Shanghai Pudong Airport Terminal 1
All the information featured on this page was compiled and written by David Enrich, a renowned expert in aviation and airport guides since 1999.
Shanghai Pudong Airport Terminal 1 is a key hub for both domestic and international flights, opened in 1999 and designed with a distinctive seagull-shaped layout that reflects the airport’s modern architecture and capacity for expansion. The terminal is clearly divided into two main areas: the international section on the left and the domestic section on the right, making it easier for passengers to navigate according to their flight type.
Levels and Layout
Terminal 1 features three main levels, each with specific functions and services:
- Level 1 (Arrivals and Baggage Claim): This is the main arrivals hall, split into three sections for domestic, international, and Macao/Taiwan arrivals. All arriving flights reach this level, where passengers can access a wide range of services, including currency exchange, food and drink outlets, retail shops, tourist information, and ground transportation options such as taxis, buses, and metro connections.
- Level 2 (Departures and Check-in): This floor handles most domestic and regional departures. The central transit hall links directly to Gate 16 (Concourse) and check-in counters C, G, H, and J. International flights depart from gates 16 to 29, while domestic flights use gates 1 to 15. Terminal 1’s gates are numbered 1–12, 14–29, with additional gates in the Satellite Terminal S1: 201–211, 533–543, 115–117, 251–255, 256–258, and 511–521.
- Level 3 (Immigration and Security): This level hosts immigration and security checks, as well as check-in counters from A to M. It also manages international flights to and from Taiwan, Macao, and Hong Kong. Level 3 is home to several VIP lounges, offering premium amenities for travelers seeking comfort before their flight.
Satellite Terminal S1
The Satellite Terminal S1, inaugurated in 2019, was built to significantly increase passenger capacity alongside Satellite S2. Together, these satellite terminals provide 83 jet bridges and 90 boarding gates, handling 60–70% of the airport’s total flights. The 620,000-square-meter S1 is connected to Terminals 1 and 2 via an underground people mover, ensuring smooth transfers for passengers who have completed check-in and security.
Transfer Between Terminals
Free terminal shuttle buses operate between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, with stops at Gate 8 in T1, Gate 23 and Gate 27 in T2, and Gate 1 in T1. The journey takes about 5 minutes and runs every 10 minutes from 6:00 am to midnight. This service is essential for passengers connecting between terminals or satellite halls, especially when changing airlines or flight types.
Services and Facilities
Terminal 1 offers a comprehensive range of services for travelers:
- Currency exchange and ATMs
- Restaurants, bars, and retail concessions
- Duty-free shopping
- SPD Bank and other banking services
- Assistance for passengers with special needs
- Police department and lost & found
- Vending machines for snacks and drinks
VIP Lounges
Terminal 1 and its satellite hall S1 host several VIP lounges, each offering a unique set of amenities:
- Golden Century VIP Lounge (Terminal 1): Snacks, Wi-Fi, TV, newspapers, and magazines. Passes start at $17 per passenger.
- No. 9 VIP Lounge (Terminal 1): Open 6:00 am–10:00 pm. Premium food, Wi-Fi, TV, newspapers, and internet terminals. Passes start at $22 per passenger.
- No. 37 VIP Lounge (Terminal 1): Open 6:00 am–10:00 pm. Premium food, Wi-Fi, snacks, drinks, TV, internet terminals, and telephones. Passes start at $37 per passenger.
- No. 35 China Eastern Lounge (Terminal 1, Domestic): Open 6:00 am–last departure. Premium food, Wi-Fi, showers, drinks.
- Shanghai Airport VIP Service Lounge (SAA No. 39 Lounge, Terminal 1, International): Open 6:00 am–7:00 pm. Premium food, Wi-Fi, snacks, showers.
- No. 36 China Eastern Lounge (Terminal 1, International): Open first to last departure. Snacks, premium food, Wi-Fi, showers, drinks, TV, internet terminals, newspapers, and magazines.
- VIP Lounge 120B (Terminal S1, Domestic): Wi-Fi, internet terminals, snacks.
- VIP Lounge 135B (Terminal S1, International): Snacks, drinks.