V39 China Eastern Lounge

V2 China Eastern Lounge – Xi’an (XIY)

Xi’an airport Terminal 3 is the home of SkyTeam members China Southern and China Eastern. China Eastern operates two lounges, situated in either wing of the terminal. The China Eastern V2 Lounge is located in the East Concourse before gate H40, less than five minutes away from the security checkpoint. Make a left after security, then follow the signs to “First Class Lounge 2.”

Closer to the security checkpoint, in the West Concourse, is the V1 Lounge. Both clubs welcome China Eastern premium and Elite Plus passengers.

V39 China Eastern Lounge XIY design

The China Eastern V2 Lounge at Xi’an airport Terminal 3 was recently remodeled. The eclectic design honors the airline’s roots with a signature red carpet, wooden chairs, and electric blue upholstery. The ensemble would feel oddly dated if it weren’t for the many modern touches such as the clean lines and soft tones in the dining area and buffet zone.

Branding is omnipresent yet discrete, with China Eastern logos etched into the walls and partitions.

The lounge is comprised of two spacious wings. The left wing, located behind the lobby, lacks windows and daylight, and is dimly lit. The right wing is much more welcoming, thanks to a large floor-to-ceiling window which lets ample natural light in and reveals views of the tarmac.

V2 China Eastern Lounge – Xi’an (XIY)

The seating area is pretty traditional, with rows of seats facing each other and coffee tables in the center. Privacy is lacking, though the lounge is spacious enough that it’s typically easy to find a secluded spot. There are a number of power outlets in the ground, though the distribution is extremely uneven—entire sections of the lounge, including the brand new dining area, lack access to power.

Unfortunately, the China Eastern V2 Lounge is noisy, and thus hardly conducive to work or relaxation. Exterior sound proofing is poor, and the constant roar of trucks outside is an annoyance. The space isn’t fully isolated from the concourse either, and noise bleeds from the terminal. To top it off, the club is dotted with glaring televisions. With monitors on the walls, mounted on partitions, and even between seats at shoulder level, there’s no escape from the cacophony.

An elegant and vibrant dining area, separated from the rest of the lounge by a curved wooden partition, features tables for four, booths, and table-top seating facing the window. The space is fresh and intimate, perhaps to a fault—with so much available real estate, China Eastern could have dedicated much more space to dining.

Overall, the China Eastern V2 Lounge is a well-appointed space with great views, comfortable seating, and plenty of room—the noise level is however unfortunate, as is the fact that the staff is slow to pick up trash.

V39 China Eastern Lounge XIY amenities

V2 China Eastern Lounge – Xi’an (XIY)

The China Eastern V2 Lounge at Xi’an airport Terminal 3 features an impressive line-up of amenities for domestic travel, with an especially strong food and beverage offering.

A hot buffet is available at all times—in comparison, fellow SkyTeam member China Southern, which operates a club next door, serves only hot meals at meal times. The selection includes snacks, soups, hot entrees, and desserts including tasty rice cakes with honey.

In addition, there is a noodle bar serving classics such as beef noodle soup, freshly prepared on demand. The bar doubles as an espresso stand, complete with a real traditional espresso machine, Lavazza coffee, and barista service. The menu includes traditional espresso-based drinks, as well as various tea concoctions. The staff works slowly, but takes great pride in crafting the perfect cappuccino, complete with the China Eastern logo.

V2 China Eastern Lounge – Xi’an (XIY)

If time is of the essence, plain green tea and (far less palatable) instant coffee are also available for self-service. There are also bottled water, juices and soda in coolers throughout the lounge.

The alcoholic beverage selection is limited to beer and two bottles of wine.

A small business center located in the west wing features a handful of computers and a printer. Wi-Fi is also available; and unlike at most Chinese airports, the password is simply posted throughout the lounge and no cumbersome authentication process is required.

The bathroom, situated at the rear of the lounge behind the dining area and noodle bar, is functional but under-dimensioned, with only two sinks, oddly located in the hallway outside the bathroom proper. There are no showers, unlike at the V1 Lounge.

Other amenities include a few massage chairs in an alcove off the west wing of the lounge, a mother’s room, and a selection of newspapers and magazines.

V39 China Eastern Lounge XIY bottom line

V2 China Eastern Lounge – Xi’an (XIY)

The China Eastern V2 Lounge at Xi’an airport is by far the best airline club at Terminal 3, and well worth the short walk from the more centrally-located China Eastern V1 Lounge. New and spacious, the lounge boasts luxuries such as a noodle bar, an all-day hot buffet, barista coffee, and massage chairs—an impressive array of amenities for domestic travel.

While the lounge is new, the space has a few idiosyncrasies. The left wing is oddly dim; the décor incorporates old-fashioned touches; the bathroom is poorly designed; and the constant background noise is tiresome. But the staff is eager to help despite the occasional language barrier, and the club is both larger and far less busy than the V1 Lounge.