This had to be one of the most dysfunctional ground experiences I’ve ever had. I’m not sure how much blame goes to Sichuan Airlines rather than just the airport and the unique status of the flight, but they need to figure something out, because this is just embarrassing.
My flight from Chengdu to Los Angeles was departing at 7:20PM. Sichuan’s A330s can’t fly nonstop to Los Angeles, so my flight stopped in Jinan — passengers can book the flight just from Chengdu to Jinan, or just from Jinan to Los Angeles.
I arrived at Chengdu Airport at around 4PM, plenty early for my 7:20PM departure. I arrive at the airport earlier than most since I want to review the experience, but generally I tend to think it’s safe to assume that airline check-in opens at least 3.5 hours before departure.
Chengdu Airport check-in hall
Once in the check-in hall I managed to find the Sichuan Airlines check-in counter. This was surprisingly tough, as there was a lack of signage, and the person at the information desk didn’t speak any English. Eventually I found a premium Sichuan Airlines check-in area — great.
When they looked up my itinerary they told me because I was traveling to Los Angeles I had to check-in at counters 1-7.
Sichuan Airlines check-in Chengdu Airport
So I headed to the far right of the terminal, where I found those counters, only they weren’t open.
Sichuan Airlines check-in Chengdu Airport
Sichuan Airlines check-in Chengdu Airport
Upon closer inspection, it became evident that check-in only opened at 5:20PM. That’s just two hours before departure, which seems awfully late to open check-in for what’s ostensibly an international flight.
Sichuan Airlines LAX check-in Chengdu Airport
Since I was so early, I had a seat in the check-in hall for nearly 90 minutes. Ugh. Sure enough, right at 5:20PM the check-in counters opened.
Sichuan Airlines check-in Chengdu Airport
Sichuan Airlines check-in Chengdu Airport
Within about five minutes, I had my boarding pass all the way to Los Angeles in hand and was given a sticker to wear that said “International” on it. I asked what lounge I had access to, and the staff member said “it’s at the gate, you will see.” Hmm…
Sichuan Airlines international transit sticker
I headed in the direction of gate 16, and on the way had a great view of the ramp, including a couple of Sichuan A330s and a Thai 777.
Sichuan Airlines A330 Chengdu Airport
Thai Airways 777 Chengdu Airport
Sichuan Airlines A330 Chengdu Airport
There were document checks just past the check-in desk.
Chengdu Airport security entrance
Just past that counter and to the left I saw a sign for gate 16, which listed a series of flight numbers, including my flight to Los Angeles. As it turns out, this flight leaves from a “sterile” gate, so you don’t even have access to the rest of the airport when taking this flight. This caused quite a bit of confusion with the other passengers, as some of them wanted to go shopping, get food, etc.
Chengdu Airport security line
Not only did check-in only open two hours before departure, but then the security check for the gate wasn’t even open. Fortunately it opened within about 10 minutes.
Chengdu Airport security check
After clearing security I had to go down a set of stairs.
Stairs to gate area Chengdu Airport
Then I found myself in the departure gate area.
Chengdu Airport departure gate
Chengdu Airport departure gate
In the far right corner was a sign that said “First Class Lounge.” Yep, this was apparently the lounge I had access to.
Chengdu Airport Lounge entrance
Chengdu Airport Lounge reception desk
In addition to the reception desk, the lounge had a grand total of 13 seats. Hmmm….
Chengdu Airport Lounge seating
Chengdu Airport Lounge seating
In terms of the food & drink selection, there were soft drinks and soda, as well as ramen noodles and some packaged snacks (the selection was identical to the other lounges I had visited at Chengdu Airport a few weeks prior).
Chengdu Airport Lounge food & drink selection
Chengdu Airport Lounge snack selection
Chengdu Airport Lounge snack selection
Chengdu Airport Lounge snack selection
Chengdu Airport Lounge snack selection
Chengdu Airport Lounge snack selection
Chengdu Airport Lounge drink selection
Chengdu Airport Lounge buffet
Chengdu Airport Lounge buffet
Back near the entrance were some magazines and newspapers.
Chengdu Airport Lounge magazines & newspapers
There was only one slight problem — the plane had 36 business class seats, while the lounge had 13 seats. So pretty quickly all the seats were taken, at which point the lounge attendant starting setting up folding chairs as more passengers arrived. Unbelievable.
Overcrowded Sichuan Airlines lounge
I went out into the gate area about 30 minutes after I arrived and it was already packed, and only filled up even more as departure time approached.
Sichuan Airlines departure gate
Fortunately Wi-Fi worked in the lounge, which was the only redeeming quality of it. The lounge didn’t have its own bathrooms, but rather they were back near the stairs in the gate area.
Boarding was scheduled for 6:40PM, and sure enough, at exactly that time boarding began. There were no calls for priority boarding, but rather it was a free for all. There was a separate bus with seats for business class passengers, which sounds like it would be nice, except it had about double as many passengers as seats, and nowhere to stand. On top of that, it took 15 minutes for the bus to leave, as we waited for every business class passenger.
Bus to plane Chengdu Airport
After a further 10 minute ride we arrived at our plane. The plane wasn’t actually at a remote stand, but rather was at a gate at a different terminal. I’m not sure if this whole experience was because they boarded those traveling just to Jinan from that gate, and those traveling to Los Angeles from the sterile gate, or what. Regardless, it was an annoying system. We then had to take the stairs up to the jet bridge, and could then board the plane.
Bus to plane Chengdu Airport
Chengdu Airport lounge bottom line
I suspect this setup isn’t directly Sichuan Airlines’ fault, and that there’s some weird technicality that causes them to need to depart from gate 16. However, the current experience is a mess. So while not everything is within their control, I think they need to do a better job of communicating with passengers that check-in only opens two hours out and they won’t have access to the rest of the terminal when taking this flight. They could also use more seats in the lounge, and an extra business class bus to the plane. Basically, this was a far cry from the best airport lounges in the world.
Talk about a not-great start to a not-great flight.
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