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Verdict

Tokyo Narita International Airport (NRT) scores higher overall at 8.2/10 versus Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) at 8.0/10.

Score comparison

Metric Tokyo Narita International Airport Shanghai Pudong International Airport
FlightLogic Score 8.2 8.0
On-Time Performance 8.4 7.8
Passenger Experience 8.1 8.0
Facilities & Comfort 8.2 8.3
Lounge Score 8.6 8.5
City Tokyo Shanghai
Country Japan China
Terminals 3 terminals (T1, T2, T3) 2 terminals (T1 and T2)
Annual passengers 33M+ 70M+

Operational comparison

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

Policy NRT — Tokyo PVG — Shanghai
Rail / public transport
To city centre
Lounge day pass
Min. connection time
Primary hub carriers

Detailed profiles

Tokyo, Japan · NRT · #1 in this comparison

Tokyo Narita International Airport

3 terminals (T1, T2, T3) · 33M+ passengers/year

8.2 / 10

How good is Tokyo Narita International Airport?

Tokyo Narita International Airport (NRT) scores 8.2/10 (Excellent) on FlightLogic's airport index — combining on-time performance (8.4), passenger experience (8.1), and facilities (8.2). Lounge quality rates 8.6/10. See full airport guide →

In short

Tokyo Narita (NRT) is rated 8.2/10 on FlightLogic with lounge score 8.6/10. JAL lounges in Terminal 2 and ANA in Terminal 1 serve premium passengers. Allow 60–90 minutes by train to central Tokyo. UK travellers often choose Haneda for city access; Narita for specific carrier schedules. See /guides/narita-airport-lounge-guide.

FlightLogic Score 8.2 Excellent
On-time 8.4 Departure reliability
Experience 8.1 Staff, queues, cleanliness
Facilities 8.2 Food, shops, seating
Lounges 8.6 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
8.4
Passenger Experience
8.1
Facilities & Comfort
8.2
Lounge score 8.6/10

Highlights

  • Terminal 1 serves Star Alliance (ANA); Terminal 2 serves oneworld (JAL) — verify terminal on your ticket
  • JAL First Lounge and ANA Suite Lounge among Japan's best airline clubs
  • N'EX Narita Express reaches Tokyo Station in ~60 minutes — reliable for UK arrivals
  • Haneda vs Narita: NRT scores 8.2/10 overall but Haneda wins on city proximity (see /airports/haneda)

Overview

Tokyo's legacy international hub — JAL and ANA premium lounges, strong on-time performance, and 60–90 minute train ride to central Tokyo versus Haneda's 15–30 minutes.

JAL and ANA lounge access

Japan Airlines operates Sakura and First lounges in Terminal 2 for oneworld passengers. ANA Suite and Business lounges in Terminal 1 serve Star Alliance premium passengers. Terminal 3 handles LCCs separately.

Inter-terminal transfers require landside bus or train — not airside. Connections between JAL and ANA metal require immigration and re-security unless on a protected interline.

Shanghai, China · PVG · #2 in this comparison

Shanghai Pudong International Airport

2 terminals (T1 and T2) · 70M+ passengers/year

8.0 / 10

How good is Shanghai Pudong International Airport?

Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) scores 8.0/10 (Excellent) on FlightLogic's airport index — combining on-time performance (7.8), passenger experience (8.0), and facilities (8.3). Lounge quality rates 8.5/10. See full airport guide →

In short

Shanghai Pudong PVG scores 8.0/10 on FlightLogic with lounge score 8.5/10. Terminal 1 Star Alliance; Terminal 2 China Eastern/SkyTeam. Maglev to city in 8 min. Verify PVG vs SHA Hongqiao on ticket. See /guides/shanghai-airport-lounge-guide.

FlightLogic Score 8.0 Excellent
On-time 7.8 Departure reliability
Experience 8.0 Staff, queues, cleanliness
Facilities 8.3 Food, shops, seating
Lounges 8.5 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
7.8
Passenger Experience
8.0
Facilities & Comfort
8.3
Lounge score 8.5/10

Highlights

  • Terminal 1 serves Star Alliance (Air China, United, Lufthansa); Terminal 2 serves China Eastern and SkyTeam partners
  • China Eastern and Air China First/Business lounges among Asia's largest airline clubs
  • Maglev train to Longyang Road in 8 minutes — fastest airport-to-city link in the world
  • Common one-stop for UK–China and UK–Australia on China Eastern and partner metal

Overview

China Eastern and Star Alliance hub — Terminal 1 and 2 satellite design with strong premium lounges for UK–China and UK–Asia routings via Shanghai.

Terminal 1 and 2 lounge access

Terminal 1 hosts Star Alliance carriers with Air China and partner lounges. Terminal 2 serves China Eastern — China's largest airline at PVG — with extensive First and Business lounges.

Inter-terminal transfers require landside transport or shuttle — not airside. Connections between Star Alliance and SkyTeam metal require immigration unless on protected interline.

UK traveller notes

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

Compare PVG against Beijing PEK (/airports/beijing) and Hong Kong HKG (/airports/hkg) for UK–Asia routing — PVG strong for China domestic connections; HKG for Oneworld.

More comparisons

Compare Tokyo Narita International Airport (NRT) against 59 other airports
Compare Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) against 59 other airports

FAQ

Which is better, Tokyo Narita International Airport or Shanghai Pudong International Airport?

Tokyo Narita International Airport (NRT) scores higher overall at 8.2/10 versus Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) at 8.0/10.

Which has better lounges, NRT or PVG?

Tokyo Narita International Airport (NRT) scores higher for lounges at 8.6/10, versus Shanghai Pudong International Airport at 8.5/10.

Which airport is more on-time, NRT or PVG?

Tokyo Narita International Airport (NRT) has stronger on-time performance at 8.4/10 versus Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) at 7.8/10.