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Verdict

Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) scores higher overall at 7.8/10 versus Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE) at 7.6/10.

Score comparison

Metric Beijing Capital International Airport Nice Côte d'Azur Airport
FlightLogic Score 7.8 7.6
On-Time Performance 7.6 7.4
Passenger Experience 7.7 7.5
Facilities & Comfort 8.0 7.9
Lounge Score 8.4 7.5
City Beijing Nice
Country China France
Terminals 3 terminals (T1, T2, T3) 2 terminals (T1, T2)
Annual passengers 73M+ 14M+

Operational comparison

Transport links, lounge access, connection times, and UK261 eligibility — verify locally before travel.

Policy PEK — Beijing NCE — Nice
Rail / public transport
To city centre
Lounge day pass
Min. connection time
Primary hub carriers

Detailed profiles

Beijing, China · PEK · #1 in this comparison

Beijing Capital International Airport

3 terminals (T1, T2, T3) · 73M+ passengers/year

7.8 / 10

How good is Beijing Capital International Airport?

Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) scores 7.8/10 (Very Good) on FlightLogic's airport index — combining on-time performance (7.6), passenger experience (7.7), and facilities (8.0). Lounge quality rates 8.4/10. See full airport guide →

In short

Beijing Capital PEK scores 7.8/10 on FlightLogic with lounge score 8.4/10. Terminal 3 hosts Air China and Star Alliance international flights. Allow 90+ minutes for connections and immigration. Not to be confused with Daxing PKX. See /guides/beijing-airport-lounge-guide.

FlightLogic Score 7.8 Very Good
On-time 7.6 Departure reliability
Experience 7.7 Staff, queues, cleanliness
Facilities 8.0 Food, shops, seating
Lounges 8.4 Lounge quality
Rating basis Editorial FlightLogic methodology

Score breakdown

Modelled on industry airport indices — on-time data, facilities ratings, and editorial experience signals combined into a single FlightLogic score.

On-Time Performance
7.6
Passenger Experience
7.7
Facilities & Comfort
8.0
Lounge score 8.4/10

Highlights

  • Terminal 3 is among the world's largest airport buildings — Air China First and Business lounges
  • Star Alliance carriers consolidate in T3 for international departures
  • Common connection point for UK–China and UK–Southeast Asia on Air China and partners
  • Beijing Daxing (PKX) serves some carriers separately — check ticket carefully

Overview

Air China and Star Alliance hub — Terminal 3 dragon-themed mega-terminal with strong premium lounges for UK–China and UK–Asia routings.

Terminal 3 and Air China lounges

Terminal 3 serves most international Star Alliance traffic including Air China long-haul. First and Business lounges offer Chinese and international buffet dining with shower suites.

UK passport holders typically need a visa for China unless qualifying for 144-hour transit visa-free in Beijing — verify current rules before planning a layover exit.

Nice, France · NCE · #2 in this comparison

Nice Côte d'Azur Airport

2 terminals (T1, T2) · 14M+ passengers/year

7.6 / 10

How good is Nice Côte d'Azur Airport?

Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE) scores 7.6/10 (Very Good) on FlightLogic's airport index — combining on-time performance (7.4), passenger experience (7.5), and facilities (7.9). Lounge quality rates 7.5/10. See full airport guide →

In short

Nice NCE scores 7.6/10 — French Riviera gateway. Bus 98 to Nice centre ~20 min. See /guides/best-airlines-uk-france and /guides/nice-airport-lounge-guide.

FlightLogic Score 7.6 Very Good
On-time 7.4 Departure reliability
Experience 7.5 Staff, queues, cleanliness
Facilities 7.9 Food, shops, seating
Lounges 7.5 Lounge quality
Rating basis Editorial FlightLogic methodology

Score breakdown

Modelled on industry airport indices — on-time data, facilities ratings, and editorial experience signals combined into a single FlightLogic score.

On-Time Performance
7.4
Passenger Experience
7.5
Facilities & Comfort
7.9
Lounge score 7.5/10

Highlights

  • Primary UK gateway to French Riviera — Monaco 30 min, Cannes 45 min by road
  • easyJet largest carrier from LGW/STN; BA from Heathrow; seasonal Jet2 from regional UK
  • Compare CDG (/airports/cdg) for Paris — Nice is leisure-focused, not a connection hub
  • EU261 applies; UK261 on UK-return legs

Overview

French Riviera gateway — easyJet, BA, and Jet2 from UK for Nice, Monaco, Cannes, and Provence with dense summer schedule.

Riviera access

Helicopter transfers to Monaco available but expensive. Uber and taxis signed landside; traffic heavy Jul–Aug on A8 motorway.

For Provence lavender season (Jun–Jul), NCE is the primary UK fly-in airport.

More comparisons

Compare Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) against 59 other airports
Compare Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE) against 59 other airports

FAQ

Which is better, Beijing Capital International Airport or Nice Côte d'Azur Airport?

Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) scores higher overall at 7.8/10 versus Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE) at 7.6/10.

Which has better lounges, PEK or NCE?

Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) scores higher for lounges at 8.4/10, versus Nice Côte d'Azur Airport at 7.5/10.

Which airport is more on-time, PEK or NCE?

Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) has stronger on-time performance at 7.6/10 versus Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE) at 7.4/10.