Our flight from Beijing to Chicago was originally scheduled to depart at 10:10AM, though the night before I already noticed that the flight would be delayed by several hours.
That’s because the Chicago to Beijing flight was delayed by over 16 hours. The plane usually sits overnight in Beijing, but in this case would be turning right around, and still be about 3.5 hours late.
So we arrived at Beijing Airport’s Terminal 3 at around 11AM for our 1:40PM departure. Beijing Capital Airport’s Terminal 3 is architecturally stunning. It’s possibly the most stunning terminal in the world.
Beijing Airport Terminal 3 check-in hall
It’s also huge, so once in the center of the check-in area we checked the departure monitor to see where American check-in was located. American check-in is located at aisle “B,” which is at the far end of the terminal to the right.
Beijing Airport Terminal 3 check-in hall
Beijing Airport Terminal 3 check-in hall
Interestingly American has very limited physical signage at check-in. Instead they just have screens which display the airline name and class of service each check-in desk is for. They had two priority queues.
Beijing Airport American Airlines check-in Terminal 3
Much to my surprise check-in was completely deserted. The agents working the desk were all contract workers from Air China so their English wasn’t great, though they explained that most passengers didn’t know about the delay, so had been at the airport for hours.
Beijing Airport American Airlines check-in Terminal 3
To indicate the delay they had a simple printed piece of paper hanging off the desk with the new departure time.
Beijing Airport American Airlines check-in delay notice Terminal 3
Check-in was efficient, and within a minute we were issued boarding passes and lounge invitations. American uses the Dragonair and Cathay Pacific Lounge for their premium passengers. If you’re not traveling in a premium cabin, there are plenty of Priority Pass options available in Beijing, if you hold a credit card with lounge access benefits.
From the check-in desk we walked towards the back of the terminal and then turned left, following the signage for all departure gates.
Beijing Airport Terminal 3 walk to security checkpoint
There was an initial “checkpoint” for scanning boarding passes, and then the train takes you to both the international and domestic piers. International flights leave from the “E” pier, which is the second stop of the train.
Beijing Airport Terminal 3 walk to security checkpoint
Beijing Airport Terminal 3 train system
The train ride was super long, which really shows how massive this airport is (and also explains why taxiing at this airport can sometimes take eons).
Beijing Airport Terminal 3 train system
Upon exiting the train there was an immigration checkpoint. The queues were quite short, and we were through in a couple of minutes.
The security lines, on the other hand, were painfully long. A friend had told me that there’s apparently a hidden premium queue. While there’s no obvious signage for it, at the very left of the security checkpoint is a queue for first & business class passengers. It’s past the handicapped queue, so you wouldn’t know it’s there unless you specifically looked for it. While the other queues were super long, there was no one in this line. Awesome!
The architecture is equally stunning in the international terminal, with super high ceilings. While the furnishings as such are a bit sterile and limited, you can’t deny the impressive architecture. Which is about the only redeeming quality of the airport.
Beijing Airport Terminal 3 international departures
Beijing Airport Terminal 3 international departures
The Cathay Pacific and Dragonair Lounge is located near gate E21, so once off the train you turn left. From there it’s about a three minute walk.
Beijing Airport Terminal 3 international departures
There are both stairs and an elevator leading up to the lounge, which is located one level above the concourse.
Stairs to Cathay Pacific Lounge Beijing Airport Terminal 3
At reception I handed over my boarding pass and lounge invitation, and was promptly admitted. I was also given a code for the Wi-Fi.
Cathay Pacific Lounge entrance Beijing Airport Terminal 3
The lounge — much like the terminal itself — feels sterile but functional. It’s basically a long rectangle, with several partitions to add a sense of privacy.
Cathay Pacific Lounge seating Beijing Airport Terminal 3
Cathay Pacific Lounge seating Beijing Airport Terminal 3
The lounge “thins” out towards the back right, and then there’s a slightly more private seating area in the back right behind a door, which I think most people never even notice.
Cathay Pacific Lounge seating Beijing Airport Terminal 3
Cathay Pacific Lounge seating Beijing Airport Terminal 3
Cathay Pacific Lounge seating Beijing Airport Terminal 3
Dragonair Lounge seating Beijing Airport Terminal 3
There’s a business center in the lounge featuring about a dozen PCs, and “real” office chairs.
Dragonair Lounge business center Beijing Airport Terminal 3
In terms of the food and drink spread, there was one small buffet on the right side of the lounge.
Dragonair Lounge seating Beijing Airport Terminal 3
It featured instant noodles, packaged snacks, soda, water, juice, hard liquor, and some wine.
