Lounge Review: No.77 China Eastern Plaza Premium Lounge - Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
Located in Terminal 2 of the Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG), the No.77 China Eastern Plaza Premium Lounge is the world's first co-branded lounge and it offers 180-degree views of the airport runway. As a Business Class passenger traveling on Singapore Airlines, I had access to the Air China Business Class Lounge but having been to the Air China First Class Lounge in PEK, I was slightly discouraged to check out the Air China lounge so I decided to take my American Express Platinum Card to the No.77 China Eastern Plaza Premium Lounge instead.
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Located near Gate 77 (hence, the name) of the Shanghai Pudong International Airport, the No.77 China Eastern Plaza Premium Lounge measures over 1,800sqm in size and it offers a seating capacity of 500. This pay-in facility is open to all travelers (regardless of cabin class) and it will cost approximately USD 37 to get in for two hours - you may check out LoungeBuddy for additional information regarding access and opening times. If you hold an American Express Platinum Card, access will be complimentary and you will be able to bring at least one guest in for free (US cardholders get to bring in two guests).
I really like how modern the whole lounge looks and it features a large seating area, a workstation with internet access, a nursing room, shower suites as well as a smoking room. WiFi seems to work without a hitch (you do have to get connected to a VPN to access restricted sites like Facebook, Instagram and Google though) and you do not actually have to scan your boarding pass or get a Chinese mobile number in order to gain access (phew!). If you would rather have more privacy, the signature honeycomb seats can also be found in this facility for you to get work done.
As mentioned earlier, the lounge is located on the mezzanine level and it offers expansive views of the airport runway - you will also not feel claustrophobic since there is plenty of natural daylight and an abundance of space. Perhaps it had to do with the time of visit but the lounge was fairly empty when I visited (less than half full) and I managed to occupy one of the more private seats by the side. I have actually had lunch at one of the airport restaurants downstairs (since I still have some balance on my WeChat wallet) so I did not actually grab any food at the lounge but there seems to be a decent selection of hot food (at least where airport lounges in China go).
Universal power outlets can be found in between seats so you do not have to worry about running out of juice while you are here. Since I was seating in one of the semi-private booths on the side, I did find the table to be unsuitable for work - it was flimsy and was probably designed as a side table instead of a working one.
If you are in need of a drink, there is a small selection of spirits as well as wines (one red and one white) in the lounge - these are complimentary for all guests who already have access to the lounge. Unlike the Plaza Premium Lounge in Siem Reap International Airport (REP), I do not believe that there are any limits to the number of alcoholic drinks that you can enjoy.
I did end up with a G&T (well, G&S to be exact) during my visit and I can definitely see myself spending the whole two hours - no one will really keep track of your usage so I guess it is fine for you to stay longer if required.
Having looked at the photos and reviews of the Air China Business Class Lounge in Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG), I am pretty glad that I have decided to check out the No.77 China Eastern Plaza Premium Lounge instead. Sure, it is in no way comparable to a proper SilverKris Lounge (like that one in Bangkok) but like most of the Plaza Premium Lounges that I have been to this year, it was beautifully-appointed, had decent food and more importantly, it was designed with business travellers in mind.
Business Class passengers now enjoy complimentary inflight Wi-Fi when traveling on Cathay Pacific.