China Eastern Airlines Budapest: Layover & Meals (2026)

Last summer, my mom and I embarked on an unforgettable journey to Budapest. We flew China Eastern Airlines with a layover in Shanghai. For first-time travelers considering connecting flights, common questions often pop up: "Is the transfer complicated?" or "What are the in-flight meals like?" To answer these, I've detailed our entire experience, from checking in at Incheon Airport to clearing immigration at Budapest Airport.

China Eastern Airlines Shanghai Layover Itinerary

Our journey consisted of two segments: one from Incheon to Shanghai Pudong Airport, and then from Pudong to Budapest.

Before departure, we grabbed a quick bite at the lounge. Since it was the start of a long journey, both my mom and I made sure to eat a hearty meal before heading to our gate.

Incheon Airport Check-in and Boarding Pass

During check-in at Incheon, we received both boarding passes at once: one for the flight to Shanghai Pudong and the connecting flight to Budapest. This made the start of our journey much smoother, as we didn't have to worry about finding a check-in counter again in Shanghai.

Our first boarding pass showed flight MU8604, destination Pudong (PU DONG), and the date July 4. Since both segments were with China Eastern, managing our reservation and boarding was straightforward. The boarding pass also indicated in both Chinese and English that the gate would close 20 minutes before departure. Make sure to keep an eye on this time, especially if you're enjoying some duty-free shopping!

Incheon-Shanghai In-flight Meal

After takeoff, endless clouds stretched out below us. Even for the relatively short flight from Incheon to Shanghai, we were served a warm meal.

Peeling back the foil, I found rice with chicken and a pea sauce, accompanied by bread, a side salad with ham, fruit like pineapple, and a bottle of water. I'd expected something simple for such a short flight, but it was a surprisingly substantial meal.

As we approached Shanghai, the sun had already set, and the city lights stretched out below us like a vast chessboard. We spent the night at Pudong Airport waiting for our connecting flight, a story I'll share in more detail separately.

Shanghai-Budapest In-flight Meals

On our MU869 flight to Budapest, we were served two meals. The first was a hearty dish of thick noodles stir-fried with meat and carrots, served with bread and butter, a small side dish, a slice of cake, and bottled water. Even though we boarded in the early hours and were quite tired, the noodles were tender and easy to enjoy.

Our second meal, served before arrival, was a breakfast spread. It featured scrambled eggs, baked beans, potatoes, and zucchini, along with yogurt and bottled water – a lovely preview of European breakfast!

In between meals, we also received a small snack bag. A thoughtful touch for a long-haul flight was the charging port conveniently located beneath the seat screen, perfect for keeping our phones powered up.

In-flight Screen and Flight Time

Each seat had a personal screen, and I kept the flight path map displayed for most of the journey. Watching our progress across different countries on the map was surprisingly engaging and helped the time fly by. The screen I photographed showed 2 hours and 18 minutes remaining until arrival, with an estimated local arrival time in Budapest of 6:30 AM. Arriving so early means you can really maximize your first day if you plan your itinerary in advance.

Budapest Airport Immigration

When I arrived in July 2025, the immigration signs indicated that Hungarian, EU, UK, and South Korean citizens could all use the same lane. However, the situation has changed. As of November 18, 2025, Budapest Airport implemented the EU's new Entry/Exit System (EES). As non-EU passport holders, travelers like those from the US or South Korea now undergo a process to register their facial photo and fingerprints for short-term stays. Official airport guidance now directs non-EU citizens to the 'All Passports' lanes, not the EU-exclusive ones. Please do not rely solely on my old photo to choose your lane; always follow the on-site signage and staff instructions first.

In July 2025, I found it convenient to use the automated immigration gates with my biometric South Korean passport. Current official airport guidance still includes biometric passport holders aged 12 and over from countries like South Korea as eligible for automated gates. However, eligibility for automated gates is separate from the EES registration process. Always follow the on-site instructions for the actual flow, and allow ample time for your first activity after arrival.

While a connecting flight naturally means a longer travel time than a direct route, receiving both boarding passes at the initial check-in made the transfer process surprisingly straightforward. Traveling with my mom, I had worried about the journey, but the in-flight meals on both segments were substantial, ensuring we were never hungry.

Do you prefer direct flights or connecting routes when heading to Europe? I'll be sharing more about our overnight stay at Shanghai Pudong Airport while awaiting our connecting flight in a separate post!