Beijing, China (October 19, 2025)
Does the airport count? I mean, I’ve been in China before back in 1992, so it’s been a solid 33 years since the last time I’ve been here, but today I arrived from Athens, Greece and hung out in the Air China Business Class Loung thanks to my Million Miler status with United Airlines (part of Star Aliance Gold).
Never have I been happier to be a Million Miler with United
I don’t mind a 4 or 5 hour layover when you get to spend it in the lounge. Great food, wonderful Wifi, and plenty of places to nap.
Elena and Violet doing their best to catch some sleep between flights
For me, I enjoyed all the cool differences being in a Chinese airport lounge. For example, I love this water garden:
Beautiful and peaceful way to relax while waiting for your flight
And, of course, Air China has the Panda as its mascot, so I couldn’t resist taking a selfie in front of the giant version right at the entrance. It was just standing there asking to be taken a picture with (if you ask me) and so I happily complied.
Bill and the Panda enjoying some VIP Lounge access in Beijing, China
Of course, all of this was after we got through the “transfer security” which I’ve never experienced before. Usually, when you are waiting to transfer planes, you don’t go through security again, but in this case, they were taking people’s lighters and lotions — even if it made it on the previous flight. So strange. Every airport is different. When in China … follow their security protocols.
Overall, I’ve been really happy with this airport lounge and ti’s been a wonderful to decompress from the last 9 hour flight from Athens and getting ready for antoher 3 to 4 hour flight to Japan. Long travel day to be sure, but this stop over has been refreshing. I can’t always say that about layovers, but this one has been great.
