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FlightLogic is an independent, advertising-supported information service that lets you compare airlines, airports, hotels, and travel products. We do not provide financial advice and we do not recommend specific products or providers. Links marked * are advertising links and may earn us commission at no extra cost to you — always read the terms of any product before booking or applying. Learn more about how we make money.
Shanghai Pudong International Airport vs New York John F. Kennedy International Airport
Detailed comparison of PVG and JFK on FlightLogic scores and passenger experience.
Verdict
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) scores higher overall at 8.0/10 versus New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) at 7.2/10.
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-2026.
FlightLogic Score8.0Excellent
On-time7.8Departure reliability
Experience8.0Staff, queues, cleanliness
Facilities8.3Food, shops, seating
Lounges8.5Lounge quality
Rating basisEditorialFlightLogic 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 score8.5/10
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.
New York, United States · JFK · #2 in this comparison
How good is New York John F. Kennedy International Airport?
New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) scores 7.2/10 (Very Good)
on FlightLogic's airport index — combining on-time performance (6.8),
passenger experience (7.0), and facilities (7.8).
Lounge quality rates 8.4/10. See full airport guide →
In short
JFK (JFK) is New York's primary international airport, rated 7.2/10 on FlightLogic with lounge score 8.4/10. Terminal 4 has the deepest lounge mix (Delta, Virgin, Centurion, Priority Pass). Terminal 8 is American's flagship hub. Allow extra time — security and terminal transfers are slower than European hubs. See /guides/jfk-airport-lounge-guide-2026 for terminal-by-terminal access.
FlightLogic Score7.2Very Good
On-time6.8Departure reliability
Experience7.0Staff, queues, cleanliness
Facilities7.8Food, shops, seating
Lounges8.4Lounge quality
Rating basisEditorialFlightLogic 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
6.8
Passenger Experience
7.0
Facilities & Comfort
7.8
Lounge score8.4/10
Highlights
Terminal 4 is the international hub — Delta Sky Club, Virgin Clubhouse, Amex Centurion, and Plaza Premium
Terminal 8 hosts American Flagship Lounge and Admirals Club for AA long-haul departures
No unified post-security connector — lounge access is terminal-specific; misconnects often require re-security
FlightLogic lounge score 8.4/10 — among the strongest US airport lounge ecosystems when you depart from the right terminal
Overview
Primary US gateway for transatlantic traffic — terminal-specific lounges, fragmented airside connections, and strong premium options in T4 and T8.
Terminal layout and lounge access
JFK is split across six terminals with no single airside link between all of them. Your lounge options depend entirely on which terminal your flight departs from — Amex Centurion in Terminal 4 is useless if you depart from Terminal 8 without a long landside transfer.
Terminal 4 serves Delta, Virgin Atlantic, and many SkyTeam and international carriers. Terminal 8 is American Airlines' home. JetBlue Mint Lounge in Terminal 5 is among the best domestic US airline lounges. British Airways still uses Terminal 7 on select departures.
UK traveller notes
Most UK–JFK routes arrive into T4 (Virgin, Delta, BA on some flights) or T8 (BA, AA). For connections onward within the US, verify whether your itinerary stays airside or requires baggage reclaim and re-check — many JFK connections are not protected through a single terminal.
Global Entry and Mobile Passport can shorten immigration; TSA PreCheck helps on domestic connections. Pair with /guides/jfk-airport-lounge-guide-2026 and Heathrow guides for round-trip transatlantic planning.
FAQ
Which is better, Shanghai Pudong International Airport or New York John F. Kennedy International Airport?
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) scores higher overall at 8.0/10 versus New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) at 7.2/10.
Which has better lounges, PVG or JFK?
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) scores higher for lounges at 8.5/10, versus New York John F. Kennedy International Airport at 8.4/10.
Which airport is more on-time, PVG or JFK?
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) has stronger on-time performance at 7.8/10 versus New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) at 6.8/10.
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