One of the most beautiful flights I've ever taken. As I was lucky with the weather. Our flight time was longer than indicated, but it gave me more opportunities to see Tibet from the air!
Boarding the flight
The ckeck-in and boarding processes were rather unspectacular: the freshly renovated Terminal 1 at Chengdu Shuangliu (CTU) welcomes Sichuan Airlines flights. The check-in was easy, and in English: the Sichuan Airlines staff lady immediately knew what to do with foreign visitors in Lhasa, as we need a special Travel Permit. No question were asked and everything was done within minutes: luggage and boarding pass printing.
I had enough time to pass the security checks, then relax in some of the new sitting areas the T1 offers. Our plane was already at the gate: one of the solid working horses of Sichuan Airlines: the A330-200.
The flight took off on-time: it wasn't half-full. Plenty of space, next and around me.
We first flew off the suburbs of Chengdu, before heading to Eastern Tibet (Kham): we passed the infamous Mount Gongga, flying over Kangding. Shortly after, Western Sichuan was under our wings: famous mountains & places, such as Mount Yala, Litang or Genye Mountain ranges. As we ventured into Tibet Autonomous Prefecture, the weather got clouded.
Snacks and drinks were served, as well as a porridge-based breakfast: not the tastier but efficient at filling up your stomach, before high-altitude places.
And then…the beauty happened. As the weather was partly clouded, I couldn't figure out, where we were: my guess is, it was after Nyinchi, where the concentration of high mountain peaks is … high! Gliding over these 6000-7000m summits was quite an experience!
The landing in Lhasa seemed to be delayed, as we were scheduled at 10:20am. We circled above Tibet, the Yamzho Lake and Lhasa city, before touching down around 11:00am. A sunny weather expected us.
We were advised not to take pictures during taxiing, as Lhasa airport is partly a military installation. A crew member made sure that this rule was enforced. It is, so far, the only airport in China, where I have been advised not to take pictures upon landing.
Next to our gate, another A330-rotation by Air China was waiting to depart. Our luggage was quickly delivered, and we were greeted by our guide & take to our bus. The landing in Lhasa seemed to be delayed, as we were scheduled at 10:20am. We circled above Tibet, the Yamzho Lake and Lhasa city, before touching down around 11:00am. A sunny weather expected us.
We were advised not to take pictures during taxiing, as Lhasa airport is partly a military installation. A crew member made sure that this rule was enforced. It is, so far, the only airport in China, where I have been advised not to take pictures upon landing.
Next to our gate, another A330-rotation by Air China was waiting to depart. Our luggage was quickly delivered, and we were greeted by our guide & take to our bus, to Lhasa.
