Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport — Local services in Shanghai

One of the biggest International Airport in China

Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (IATA: SHA, ICAO: ZSSS) is one of two international airports of Shanghai and an important airline hub of China. Hongqiao Airport mainly serves domestic and regional flights, with limited international flights. It is located near the town of Hongqiao in Changning District, 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) west of downtown, and is closer to the city center than Shanghai Pudong International Airport, Shanghai's main international airport. Hongqiao Airport is a hub for China Eastern Airlines, Shanghai Airlines, Juneyao Airlines and Spring Airlines. In 2016, Hongqiao Airport handled 40,460,135 passengers, making it the 7th busiest airport in China and the 45th busiest in the world.[2] By the end of 2011 Hongqiao Airport hosted 22 airlines serving 82 scheduled passenger destinations. The construction of Hongqiao airport was started in 1921. In May 1923, the airport was opened for mixed civilian use. In 1937, Hongqiao was the site of the so-called 'Oyama Incident' in which a Japanese lieutenant was shot dead by Chinese Peace Preservation Corps soldiers in the lead-up to the Battle of Shanghai. During the Second Sino-Japanese War, the airport was occupied by the Japanese and used as an air force base. Its military use continued after being handed over to the Republic of China government and, later, the People's Republic of China government. From late 1963, it was rebuilt for civilian use, and was re-opened in April 1964. A major expansion took place from March to September 1984, and another from December 1988 to December 1991. Hongqiao Airport served as Shanghai's primary airport until the completion of Pudong International Airport in 1999, when almost all international flights were moved to Pudong. The airport presently offers mainly domestic flights, as well as five international routes to central Tokyo's Haneda Airport, central Seoul's Gimpo International Airport, central Taipei Songshan Airport, Hong Kong International Airport, and Macau's Macau...

This airport has a severe problem with their official Taxi rank. The drivers here rip off foreign people and also native Chinese people that come from outside Shanghai. I usually try to avoid this taxi rank after the first time I got ripped off (although given the late hour it was not extremely high but definitely quite above normal standards). I have only used it twice and both times I have been ripped off, the most recent time extremely so and the taxi driver was also rude even though I was being very friendly to him. The only reason I used it recently was because my plane was delayed so I was unable to get a metro out of the airport and I didn't have a choice (same as the last time actually). The Taxi driver charged me about 40%+ more than what I would consider a very high fare but maybe you could justify it given it was night time. Fortunately, I was able to find his phone number and name through the WeChat pay system and I got my Chinese friend to call him and complain. He returned about 30% of the money and admitted that he'd charged far extra because I was a foreigner.

I think Hongqiao airport management, and the Taxi rank management need to look into their taxi's more. Foreign people are not easily able to complain about this although I see multiple people note that they have been ripped off online. Many foreign people probably do not know the prices here too well. This type of behaviour really puts off tourists coming to China. Many foreign people complain about being ripped off on Chinese trips and there is nothing they can do.

The airport itself is actually quite nice and so are the staff there. They are extremely helpful. The big problem is the...

Hongqiao airport is an exceptionally well-maintained, clean, and cleverly designed airport. Its processes are straightforward and efficient, and looks very sleek and modern as well.

Primarily handling domestic flights in China, I flew with Shanghai Airlines to Nanchang’s Changbei airport. After arriving to Hongqiao via the Airport Link Line from Pudong (urban railway line), I headed to the very broad check-in area. Check-in took a while due to the long lines, but security lines were well managed and only took about 15 minutes. I grabbed food at a restaurant and took a bus to my aircraft. Just like that, I was ready to go, the whole process being extremely streamlined and simple!

In terms of transportation around the airport, there were no people movers, as they are not needed, and moving walkways were rarely seen as well. However, I found these things to be trivial as the terminal is quite compact and walkable.

The airport is connected to the Shanghai Metro system, meaning the entire city can be accessed from the airport. This is quite efficient and useful for travelers, and fares are very much affordable.

The entire airport layout is well designed, as is the case with pretty much all Chinese airports, and shops/restaurants as well as washrooms are abundant. Signage is clear and has English translations for foreign travelers, and ample seating is available throughout the departures hall.

Overall, Hongqiao airport, despite its age, is an efficient, sleek, and well-designed airport that impressed me and provides a positive experience...