Beijing Airport What to do

[moa999]

Thanks Cruiser Elite, for a recently constructed lounge that looks so... Chinese (or bad 70s decor)

 

[Ansett]

Cruiser

Excellent insight and report we will head to the lounge upon arrival we appreciate your effort and hope to bump into you at some stage we will buy you a beer or two

Cheers

 

[anat0l]

Thanks Cruiser Elite.

I have a five hour transit or so (coming off a LX F flight transferring to a NZ J flight) in PEK. I won't have a visa so I'll be stuck airside. Probably most of my time will be spent in the lounge. I'm sure there's got to be a way to take a few, ahem... "covert", shots inside the lounge...

 

[dajop]

Thanks Cruiser Elite.

I have a five hour transit or so (coming off a LX F flight transferring to a NZ J flight) in PEK. I won't have a visa so I'll be stuck airside. Probably most of my time will be spent in the lounge. I'm sure there's got to be a way to take a few, ahem... "covert", shots inside the lounge...

You will have to spend the time at the CA lounge (go for the First Class one, as it is also labelled as star gold, although not that there's much of a difference between that and the J lounge). Above mentioned BGS lounge is a contracted lounge so IIRC not available for general star alliance pax (SQ only, or for OW JL & S7 only). CA lounge has decent food at meal times but very sparse outside meal times. Good noodles IIRC. Shower was a challenge though, although I managed to get a towel and eventually someone to open the shower, I can't say it was the best shower I've ever had. To echo Cruiser Elite's general sentiments, it is very Chinese.

Can find images of both lounges using google image search, BGS decor is Chinese themed, but actually quite OK, (much much better than lounge pics above and better than CA lounges) - some tasteful glass display cabinets with chinese pottery, a large fishtank and generally acceptable features and food that I suspect dictated by the departing airline (eg some Singapore specialities available when SQ departing).

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Oh one more update on PEK - those eternally intellectually challenged Beijing Airport Authorities have reintroduced the ban on serving of alcohol pre take off - yep no more glass of champers before you push back.

Was reintroduced a week or 2 back - was previously in force 2010 or so but then relaxed - oh and BTW only in force at PEK - not the case at PVG, CAN or SZN - welcome to China guys.

 

[dajop]

- oh and BTW only in force at PEK - not the case at PVG, CAN or SZN - welcome to China guys.

Gotta laugh, but is that really any different to any other rule? Isn't the level of strictness of rules/laws, level of enforcement and level of compliance all inversely proportional to the distance from Beijing?

 

[anat0l]

You will have to spend the time at the CA lounge (go for the First Class one, as it is also labelled as star gold, although not that there's much of a difference between that and the J lounge). Above mentioned BGS lounge is a contracted lounge so IIRC not available for general star alliance pax (SQ only, or for OW JL & S7 only). CA lounge has decent food at meal times but very sparse outside meal times. Good noodles IIRC. Shower was a challenge though, although I managed to get a towel and eventually someone to open the shower, I can't say it was the best shower I've ever had. To echo Cruiser Elite's general sentiments, it is very Chinese.

Thanks dajop.

As it stands, I won't have any *G status. My flight inbound is F but my outbound is J, so from strict rules I'll only be able to use lounges that allow *A J passengers (not just *G).

If it is quiet and comfy with free wifi that should help things.

Not sure what a "very Chinese" shower is. If you're talking about a large basin with a bucket scoop, or a hand-held shower with a small stool to the side, then maybe that's something. Hot water would also be nice....and water which won't kill you if you accidentally swallow some....as long as it is a shower with decent pressure (not English countryside pressure), I can even BYO accessories. Main thing is after that flight from ZRH I could use a freshen up. The challenge seems to be getting a shower, period.....

 

[Wezza]

Thanks for the photos! I have an 8 hour layover on my way to Moscow on the 14th of April & 9 hours on the way back. Think I will try to get a room at the transit hotel.