft drinks. The barista also makes coffee to order, but I doubt anyone has ever ordered any before. Alcoholic beverages are limited to domestic beer, Hennessy, Remy Martin as well as a domestic and french red wine. If you like white wine, or any other spirits, you should have stayed in Hong Kong.
By the time you've had your noodles and cognac, and written this post, you might be joined by another guest or two. Why the lounge is empty will become a mystery as you realize there's 4 international flights in the next 2 hours, including 2 UA code shares, until you remember that the international part of the airport is mostly used by tour groups.
At this point you might try their French red wine, and realize it's not as bad as you thought. Maybe you should try their various cakes too? You will however be interrupted by the attractive lounge attendant again, insisting you go to your gate, which just started boarding, although it's less than 5 minutes away. If your flight is departing from gate 10+, do leave 15 min before final boarding time, as it's further away than it seems.
The first question anyone might ask is "Why would you ever find yourself at the international section of Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport?" Well, that's because you'll save a minimum of 2 hours if you're travelling north of the airport, compared to HKG, and up to 4-5 hours if it's rush hour. This is, of course, if there are no delays, which is unlikely, but does happen from time to time, in China.
First, note that you cannot use Shenzhen Airlines Premium Check-in "lounge" for international flights, despite the lack of signs (this is likely because it connects directly with domestic security). You need to use the business/gold counter at the normal international check-in.
Get your boarding pass and go down the escalator for quarantine, customs, immigration and security screening. Pray that there's no tour groups in front of you. Turn left immediately after security. The lounge is called King Lounge, but is run by Shenzhen Airlines.
Upon entering you will be greeted by 8 female attendants that will thoroughly check your boarding pass, let you in after saying "Xie Xie" a few times, then most likely ask you for your boarding pass again, as they inevitably scanned it wrong.
You are now greeted by a unmistakably Chinese, but pretty OK looking lounge. There are no windows. Amenities include lockers, iMacs, massage chairs, TVs showing CCTV13 and a collection of Chinese magazines no one has ever touched, proudly displayed.
At this point, you will most likely be alone, except for two ajis, two waitresses, two lounge attendants, a cook and an extremely bored looking barista. Some of these may be attractive, which makes the experience slightly less awkward. None of these people appears to be doing anything. A lounge attendant will then tell you that you're not allowed to take pictures, even though you made sure not to take pictures of any of the employees, which is why this post doesn't have more pictures.
There's wifi, but it's too slow to connect your VPN, so you'll either be using bing or decide it's not worth the bother. This would be a good point to tether off your phone.
One way to entertain yourself is to have a look at the food. There's an area that could host a buffet, but I've never seen it in use. On my last visit it only contained a dish of plain congee, which I doubt any of you would want. They also make noodles to order, and despite the presentation, they're rather good. There's also various confectioneries, but I doubt anyone has ever tried these.
The drinks selection consists of tea, water and soft drinks. The barista also makes coffee to order, but I doubt anyone has ever ordered any before. Alcoholic beverages are limited to domestic beer, Hennessy, Remy Martin as well as a domestic and french red wine. If you like white wine, or any other spirits, you should have stayed in Hong Kong.
By the time you've had your noodles and cognac, and written this post, you might be joined by another guest or two. Why the lounge is empty will become a mystery as you realize there's 4 international flights in the next 2 hours, including 2 UA code shares, until you remember that the international part of the airport is mostly used by tour groups.
At this point you might try their French red wine, and realize it's not as bad as you thought. Maybe you should try their various cakes too? You will however be interrupted by the attractive lounge attendant again, insisting you go to your gate, which just started boarding, although it's less than 5 minutes away. If your flight is departing from gate 10+, do leave 15 min before final boarding time, as it's further away than it seems.
Last edited by monn; Apr 20, 2017 at 10:05 am
Apr 24, 2017, 3:52 am
#2
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: NRT / HND
Programs: AA EXP, NH Plat, Former UA 1K
Posts: 5,643
I'm actually surprised it's always so empty, Shenzhen Airlines operates a fair number of regional international flights now, though not sure if they are the same time as yours. I'd assume the UA codeshares are to Japan?
I haven't done it yet, but have been tempted to try them to HKG due to them sometimes being half of what ANA charges from Tokyo, also they are almost always available for a C class redemption (TYO-SZX) and China is North Asia where UA charges more mileage for redemption to HKG (South Asia). I have traveled into SZX on OZ a few times in the past, but never departed there, always departed HKG or CAN.
I haven't done it yet, but have been tempted to try them to HKG due to them sometimes being half of what ANA charges from Tokyo, also they are almost always available for a C class redemption (TYO-SZX) and China is North Asia where UA charges more mileage for redemption to HKG (South Asia). I have traveled into SZX on OZ a few times in the past, but never departed there, always departed HKG or CAN.
Apr 24, 2017, 7:20 pm
#4
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Heraklion, Greece
Posts: 7,564
Apr 24, 2017, 10:14 pm
#5
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: NRT / HND
Programs: AA EXP, NH Plat, Former UA 1K
Posts: 5,643
If your passport requires a visa for China, then yes you'd need a visa. It does not qualify for TWOV. Also of note, the land border entry to Hong Kong does not count toward the 3 entries one can use to obtain a Hong Kong e-Channel sticker through the frequent visitor scheme.
