Hainan Airlines' new Chongqing lounge has a library inside and Chongqing noodles on the menu

Hainan Airlines has opened a new lounge at Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport, with a library inside and Chongqing-style noodles on the menu. The airline says the lounge opened on September 21, 2026. It announced the news on its own website the next day.

The lounge is a joint project between Hainan Airlines and Chongqing Airport. Hainan calls it a major upgrade to its ground service in the city, where its Chongqing branch is nearing its third anniversary.

Where it is and how big it is

According to Hainan's announcement, the lounge is in Terminal 3A, directly opposite Gate E08. It is about a five-minute walk after the domestic security checkpoint. That means it serves domestic flights. Hainan's separate lounge information page places it opposite Gate E09, so look for signs around both gates.

The lounge covers about 1,200 square meters. Hainan says it can hold up to 190 passengers at its busiest.

Hainan says the lounge has:

• A separate rest area and free massage chairs.
• A branch of the Chongqing Library, styled after the Zhongshuge bookstore chain, with a mirrored ceiling.
• A printing area.
• A dining area serving hot food and local dishes such as Chongqing noodles.
• Showers and private restrooms.

The design uses gold as its main color, with curved ceilings. Two snack counters are shaped to look like a ship, a nod to the two rivers that meet in Chongqing.

Who can get in

The opening announcement does not list access rules. Hainan's general lounge page says its lounges in mainland China admit:

• Business class passengers.
• Fortune Wings Club Platinum, Gold and Silver members.
• Golden Deer card members.

According to that page, Platinum members may bring two companions and Gold members may bring one. Companions must be on the same flight on the same day. The page also lists opening hours for the Chongqing lounge: from two hours before the first domestic departure until boarding ends for the last domestic flight.

Hainan has not said whether any card programs, such as Priority Pass, can be used here. We have added the lounge to our directory as the Hainan Airlines VIP Lounge.

Other lounges in Terminal 3A

If you are not flying Hainan in business class or with status, this lounge is likely off limits. Our directory lists other options in Terminal 3A, including a Plaza Premium Lounge for domestic flights and a Plaza Premium Lounge for international flights at Pier H. Both are listed as Priority Pass lounges. China Southern also runs Sky Pearl lounges at the airport.

You can see all of them on our Terminal 3A page.

Why Chongqing matters to Hainan

Hainan says it runs nearly 60 departures and arrivals a day in Chongqing, linking the city with 14 major domestic cities. It also flies nine direct international routes from Chongqing, to Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Rome, Madrid, Paris, Milan, Brussels, Seattle and Auckland.

"We will take the opening of this lounge as a new starting point," said Yang Jiuzhou, general manager of Hainan's Chongqing branch, according to the airline's announcement.

What we still don't know

• Whether international passengers can use this lounge, since it sits after domestic security.
• Whether paid entry is offered.
• Whether any lounge networks are accepted.

We will update this story if Hainan Airlines shares more. The announcement is in Chinese; quotes and details here are our translation.