Transfer at Shanghai Pudong

Question

I am a British national and I'll be flying from London to Tokyo via Shanghai Pudong soon. Both flights are Air China, with a transit time of approx 3 hours at Pudong.

Is there any paperwork that I need to carry with me to show officials there other than flight to Tokyo booking?

Will I have to collect my luggage and check in for my Shanghai-Tokyo flight, or will it go through to Tokyo, as it is the final destination on my itinerary?

Thanks in advance.

Answer

Since you are a British passport holder transiting through Shanghai Pudong International Airport on a single itinerary with Air China, your transfer should be relatively straightforward, but there are a few points to note.

Documents and paperwork:

You should carry your passport, boarding passes for both flights (London–Shanghai and Shanghai–Tokyo), and any necessary travel documents for your final destination (Japan visa if required for your nationality).
It is advisable to have proof of onward travel and flight tickets handy in case airport staff or airline staff request to see them.
Since you are staying airside and not entering China, you generally do not need a Chinese visa.

Luggage transfer and check-in:

As both flights are with Air China and part of the same booking, your luggage is normally checked through to Tokyo. You should confirm this at your departure airport in London when you check in.
There is typically no need to collect your luggage in Shanghai if it is through-checked. You can proceed directly to the transfer or connecting flights area.
If you have separate tickets or airlines, or if you book your connecting flight separately, you may need to collect your luggage and re-check it, but that does not apply in your case.

Other practical advice:

Follow the transfer signs in Shanghai Pudong and stay within the international transfer area. Do not pass through immigration unless you plan to leave the airport.
Allow enough time for transfer; a 3-hour connection is usually sufficient for international flights at Pudong, provided there are no delays.
Check your boarding gate in advance, as gates can sometimes change.

In summary, for a British national with a single through-ticket on Air China, you do not need additional paperwork beyond your passport and boarding passes, and your luggage should be checked through to Tokyo. Just follow the signs for international transfers at Pudong and you should have a smooth connection.

Transfer at Shanghai Pudong

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