Our return flight from Chengdu to Xiamen was departing at 3:15PM. We got to the airport plenty early, at 12:30PM, given that we were traveling over a national holiday and expected the airport would be chaotic. Chengdu Airport has an impressive exterior.
Chengdu Airport exterior
As is the norm in China, to even enter the terminal we had to have our belongings swabbed for explosives. With this system, they have you walk into a “holding pen,” swab the bags of everyone in it, and after conducting the test they let everyone go.
Chengdu Airport security check
The check-in hall was massive, and reminded me a lot of Beijing Airport.
Chengdu Airport check-in hall
Just inside the entrance were the Lucky Air ticketing counters — I guess I still need to fly with them. 😉
No Lucky Air for us!
We couldn’t easily find the Xiamen Air check-in counter, though we saw a board that listed the airline check-in areas by name. I recognized Xiamen Air’s logo and code (MF), but oddly the airline was listed as SkyAir rather than Xiamen Air. Hmmm.
Chengdu Airport airline check-in counters
We eventually found a check-in counter for Xiamen Air with a long line, though there was no business class queue. When we asked about that, we were directed to the far left of the terminal, where we were told premium check-in was located. The airport has an impressive separate first & business class check-in facility that’s shared between airlines.
Chengdu Airport premium check-in
Chengdu Airport premium check-in
In addition to some sofas, each check-in counter also has seats, so that you don’t have to stand while your check-in is being processed. While only one counter was open, we were helped immediately.
Chengdu Airport premium check-in
Chengdu Airport premium check-in
The guy checking us in was competent, and added our Delta SkyMiles numbers to the reservation in no time (which I was expecting might be an issue, since he was a contract worker for many airlines). He also issued us invitations to the first class lounge.
Chengdu Airport lounge invitation
The security checkpoint was to the left of the check-in desks, and as we first approached we saw long lines, and were expecting the process would be chaotic.
Chengdu Airport check-in hall
Chengdu Airport security lines
So we were very pleasantly surprised when at the very left of the area we saw a separate first class line, where there was only a short queue. That probably saved us 30 minutes.
Chengdu Airport security
Security was thorough but efficient, and then we found ourselves in the airside area with signs pointing in the direction of gates. The Chengdu Airport airside is massive, even though the entire area was dedicated to the domestic terminal. Seriously, this was a huge space, and it must have been a 20 minute walk (at a fast pace) to go from one end of the terminal to the other. We turned right, and followed the signage in the direction of our departure gate.
Chengdu Airport airside terminal
Chengdu Airport airside terminal
The airport has many lounges. For example, here are the lounges that just belong to Priority Pass. If you have a credit card with lounge access, you certainly won’t be bored here!
We kept walking, and eventually we stumbled upon a generic First Class Lounge by gate 128, which we ended up entering. All the “First Class Lounges” are operated by the airport, so you can use any lounge (the exception are the lounges operated directly by airlines, though they have different signage).
Chengdu Airport first class lounge exterior
This particular lounge was only open from 10:30AM until 8PM, which sure seems to me like limited hours.
Chengdu Airport first class lounge hours
Upon presenting our boarding passes and invitations we were welcomed in.
Chengdu Airport first class lounge check-in desk
The lounge was reasonably decent — it had lots of natural light and good views of the apron, and wasn’t overcrowded.
Chengdu Airport first class lounge view
I’ll let the pictures speak mostly for themselves.
Chengdu Airport first class lounge seating
Chengdu Airport first class lounge seating
Chengdu Airport first class lounge seating
Chengdu Airport first class lounge seating
Chengdu Airport first class lounge seating
On each table was a decorative plastic bowl of sorts, and at first I was confused about what we were supposed to do with it. But then I observed others, and it appeared as if you’re supposed to put the plastic wrappings of all the packaged snacks in it. The lounge only had packaged snacks, and people seemed to be enjoying them by the handful.
Chengdu Airport first class lounge snack wrapper plates
The food & drink selection was inside the entrance and to the right.
Chengdu Airport first class lounge food & drink selection
Chengdu Airport first class lounge food & drink selection
In terms of the drink selection, there were room temperature cans of Sprite and Coke, some sort of drinks in cartons, a fridge with water, soda, and juice, and a coffee machine.
Chengdu Airport first class lounge drink selection
Chengdu Airport first class lounge drink selection
Chengdu Airport first class lounge drink selection
Chengdu Airport first class lounge coffee machine
I’m not sure what most of the snacks were, but below are some pictures of them.
Chengdu Airport first class lounge snacks
Chengdu Airport first class lounge snacks
Chengdu Airport first class lounge snacks
Chengdu Airport first class lounge snacks
Chengdu Airport first class lounge snacks
Chengdu Airport first class lounge snacks
Chengdu Airport first class lounge snacks
Chengdu Airport first class lounge snacks
Chengdu Airport first class lounge snacks
I couldn’t help but try one of the “mini lemon sandwich biscuits.” For some reason the concept looked somewhat familiar, I’m not sure why. 😉
Chengdu Airport first class lounge snacks
After spending some time in the lounge connected to the Wi-Fi, we eventually decided to walk around a bit and explore the rest of the terminal. When we came across another generic “first class lounge” we decided to stop in and see how it compared. We presented our Priority Pass cards since we figured our invitation only got us into one lounge, but when they saw we were in Xiamen Air business class they invited us in without needing to use Priority Pass.
This lounge had an identical food & beverage selection, but wasn’t quite as nice and bright.
Chengdu Airport first class lounge
Chengdu Airport first class lounge
Our flight was scheduled to board at 2:45PM, so at around 2:30PM we headed to our departure gate, 139.
Chengdu Airport terminal
The gate area was fairly quiet, and 2:45PM passed without any sort of an announce. Finally at 2:50PM an announcement was made that the flight was delayed by 20 minutes. There wasn’t an announcement in English (understandably), though after the announcement was made, the gate agent saw the confusion on our faces, and said to us “20 minute.”
Chengdu Airport departure gate
Our plane was there, so I figured it was some sort of an air traffic control delay.
Chengdu Airport departure gate
As we waited I noticed that the departure screen had a picture of United’s 767 business class product. Does anyone know what it says under the picture?
United’s business class?!
Sure enough, at exactly 3:10PM boarding started, with business class being invited to board first.
Chengdu Airport departure gate
Civil Trip, Polite Plane!
Chengdu Airport lounge bottom line
Chengdu Airport was easy to use, and I appreciated the dedicated first & business class check-in area and security line. Ultimately the airport run lounges are mediocre and don’t compare to Xiamen Air’s lounge at their hub, but they were still fine. I wouldn’t arrive earlier than you have to, but it’s not a bad airport at which to kill time.
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