<p>My D is flying into Beijing from he U.S., and I am looking for a domestic flight to get her to Shanghai. All I can find is one that is 1 hour 50 minutes later. So she arrives in Beijing at 1:45 p.m. and the domestic flights are 3:35 p.m. and 7:20 p.m. Is it a risk to have that little time? Just bite the bullet and go for the 5.5 hour layover?</p>
<p>I have minimal experience with this, having only flown into Shanghai and only once. But, we just walked off the plane, walked through a rapidly moving line, showed our visas and off we went. We could have easily made a 2 hour layover. It may be different in Beijing.</p>
<p>PM alumother. She pratically lives there.</p>
<p>Thanks Simba, I know that. Hoping she pops in here to visit.</p>
<p>I tend to err on the side of caution when having connecting flights, not because of immigration and customs, but because of delays dues to weather, airport congestion, etc… Recently, one person who was due at a meeting in Boston took a 11am flight from NYC. He arrived at the meeting only minutes ahead of someone else who took a 1pm flight.</p>
<p>chocoholic: I would definitely take the 5+ hour layover. We came back from Beijing last year, had a change of planes in Canada. There was a 2 hour layover, but we didn’t make the connecting flight back into the U.S.-- sat at the airport for forever, waiting for the next available flight. Also, daughter just flew to Hong Kong and had a 5 hour layover at Kennedy. We thought that seemed long, but in the end–wasn’t at all. Although the flights were all on time, she had to get over to the int’l terminal, which actually took a couple of hours (no kidding)–trains were broken/late and running between terminals only once an hour, etc.<br>
So I agree with others here–definitely take the 5.5 hour layover–even though those are domestic flights within China.</p>
<p>You are all right, ofcourse. I am just feeling bad about the long layover after a 14 hour flight, but wisdom must prevail. Pointless to miss your connection in a foreign country and have worse problems than a 5 hour layover.</p>
<p>I guess I am a little surprised that there are not multiple flights between the 2 major cities, every hour. With at least Chinese airlines that I know of, it just seems odd.</p>
<p>I just need to confirm with the program now that they will pick her up from Pudong airport at 10:00 p.m.</p>
<p>hehe here I am.</p>
<p>The flights between Shanghai and Beijing are notoriously delayed. But your concern is the delay on the flight from the US to Beijing, correct? I fly United from San Francisco, non-stop. In the ~14 flights I’ve made over the last two and a half years, I have been delayed only once or twice. However, once it was for 8 hours…They really like to get those big 747s up in the air. On the other hand, they don’t have a lot of them hanging around and if one goes seriously under it takes a while to fly in a replacement.</p>
<p>My boss has been delayed, in his 200,000 miles he logged between SFO and Pudong, probably 7-8 times. Again, usually it is a 1-2 hour delay but those 8 hour delays do happen.</p>
<p>And as I said at the beginning, it’s highly likely that the Beijing flights will be delayed to Shanghai. So to miminize anxiety all around I would go for the long layover.</p>
<p>What airline is she taking within China? We try to put our execs on China Eastern. Please let her know that flying within China is not like flying in the US. Gates change, sometimes without notice. Flight delays are not always posted, you have to keep checking. Basically, you have to sit at the gate and watch everyone else who speaks Chinese like a hawk. If you see any movement, go find out why. And in Pudong, the gate numbered is not self-explanatory.</p>
<p>Does your D speak Mandarin at all? If no, make sure she knows to ask the American-based airlines personnel what is going on at all times. They will know how to answer her questions best.</p>
<p>Don’t worry, she will be safe. However, she may be highly frustrated. Welcome to China! Is she in Shanghai for the summer?</p>
<p>Thanks Alu. I knew that “China” in the title would suck you in. She is going there for the Fall semester, so flying out August 25, returning Dec.22</p>
<p>She is doing Continental to Beijing and then (probably) China Eastern to Shanghai.</p>
<p>My concern is that if her flight into Beijing is late OR she is delayed in C & I, that she may miss the 3:35 flight to Shanghai.</p>
<p>I would hate for the Beijing -Shanghai flight to be delayed, because she will get into Shanghai after 9:30 p.m. as it is.</p>
<p>Do you have enough clout there to delay the 3:35 flight for her? :)</p>
<p>Why can’t your D fliy directly into Shanghai? There should be many many flights between Shanghai and Beijing so I don’t think there will be any problem. From time plane lands to getting your stuff, I will give it 45 minutes top. Once you get off plane, just walk over to someone at airport and show them the ticket of your next flight and they more than likely will let you pass the special gate w/o any waiting.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>PS. I count 22 flights between 2:00 PM - 7:00 PM from Beijing to Shanghai.</p>
<p>In 2 weeks S is flying from JFK to Hong Kong to Bangkok to Kathmandu with only 1 hour between last two flights. Thai Air – and my travel agent – tells me that’s enough time but I am not convinced. I’ve posted on travel boards and have been told that if flights are NOT delayed he should make the connections. </p>
<p>On the return flight, S will fly from Nepal to Bangkok with overnight stay and then Bangkok to Hong Kong with 2 hour layover before flight to mainland China (Chongqing). Airline (Cathay Pacific is a partner) said 2 hours is plenty of time. There is a later flight if he misses first. However, since I booked online, tickets might have to be picked up in Hong Kong – not entirely clear from web site.</p>
<p>All in all, I am concerned re: connections. I will be glad when the flying is over and done safely.</p>
<p>S #2 flew from Newark to Beijing to Chongqing and said Beijing airport was pretty easy to navigate. Unsure of his layover time.</p>
<p>I concur with laserbrother. I don’t know where you are chocoholic, but United flies direct to Shanghai from both Chicago and San Francisco. That would be easiest. I think American flies direct from Los Angeles. About the flight delays? Clout? Hehe. Sorry…</p>
<p>laserbrother, if those 22 flights are with different airlines it might be tough for her to navigate, deal with the different style of lining up in China, spotty English, etc. trying to get on the “next flight out”. I think it’s best to just make a plan that has the best chance of success, don’t try to game the system, and then have a good backup if necessary. Also, find a mentor of sorts:), an airline staff member who speaks good English, and go to him/her for help if needed.</p>
<p>But don’t worry about the fact that it is 9:30pm or 10pm or anything. In my experience, you arrive, you are amazed to be in China, the adrenaline kicks in. And flying in that direction the jet lag isn’t so bad. Coming back this way however, oooof. I am usually wiped out for 3 days. But these kids are young.</p>
<p>3boysinnjmom - wow. Adventurous. But these are kids are young…</p>
<p>I traveled around India by myself on the trains for 3 months at 25. Wow. What was I thinking:).</p>
<p>“I traveled around India by myself on the trains for 3 months at 25. Wow. What was I thinking”</p>
<p>You were not thinking. Your brain was in hybernation.</p>