Chengdu Airport Lounges: Locations, Facilities, Opening Hours & Access Guide

Chengdu is located in the Sichuan province in south-west China. Including its suburbs, the city has a population of approximately 21 million. Chengdu is one of China's largest economic hubs and, at the same time, one of the country's most important transport junctions. The city is therefore often referred to as the gateway to Western China.

Chengdu welcomes travellers with two airports: Shuangliu and Tianfu. Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport uses the IATA code CTU, while Tianfu International Airport uses the code TFU.

The latter is the newer and larger of the two. In our Trip.com guide to lounges at Chengdu Airport, you will therefore not only find out more about both airports and their terminals, but also about the lounge facilities on offer. We explain where they are located, how you can gain access, and more!

✈️ Lounges at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU)

Shuangliu Airport is located around 16 km south-west of Chengdu city centre, putting it in the immediate vicinity of the city. The airport was commissioned in 1938 and underwent extensive renovation work, particularly during the 2000s. Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport currently has 2 runways and 2 terminals.

As the city's former main airport, CTU handled over 30 million passengers and 300,000 flights in 2023, before many international services were transferred to Chengdu Tianfu International Airport. Today, Shuangliu Airport mainly serves domestic flights, including services operated by Sichuan Airlines, as well as selected regional routes to Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan from 30 July 2026.

You'll find lounges in both terminals at CTU Airport. However, the lounge selection is more limited compared with Chengdu Tianfu International Airport, which now handles most international flights.

🛬 Lounges at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport in Terminal 1

Terminal 1 at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU) is mainly used for domestic flights operated by Sichuan Airlines. The terminal covers a total area of 138,000 m² and has 3 floors. Since 26 March 2023, all overseas international flights have been moved to Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU), meaning Shuangliu Airport no longer operates regular international flights to foreign countries.

From 30 July 2026, selected regional routes to Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan will return to Terminal 1. These regional flights are not classified as overseas international flights. Airlines operating these routes include Sichuan Airlines, Air China, Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong Airlines, Air Macau, China Airlines, and EVA Air.

With our overview, you can find out at a glance which lounges are available in Terminal 1:

🛬 Lounges at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport in Terminal 2

Terminal 2 at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU) was officially opened in August 2012. It is located 800 metres south of Terminal 1 and covers an area of around 350,000 m². Terminal 2 even has 4 floors, and this significant difference in size compared to Terminal 1 quickly becomes apparent in terms of the lounge facilities on offer.

So, a much larger overall selection of lounges awaits you here, and we have tracked them all down for you and summarised them in a quick overview:

✈️ Lounges at Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU)

This airport is quite new, as construction work began in 2016. Just 5 years later, Chengdu Tianfu International Airport opened. However, it is located well outside the city and was built around 50-60 km south-east of Chengdu.

With its completion, Chengdu became China's third city, alongside Beijing and Shanghai, to boast two international airports. The airport features two terminals with a total area of around 710,000 m² as well as three runways.

TFU Airport was designed for around 60 million passengers annually, and you can also find lounges at Tianfu International Airport in both terminals. However, there are significantly fewer than at Chengdu CTU Airport.

🛬 Lounges at Chengdu Tianfu International Airport in Terminal 1

This terminal, which covers approximately 335,000 m², is located 500 m west of Terminal 2. It has 4 floors and is mainly used for international flights. Although this is a brand-new airport, you can only use one single lounge in Terminal 1.

Furthermore, this lounge in Terminal 1 can only be accessed by Business and First Class ticket holders. Neither the Dragon Pass nor the Priority Pass will grant you access.

🛬 Lounges at Chengdu Tianfu International Airport in Terminal 2

Terminal 2 at Chengdu Tianfu TFU Airport is used for domestic flights. It covers an area of 332,000 m² and is spread over 4 floors. You will therefore find all the major Chinese airlines here, such as Air China, Sichuan Airlines, China Eastern or Chengdu Airlines.

Unlike Terminal 1, Terminal 2 houses more than one lounge. Here, you have two airline lounges to choose from:

🚬 Are There Smoking Lounges at Chengdu Airport (CTU/TFU)?

The usual smoking rules for China apply at Chengdu Airport TFU. This means smoking is prohibited inside the terminals and, therefore, also in the Chengdu TFU lounges. However, there is some good news: the airport does have smoking areas outside both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.

However, you must pass through security in both terminals, and you will find the smoking area in Terminal 1 on the 3rd floor near Gate 113. In Terminal 2, there are actually several, specifically at gates 211, 217, 229, and 236.

The situation at Chengdu CTU Airport is practically the same. As is the case everywhere in China, there is a strict smoking ban inside both terminals. Smoking is only permitted in the designated smoking areas outside the building. These are located on the upper floors in the departure areas of Terminals 1 and 2, as well as in the entrance and exit areas of the buildings.

🎫 How to Access Chengdu Airport Lounges (CTU & TFU)?

There are various ways to gain access to one of the lounges at the two airports in Chengdu, CTU or TFU. If you are travelling with a First or Business Class ticket, for example, you can use your airline's lounge (if available) or that of a partner airline.

Another option is membership in a programme like Priority Pass or Dragon Pass. Your credit card can also grant you access, which is possible with the American Express Platinum, for example. However, you can also purchase access by booking your visit in advance via Trip.com or buying your ticket directly at the entrance.

Depending on the exchange rate, the price for a direct purchase is around £17.

💤 Hourly Hotels Near Chengdu Airport (CTU & TFU)

If you have a long layover at either of the two airports, you can, of course, rest and catch up on a few hours of sleep. For this, you can use the Take a Nap Sleeping Pods at both airports. These are the standard sleeping pods found at many Chinese airports. They are high-quality and even include a wake-up service.

The Air China Lounge in Terminal 2 at Chengdu Tianfu TFU Airport also features a sleeping area. The VIP First/Business Class Lounge in Terminal 1 at the same airport at least comes with a relaxation area.

💡 Tips for Using Chengdu Airport Lounges

Regardless of whether you are stopping over, arriving at, or departing from one of the two airports in Chengdu, CTU or TFU, our practical travel tips will ensure you are perfectly prepared for your trip to China:

• Airport lounges: The range of lounges at both airports is rather limited compared to other Chinese airports like Guangzhou or Beijing
• A word of caution regarding the terminals: If you are arriving from abroad and landing at Tianfu Airport, it can sometimes be a tight squeeze to reach one of the lounges in Terminal 2 in time.
• Entry requirements: If you have a longer layover, a visit to the city of Chengdu can be well worth it. British, German, Austrian, and Swiss citizens can spend up to 30 days in China visa-free until the end of 2026.
• Internet access: You have free internet access at both airports, regardless of whether you are in a lounge or not

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