Dragonair Lounge buffet Beijing Airport Terminal 3
Dragonair Lounge buffet Beijing Airport Terminal 3
Dragonair Lounge liquor selection Beijing Airport Terminal 3
Dragonair Lounge drink selection Beijing Airport Terminal 3
Then at the far left of the lounge was a (somewhat) more substantial buffet, which consisted of a couple kinds of soup, dim sum, croissants, and three hot dishes (none of which looked especially appetizing).
Dragonair Lounge food selection Beijing Airport Terminal 3
Dragonair Lounge food selection Beijing Airport Terminal 3
Dragonair Lounge food selection Beijing Airport Terminal 3
Dragonair Lounge food selection Beijing Airport Terminal 3
There was also a coffee machine, as well as a larger selection of wine, liquor, and soft drinks.
Dragonair Lounge coffee machine selection Beijing Airport Terminal 3
Dragonair Lounge liquor selection Beijing Airport Terminal 3
Dragonair Lounge buffet Beijing Airport Terminal 3
Dragonair Lounge juice machine Beijing Airport Terminal 3
Dragonair Lounge drink selection Beijing Airport Terminal 3
I have three other thoughts on the lounge.
First of all, I couldn’t get the Wi-Fi to work. It was the slowest Wi-Fi I’ve ever experienced, so was completely useless. Even our pre-paid SIM card was faster.
Second, not only does this lounge not have showers, but it has absolutely gross bathrooms. There was a bathroom attendant, though the single sink in the entire bathroom didn’t work, and the toilets were in gross condition.
Lastly, this lounge must have the most obnoxious boarding calls I’ve ever heard. Rather than announcing over the PA that a flight is departing, an agent walks through the lounge SCREAMING the flight’s departure at the top of her lungs with a small sign. Over and over and over and over. In both English and Mandarin.
“DRAGONAIR 901 TO HONG KONG IS NOW BOARDING. DRAGONAIR 901 TO HONG KONG IS NOW BOARDING.”
*30 second pause as she walks to the other side of the lounge*
“DRAGONAIR 901 TO HONG KONG IS NOW BOARDING. DRAGONAIR 901 TO HONG KONG IS NOW BOARDING.”
*30 second pause as she walks back to the other side of the lounge*
“DRAGONAIR 901 TO HONG KONG IS NOW BOARDING. DRAGONAIR 901 TO HONG KONG IS NOW BOARDING.”
*30 second pause as she walks back to the other side of the lounge*
“DRAGONAIR 901 TO HONG KONG IS NOW BOARDING. DRAGONAIR 901 TO HONG KONG IS NOW BOARDING.”
*30 second pause as she walks back to the other side of the lounge*
“DRAGONAIR 901 TO HONG KONG IS NOW BOARDING. DRAGONAIR 901 TO HONG KONG IS NOW BOARDING.”
*30 second pause as she walks back to the other side of the lounge*
“DRAGONAIR 901 TO HONG KONG IS NOW BOARDING. DRAGONAIR 901 TO HONG KONG IS NOW BOARDING.”
*30 second pause as she walks back to the other side of the lounge*
“DRAGONAIR 901 TO HONG KONG IS NOW BOARDING. DRAGONAIR 901 TO HONG KONG IS NOW BOARDING.”
It took a lot of resistance to not approach her and say “excuse me ma’am, I’m on Dragonair 901. When does that flight board?”
Anyway, at around 12:55PM we headed down to the departure gate, E21.
American Airlines departure gate E21 Beijing Airport
Within about five minutes boarding was called, though the gate area was packed, as everyone immediately lined up.
American Airlines departure gate E21 Beijing Airport
We headed down the jet bridge onto the American 777, though there was another security check, given that this is a US bound flight. Every passenger’s bags were searched again, though in the most basic way imaginable. They’d basically open the bag, feel around for two seconds, and close it back up. Sure makes me feel safer.
American 777-200 Beijing Airport
They were using just one jet bridge to board the plane, though that didn’t stop two people from opening the door to the other jet bridge and walking all the way to the end of it, only to realize it went nowhere. At least these were glass jet bridges, so it made good entertainment for those us in the other jet bridge.
American 777-200 Beijing Airport
American 777-200 Beijing Airport
Cathay Pacific and Dragonair Lounge Beijing Airport bottom line
The Beijing Airport experience was much smoother than I was expecting. Immigration and security were quick, and Beijing Airport has beautiful architecture. That being said, other than that I’d cut it as tight as possible when arriving for a flight, especially given the Wi-Fi challenges. That being said, that can be tough to do, given how unpredictable Beijing traffic can be.
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