China · Beijing
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) Online Check-in
Beijing's primary international airport (PEK) and Air China's main hub. Three terminals — T2 (Star Alliance), T3 (Air China + most international). PKX (Daxing) handles SkyTeam + China Eastern + China Southern.
Now at Beijing Capital International Airport
- Security wait (today, avg) 18 min
- Disruption No reported disruption
- Weather impact Clear, 14 °C
Quick information
Airlines we cover at Beijing Capital International Airport
Beijing Capital International Airport hosts about 60 airlines in total. We have terminal-specific check-in pages for the 1 listed below. Pick yours to see counters, bag-drop, and online check-in details.
How to check in for a flight from Beijing Capital International Airport
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Check in online before you leave home
Most airlines open online check-in 24–48 hours before departure. It saves time at the airport and avoids airport-counter fees on low-cost carriers.
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Arrive at the right terminal
PEK has 3 terminal(s). Check your airline's terminal in the table above before you set off.
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Drop off checked baggage
Counters typically open 2 hours before departure and close 40 minutes before. Use self-service bag-drop kiosks to save time.
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Pass security
Liquids must be in a single transparent bag, max 100 ml each. Laptops and large electronics out of bags. Submit your security wait time below to help others.
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Reach your gate on time
Most airlines close the gate 20 minutes before departure. Allow 5–15 minutes to walk from security to the gate.
Tips for Beijing Capital International Airport
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PEK vs PKX — different airports, different airlines
PEK = Beijing Capital, T2/T3 hub of Air China + Star Alliance. PKX = Beijing Daxing, hub of China Eastern + China Southern + SkyTeam. Verify on booking — they're 50+ km apart.
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144-hour transit visa-free
Many nationalities (UK, US, EU, AU, CA, JP, KR) qualify for 144-hour visa-free transit at PEK if onward to a third country. Apply at airport on arrival, valid only in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.
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Subway Airport Express is fastest to centre
Beijing Subway Airport Express links all three terminals to Dongzhimen station in 25 min for ¥25 (~$3). From Dongzhimen, transfer to lines 2/13/etc.
Popular destinations from Beijing Capital International Airport
Frequently asked questions
Which terminal does Air China use at PEK?
Air China primarily uses Terminal 3 at Beijing Capital. Star Alliance partners (UA, LH, ANA, SQ) also at T3. T2 mostly for SkyTeam (DL, AF, KL) and other international.
Is PEK or PKX the main Beijing airport?
Both are equally main airports — but they serve different airlines. PEK is older, busier (>100M passengers/year), serves Star Alliance. PKX (opened 2019) serves SkyTeam (CA + 3U not at PKX).
Do I need a visa to transit Beijing?
Many nationalities can use 144-hour visa-free transit at PEK if traveling to a third country. Apply at airport with onward ticket. Otherwise, full Chinese visa required for entry.
Official sources
The check-in details on this page are sourced from each airline's website. For terminal layout, opening hours, and ground-side services, see the Beijing Capital International Airport official site below.
- Wikipedia: Beijing Capital International Airport — Editorial overview, history, statistics.
- FlightRadar24: PEK live data — Live flight arrivals, departures, and delays.
- gov.uk travel advice — Up-to-date entry requirements and security guidance for China.