Apr 25, 2017, 12:48 pm
#7
Join Date: Mar 2007
Programs: UA MP, NW WP, AA
Posts: 717
Thanks OP for a great report.
The most efficient way to go to Hong Kong from SZX if by bus. The trip takes 45-60 minutes depending on traffic and how busy the border crossing is. There are buses that stationed right at the airport. No advance reservation required, one can buy the bus tickets once you arrive.
The most efficient way to go to Hong Kong from SZX if by bus. The trip takes 45-60 minutes depending on traffic and how busy the border crossing is. There are buses that stationed right at the airport. No advance reservation required, one can buy the bus tickets once you arrive.
Apr 25, 2017, 6:53 pm
#10
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Heraklion, Greece
Posts: 7,564
Apr 26, 2017, 1:10 am
#11
Join Date: Feb 2012
Programs: TK M&S, BAEC, EK
Posts: 257
Thank you very much, Monn, for your review.
It's interesting that the international lounge doesn't appear to be as good as the domestic one, which has a more comprehensive dining area and food selection for a start.
There is also a section with electronic massage chairs.
It's interesting that the international lounge doesn't appear to be as good as the domestic one, which has a more comprehensive dining area and food selection for a start.
There is also a section with electronic massage chairs.
Apr 27, 2017, 10:10 am
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2015
Programs: TK Elite
Posts: 10
Great that someone enjoyed my review. My VPN wouldn't connect properly even on 4G, so I didn't have much else to do.
I'd love to write more lounge reviews, but most of the *A lounges I visit are pretty good and have a lot more guests, so it's much more difficult to write about them in the same manner. Anyway, I thought this would be helpful for other travelers visiting SZX.
I would have taken more pictures if I wasn't stopped by the staff. There was literally no other guests there when I arrived and I made sure to take pictures in angles that didn't include the little staff that was there when I first arrived.
Yeah, the domestic lounge and check-in area is much nicer. I don't know why this lounge is so bad, but I guess it's because there's only 11 international gates and there were 4 other guests in total visiting the lounge during the duration of my stay. I've been alone in there for hours before.
To anyone that thinks about using SZX for cheaper or more redeemable flights into HK: SZX is 1.5 hours from Central (HK) minimum and you can easily spend 2-3 hours just getting down to the HK border depending on time of day and week. I ONLY use SZX if I'm squeezed for time and need to fit in more meetings in Asia than I'm comfortable with in a short amount of time. Delays are frequent and there's not much chance of rebooking at SZX, so I avoid it unless it's the only way I can make my meeting schedule work.
HKG is my favorite airport and has great *A lounges (SQ is great, but windowless and UA has great showers) and immigration is a breeze if you have e-channel. In town check in with the Airport Express is great too and has lead to some full days at HKG just lounge hopping and catching up on work.
I'd love to write more lounge reviews, but most of the *A lounges I visit are pretty good and have a lot more guests, so it's much more difficult to write about them in the same manner. Anyway, I thought this would be helpful for other travelers visiting SZX.
I would have taken more pictures if I wasn't stopped by the staff. There was literally no other guests there when I arrived and I made sure to take pictures in angles that didn't include the little staff that was there when I first arrived.
Yeah, the domestic lounge and check-in area is much nicer. I don't know why this lounge is so bad, but I guess it's because there's only 11 international gates and there were 4 other guests in total visiting the lounge during the duration of my stay. I've been alone in there for hours before.
To anyone that thinks about using SZX for cheaper or more redeemable flights into HK: SZX is 1.5 hours from Central (HK) minimum and you can easily spend 2-3 hours just getting down to the HK border depending on time of day and week. I ONLY use SZX if I'm squeezed for time and need to fit in more meetings in Asia than I'm comfortable with in a short amount of time. Delays are frequent and there's not much chance of rebooking at SZX, so I avoid it unless it's the only way I can make my meeting schedule work.
HKG is my favorite airport and has great *A lounges (SQ is great, but windowless and UA has great showers) and immigration is a breeze if you have e-channel. In town check in with the Airport Express is great too and has lead to some full days at HKG just lounge hopping and catching up on work.
Apr 27, 2017, 12:42 pm
#13
Join Date: Sep 2005
Programs: AC MM E50 , Former SPG, now Marriott LT Plat
Posts: 6,251
I transferred at SZX only once, doing a SIN-SZX-SHA connection in 2015.
I don't remember the lounge itself, but I do remember being impressed by
ZH's ground handling. In J class, I was escorted from the baggage pick-up to
the check-in counter to re-check my bag, and then through security and to the lounge.
I don't remember the lounge itself, but I do remember being impressed by
ZH's ground handling. In J class, I was escorted from the baggage pick-up to
the check-in counter to re-check my bag, and then through security and to the lounge.
May 6, 2017, 9:36 am
#14
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: SEA
Programs: A3*G, AC, IHG Plat AMB
Posts: 1,604
The barista also makes coffee to order, but I doubt anyone has ever ordered any before.
Great report, though! Spot on.
Edit: oh wait, international. Well at least the domestic lounge is pretty close in quality (although a bit bigger)