Shanghai's Airport: A Gateway To China's Prosperity

Shanghai, China, is served by two international airports: Pudong and Hongqiao. Located about 30 kilometres (19 miles) east of the city centre, Pudong Airport is one of the busiest international hubs in China, serving 54,476,397 passengers in 2023. The airport has two terminals and four runways, with a third terminal under construction. It is the main hub for China Eastern Airlines and Shanghai Airlines, and a major hub for Air China. Hongqiao Airport, on the other hand, is located 13 kilometres (8 miles) from the city centre and primarily serves domestic and regional flights in East Asia.

Shanghai Pudong International Airport

Shanghai has two international airports, with Shanghai Pudong International Airport (IATA: PVG, ICAO: ZSPD) being one of them. Located about 30 km (19 mi) east of the city centre, Pudong Airport occupies a 40-square-kilometre (10,000-acre) site adjacent to the coastline in eastern Pudong. The airport is operated by the Shanghai Airport Authority and is the main hub for China Eastern Airlines and Shanghai Airlines. It is also a major international hub for Air China and a secondary hub for China Southern Airlines.

Pudong Airport serves both international flights and a smaller number of domestic flights. The airport is a fast-growing hub for both passenger and cargo traffic. In 2024, it handled 3,440,084 metric tons of cargo, making it the world's third-busiest airport by cargo traffic. In 2023, it served a total of 54,476,397 passengers, making it the second-busiest airport in China, the sixth-busiest in Asia, and the twenty-first-busiest in the world. It is also the busiest international gateway in mainland China, with 35.25 million international passengers.

The airport has been expanding since its opening in 1999. It currently has two main passenger terminals, flanked by four operational parallel runways. A third passenger terminal, a satellite terminal, and two additional runways are in the works, which will increase its annual capacity from 60 million passengers to 80 million, along with the ability to handle six million tons of freight. The new satellite terminal, which opened in 2019, is the world's largest stand-alone satellite terminal building.

Pudong Airport is connected to Shanghai Hongqiao Airport, the city's other major airport, by the Shanghai Maglev Train and the Shanghai Metro Line 2. The Shanghai Maglev Train is the world's first commercial high-speed maglev railway, reaching speeds of up to 431 km/h (268 mph). It takes around eight minutes to travel the 30 km (19 mi) from Longyang Road Metro Station in the city centre to Pudong International Airport. There are also airport buses connecting Pudong Airport with the rest of the city.

Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport

The airport is primarily a domestic airport, with the exception of flights to and from central Tokyo's Haneda Airport, central Seoul's Gimpo International Airport, central Taipei Songshan Airport, Hong Kong International Airport, and Macau's Macau International Airport. It is the corporate headquarters and a major hub for China Eastern Airlines, Shanghai Airlines, and Juneyao Air, as well as a major hub for Spring Airlines.

The airport has two terminals and two runways. Terminal 1 serves both domestic and international flights, while Terminal 2 is dedicated to domestic flights. In 2010, the airport completed a five-year expansion project, which included a second runway and Terminal 2, increasing its capacity to 40 million passengers a year.

Ground transportation options at the airport include buses, taxis, shuttles, the metro, long-distance coaches, and trains. The airport is directly connected to the Shanghai Hongqiao railway station, a major train hub served by several high-speed rail lines.

Transport links to the city centre

Shanghai has a range of transport options for travelling from Pudong Airport to the city centre. Here is a list of the most popular methods:

Maglev Train

The Maglev train is the fastest way to get from Shanghai airport to the city centre. This train is one of the fastest in the world, reaching speeds of up to 300 km/h. The journey from the airport to Longyang Road Station takes just under 10 minutes, and from there, you can take metro lines 2 and 7 to the city centre. A single trip costs 50 yuan, and a round trip is 80 yuan. The service operates from 7 am until 9:40 pm, and tickets can be booked online or bought directly at the station.

Metro

The metro is a very cheap option, costing around 7 yuan. The airport metro line is number 2, and it passes through central stops such as People's Square and Nanjing Road. The journey to the city centre takes about an hour. The metro station is located between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.

Bus

There are multiple bus lines that cover the city's main areas, with Line 1 going to Hongqiao Airport/Hongqiao Railway Station and Line 4 going to Shanghai Railway Station. The bus is the slowest option, with the journey to the city centre taking up to 1 hour and 30 minutes. The cost is between 20 and 28 yuan, depending on the final stop.

Taxi

A taxi is the most comfortable method to get from Shanghai airport to the city centre, as you won't have to make any transfers or wait for the metro. However, it is also the most expensive option, costing between 120 and 200 yuan. The ride to the centre takes about 45 minutes with little traffic.

