Effective June 29th, the check-in and baggage drop deadline for all domestic flights (excluding Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan routes) operating from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport will be shortened to within 30 minutes prior to departure.
The check-in closure time is the final deadline for completing passenger check-in and baggage check-in procedures. Reducing this window requires the airport, airlines, and air traffic control to coordinate and complete over ten essential pre-flight tasks more efficiently within a compressed timeframe to ensure flights depart safely and on schedule.
In October 2025, Hongqiao Airport had already reduced the check-in deadline to within 30 minutes before departure for domestic flight passengers traveling without checked baggage. This policy has now been extended to include passengers with luggage to check.
Since the beginning of 2026, Hongqiao Airport, in collaboration with airlines, has been making continuous efforts to shorten the check-in closure window. Recently, carriers including China Eastern Airlines, Shanghai Airlines, and China United Airlines have introduced a "15-Minute Express" service. Passengers without checked baggage on these flights only need to complete check-in, security screening, and boarding procedures at least 15 minutes before the scheduled departure time.
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