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Verdict

Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) scores higher overall at 8.0/10 versus East Midlands Airport (EMA) at 6.7/10.

Score comparison

Metric Shanghai Pudong International Airport East Midlands Airport
FlightLogic Score 8.0 6.7
On-Time Performance 7.8 6.5
Passenger Experience 8.0 6.6
Facilities & Comfort 8.3 6.9
Lounge Score 8.5 6.4
City Shanghai Derby
Country China United Kingdom
Terminals 2 terminals (T1 and T2) 1 terminal
Annual passengers 70M+ 4M+

Operational comparison

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

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

Detailed profiles

Shanghai, China · PVG · #1 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.

Derby, United Kingdom · EMA · #2 in this comparison

East Midlands Airport

1 terminal · 4M+ passengers/year

6.7 / 10

How good is East Midlands Airport?

East Midlands Airport (EMA) scores 6.7/10 (Good) on FlightLogic's airport index — combining on-time performance (6.5), passenger experience (6.6), and facilities (6.9). Lounge quality rates 6.4/10. See full airport guide →

In short

East Midlands EMA scores 6.7/10 — Nottingham/Derby/Leicester gateway. Ryanair and Jet2 hub. Aspire Lounge for Priority Pass. Bus and rail via East Midlands Parkway. UK261 applies.

FlightLogic Score 6.7 Good
On-time 6.5 Departure reliability
Experience 6.6 Staff, queues, cleanliness
Facilities 6.9 Food, shops, seating
Lounges 6.4 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
6.5
Passenger Experience
6.6
Facilities & Comfort
6.9
Lounge score 6.4/10

Highlights

  • Serves Nottingham, Derby, Leicester, and Lincolnshire without Birmingham or East Coast rail positioning
  • Ryanair and Jet2 base — dense Europe and Mediterranean leisure network
  • Aspire Lounge accepts Priority Pass — limited hours; pre-book recommended
  • UK261 on all UK departures; compare /airports/birmingham for Emirates long-haul

Overview

Midlands cargo and leisure airport between Nottingham, Derby, and Leicester — Ryanair, Jet2, and TUI with strong DHL freight operations.

Midlands positioning

EMA sits between the M1 and A50 with bus links to Nottingham and Derby. East Midlands Parkway rail station is a short bus ride — useful for London St Pancras connections via LNER.

For long-haul, Birmingham (7.2/10) offers daily Emirates to Dubai; EMA is short-haul focused.

More comparisons

Compare Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) against 59 other airports
Compare East Midlands Airport (EMA) against 59 other airports

FAQ

Which is better, Shanghai Pudong International Airport or East Midlands Airport?

Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) scores higher overall at 8.0/10 versus East Midlands Airport (EMA) at 6.7/10.

Which has better lounges, PVG or EMA?

Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) scores higher for lounges at 8.5/10, versus East Midlands Airport at 6.4/10.

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

Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) has stronger on-time performance at 7.8/10 versus East Midlands Airport (EMA) at 6.5/10.