Private Transfer

The most premium but also the most expensive way to get from the airport to the city centre is by hiring a private transfer. The driver will wait for you at the airport exit with a sign and take you directly to your hotel. These services must be booked in advance online and cost between €12 and €20 per passenger.

Airport amenities and services

Shanghai has two major international airports: Shanghai Pudong International Airport and Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport. Both airports offer a range of amenities and services to enhance the travel experience for passengers.

Shanghai Pudong International Airport

Shanghai Pudong International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world, renowned for its modern amenities and efficient services. The airport boasts an extensive array of shopping and dining options, luxurious lounges, cultural displays, art installations, baby care corners, and convenient transportation links, including the Maglev train.

Dining and Shopping

PVG offers a wide range of dining options, from gourmet food in the China Eastern VIP Lounge in Terminal 1 to the noodle bar in the Cathay Pacific Lounge in Terminal 2. For authentic Chinese cuisine, passengers can visit Ding Tai Fung and Old Shanghai Restaurant in Terminal 1, where they can savour dishes like xiaolongbao (soup dumplings), braised pork belly, and Shanghai noodles.

For shopping, PVG hosts ultra-luxury brands such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Chanel. Passengers can also find Chinese tea, silk scarves, and traditional handicrafts at Shanghai Tang and China Duty-Free (CDF).

Relaxation and Entertainment

PVG offers a variety of options for passengers seeking relaxation or entertainment during their layover. The Dragonfly Therapeutic Retreat, located in both terminals, provides massages, facials, and reflexology services. The Green Massage, also available in both terminals, specialises in full-body massages and aromatherapy.

For families travelling with children, both terminals feature children's play areas with toys and activities, as well as baby care facilities such as changing tables and feeding chairs.

Additionally, PVG boasts the world's first airport IMAX theatre and a VR Zone for entertainment during extended layovers.

Business Services

Catering to business travellers, PVG offers fully equipped business centres in both terminals. These centres include meeting rooms, workstations, printing, and fax services, along with high-speed internet access, charging stations, and conference call facilities.

Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport

Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, located 13 kilometres from downtown Shanghai, is the seventh busiest airport in China and the 43rd busiest in the world. It serves as a major hub for several airlines and offers various amenities and services for passenger convenience.

Dining and Shopping

Hongqiao Airport offers a variety of dining and shopping options for passengers. While specific details about restaurants and shops are not readily available, the airport provides a range of choices to meet travellers' needs.

Relaxation and Entertainment

Hongqiao Airport features an indoor garden with lush greenery, flowers, and calming water settings. This serene space, located in both terminals, provides a peaceful retreat for travellers seeking relaxation or a moment of quiet amidst the airport chaos.

Business Services

Hongqiao Airport is the corporate headquarters of China Eastern Airlines, Shanghai Airlines, and Juneyao Air, indicating the presence of business facilities and services within the airport. However, specific details about these services are not readily available.

History of Shanghai's airports

Shanghai, China, is served by two international airports: Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport and Shanghai Pudong International Airport.

Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport

The history of Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport dates back to 1921 when construction began. The airport opened for mixed civilian use in May 1923. During the Second Sino-Japanese War, the airport was occupied by the Japanese and used as an air force base. In 1964, the original Terminal 1 and the control tower opened to the public, and the airport entered its international era. In 1978, it became one of the busiest airports in China, alongside Beijing-Capital, due to increasing passenger demand. During its international era, Hongqiao Airport had only one 3,400-metre runway, and its Terminal 1 was the main terminal. In the 1990s, many foreign airlines began serving the airport, including All Nippon Airways, Lufthansa, Air France, and Korean Air, among others.

In 2002, the airport entered its domestic era, mainly offering domestic flights within China, with the exception of a few cities. In 2010, Hongqiao Airport completed a five-year expansion project, which included a second runway and a new Terminal 2, increasing its capacity to 40 million passengers annually. In 2013, visa-free transit was introduced for holders of valid passports from 45 countries. In 2020, international flights were suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, resuming in 2023.

Shanghai Pudong International Airport

Shanghai's other primary airport, Shanghai Pudong International Airport, was established to meet the growing demand for air travel in the city. Construction of the airport began in October 1997 and was completed on 16 September 1999. The airport officially opened on 1 October 1999, with one runway and two parallel taxiways. A second runway was added in 2005, and a second terminal and third runway began operations in 2008.

Since its opening, Pudong International Airport has undergone multiple expansion phases to accommodate increasing passenger and cargo traffic. In 2019, a satellite terminal was opened, and construction of a third terminal began in 2021. Pudong Airport is now one of the busiest airports in the world, serving over 54 million passengers in 2023. It is a major hub for several airlines, including China Eastern Airlines, Shanghai Airlines, and Air China.

Frequently asked questions