Flying in Asia: Tips for First-Time Visitors

Understanding Asia's Aviation Landscape

Asia is home to some of the world's busiest and most modern airports, alongside thousands of smaller regional airstrips connecting island chains, mountain valleys, and remote communities. The continent spans dozens of countries, each with its own aviation regulations, airport procedures, and cultural expectations. For first-time visitors, understanding the regional structure of Asian aviation makes the difference between a stressful transit and a seamless journey.

The major hub airports—Tokyo Narita (NRT) and Haneda (HND), Beijing Capital (PEK) and Daxing (PKX), Shanghai Pudong (PVG), Hong Kong International (HKG), Singapore Changi (SIN), Seoul Incheon (ICN), and Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (BKK)—handle the bulk of international traffic. These are your most likely entry points, and each operates at world-class standards with extensive English signage, efficient immigration halls, and outstanding transit facilities.

Beyond the flagship hubs, secondary airports such as Kuala Lumpur International (KUL), Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN), Shenzhen Bao'an (SZX), and Chengdu Tianfu (TFU) serve as important regional connectors. Familiarizing yourself with IATA codes before you travel helps enormously when reading boarding passes, luggage tags, and departure boards across Asia.

Choosing the Right Carrier: Full-Service vs. Budget Airlines

Asia has an exceptionally competitive low-cost carrier (LCC) market. AirAsia, headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, operates an enormous network across Southeast Asia with hubs at Kuala Lumpur (KUL), Bangkok Don Mueang (DMK), Jakarta (CGK), and Manila (MNL). IndiGo dominates Indian domestic routes. Scoot (Singapore), Cebu Pacific (Philippines), VietJet (Vietnam), Jeju Air (South Korea), and Peach Aviation (Japan) all offer fares significantly cheaper than their full-service counterparts.

Full-service carriers in Asia consistently rank among the world's best. Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, ANA, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, and EVA Air all offer premium experiences including generous baggage allowances, excellent in-flight meals, and attentive service. If you are connecting internationally or traveling with checked luggage, these carriers often provide better overall value once fees are factored in.

When booking on budget carriers, read the fare conditions with extreme care. AirAsia and similar LCCs sell base fares that exclude checked baggage, seat selection, and meals. Adding 20 kg of checked luggage at the airport can cost two to three times the online booking price. Always pre-purchase baggage allowance, and carry a personal item within the specified dimensions (typically 40 x 30 x 20 cm) to avoid gate charges.

Codeshare arrangements between full-service carriers are common across Asia. Japan Airlines partners with American Airlines; Singapore Airlines partners with United and Lufthansa. These partnerships mean your frequent-flyer miles may earn on codeshare flights, and reciprocal lounge access sometimes applies—check the specific agreement before your trip.

Visa Requirements and Entry Regulations

Visa requirements across Asia vary enormously by passport nationality and destination. Citizens of most Western nations receive visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to Thailand (30 days), Malaysia (90 days), Indonesia (30 days), Philippines (30 days), and Japan (90 days). However, China requires advance visa applications from most nationalities, with a transit visa needed even for layovers exceeding 24 hours in most cases—though select airports including Shanghai Pudong, Beijing Capital, and Guangzhou Baiyun offer 144-hour visa-free transit for qualifying nationalities.

India offers an e-Visa facility for citizens of over 160 countries, allowing applications online up to 4 days before arrival. The e-Tourist Visa is valid for 30, 60, or 365 days depending on the tier you select. Vietnam similarly operates an e-Visa system valid for 90 days with multiple entries. Always check official government immigration portals for current requirements, as visa policies in Asia change frequently.

Myanmar, Bhutan, and North Korea require special arrangements beyond standard visas. Bhutan charges a Sustainable Development Fee (currently USD 100 per person per day), which must be pre-paid through a licensed Bhutanese tour operator. Always purchase comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical evacuation, as healthcare infrastructure varies enormously across the region.

Airport Customs, Cultural Expectations, and Practical Tips

Japanese airports—particularly Tokyo Narita, Haneda, and Kansai International (KIX)—operate with exceptional punctuality and orderliness. Queues are formed and respected strictly. When filling out the Japanese arrival card, declare any food items you are carrying: Japan's quarantine regulations are enforced, and undeclared agricultural products can result in fines. Remove shoes at airport prayer rooms and certain lounges as signs indicate.

In Chinese airports, the security screening process often includes X-ray scanning of checked baggage before check-in as well as the standard carry-on screening. Liquids regulations mirror international standards (100 ml per container, all in a 1-liter bag), but enforcement is thorough. Power banks above 100 Wh are prohibited in the aircraft hold and must be carried in cabin baggage; those above 160 Wh are banned entirely from flights.

Singapore Changi Airport is routinely ranked the world's best and serves as an excellent transit hub. Its Jewel complex, attached to Terminal 1, houses the world's tallest indoor waterfall, extensive retail, and a forest canopy walk. Transit passengers with layovers exceeding 5.5 hours can book free tours of Singapore through the airport's Heritage Tours programme. Changi connects to the city centre via MRT in 30 minutes for SGD 1.90—far cheaper than taxis.

Southeast Asian airports experience peak congestion during major religious and national holidays. Chinese New Year (January–February), Eid al-Fitr (date varies by year), Diwali in India, and Golden Week in Japan all cause significant surges in passenger volume. Book flights at least 8–12 weeks in advance for these periods, and build extra time into connections—domestic airports in Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines can experience significant delays during peak periods.

Health, Safety, and Airport Connectivity

Most major Asian airports offer free Wi-Fi, though connection quality varies. Singapore Changi, Seoul Incheon, and Tokyo Narita provide fast, reliable free wireless throughout the terminals. At some Chinese airports, accessing international websites requires a VPN due to national internet filtering—set up your VPN before arriving in China, as downloading VPN apps from within the country is restricted.

Currency exchange at Asian airports is generally poor value. ATMs in the international arrivals hall almost always offer better rates than exchange counters. Notify your bank of travel plans before departure to avoid cards being blocked. In Japan, 7-Eleven and Japan Post ATMs reliably accept international cards; in other countries, Visa and Mastercard networks are widely accepted at airport ATMs. Avoid carrying large amounts of cash through some Southeast Asian airports, as pickpocketing in crowded immigration halls has been reported.

Tap water is not potable in most of Southeast Asia, India, and parts of China. Carry a reusable water bottle that you can fill at filtered water stations—many modern airports have them post-security. Pharmacy-grade oral rehydration salts are worth carrying if you are visiting rural areas after landing.