China-US round-trip flights achieve new breakthrough after three years: The United States approves Chinese airlines to operate 12 weekly flights between China and the US.
With the increase in flights, Chinese and US airlines will each operate 12 flights per week, totaling 24 flights.
In addition to the increase in the number of flights, the number of operating airlines has also risen from 4 to 7, including Air China, Capital Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Hainan Airlines, Sichuan Airlines, and Xiamen Airlines.
"Los Angeles emerges as the big winner in China's increased flights"
China Eastern Airlines: Shanghai Pudong to Los Angeles flights
Xiamen Airlines: Xiamen to Los Angeles flights
China Southern Airlines: Additional flight added to the existing Guangzhou to Los Angeles route
In addition to the existing once-weekly flights, a second flight has been added.
“China Eastern Airlines applies for additional Pudong-Los Angeles flights”
According to the application, China Eastern Airlines plans to operate the following routes between May 20, 2023, and October 28, 2023:
Outbound:
MU587 Shanghai Pudong to New York JFK, operating on Mondays and Tuesdays, aircraft type: 773
MU583 Shanghai Pudong to Los Angeles, operating on Saturdays, aircraft type: 773
Inbound:
MU588 New York JFK to Shanghai Pudong, operating on Mondays and Wednesdays, aircraft type: 773
MU586 Los Angeles to Shanghai Pudong, operating on Sundays, aircraft type: 773
Among these routes, MU583/MU586 from Shanghai Pudong to Los Angeles is the application for additional flights.
“Xiamen Airlines applies for additional Xiamen-Los Angeles flights”
According to the application, Xiamen Airlines plans to operate the following China-US routes between May 30, 2023, and October 28, 2023:
Outbound:
MF829 Xiamen to Los Angeles, operating on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, aircraft type: 787
Inbound:
MF830 Los Angeles to Xiamen, operating on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, aircraft type: 787
Among these routes, MF829 on Tuesdays and MF830 on Wednesdays are the applications for additional flights.
“Air China applies for additional Beijing-New York flights”
According to the application, Air China has applied for the following additions between May 27, 2023, and October 28, 2023:
Outbound: CA981 Beijing Capital to New York Kennedy, operating on Saturdays, aircraft type: 777-300ER or 747-8
Inbound: CA982 New York Kennedy to Beijing Capital, operating on Saturdays, aircraft type: 777-300ER or 747-8
For a long time, the China-US route did not see any increase in flights, and ticket prices remained high. Before the May Day holiday, economy class tickets for direct flights from the US to China were often priced at over 30,000 yuan, but now they have dropped to below 10,000 yuan.
On Qunar platform, the price for a direct flight from Shanghai to Los Angeles on May 20 is 8,235 yuan, and for the summer period, it is 11,785 yuan, while previously the price for the summer period was around 15,000 yuan.
The price reductions are not limited to the China-US route. According to the Flight Manager App, after the May Day holiday, the lowest tax-inclusive price for a direct flight from Guangzhou to Bangkok starts from 327 yuan, from Chongqing to Bangkok starts from 478 yuan, and from Shanghai to Bangkok starts from 654 yuan. In terms of Japan and South Korea, popular flight tickets have also dropped to below 1,000 yuan. The lowest tax-inclusive price for a direct flight from Beijing to Seoul is 913 yuan, from Beijing to Osaka is 943 yuan, and from Qingdao to Seoul is 679 yuan. This is good news for passengers traveling between China and the US using the transfer method…
Efficient Customs Clearance Restored Nationwide
To further facilitate the movement of domestic and foreign personnel entering and exiting the country, as of midnight on May 15, 2023, all ports across the country have fully restored efficient customs clearance.
Individuals meeting the following criteria are eligible for expedited customs clearance: Chinese citizens holding a valid People’s Republic of China ordinary passport, Hong Kong and Macau Pass, Taiwan Pass, Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macau Residents, Taiwan Compatriot Permit (valid for 5 years), and Multiple Entry and Exit Permit (valid for multiple entries within one year).
Foreigners holding foreign passports and permanent resident permits, foreign electronic passports, and foreign residents with a valid residence permit of at least 6 months, Chinese crew members working on regular international flights, and foreign crew members who are visa-exempt upon entry or have obtained 1-year or longer flight crew or employment visas or residence permits are also eligible.
Currently, there are 113 fast-track channels at the Beijing ports, including 29 in Terminal 2 of the Capital Airport, 38 in Terminal 3, and 46 in Daxing International Airport. Starting from May 15, 2023, all 68 border inspection fast-track channels in Fujian ports will be fully restored and operational, providing a more optimized entry and exit experience and smoother cross-strait personnel exchanges.
Chongqing Resumes Flights to Kuala Lumpur and Moscow
The Chongqing to Kuala Lumpur route will be operated by Xiamen Airlines using the Boeing B738 aircraft. The airline plans to operate four flights per week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. The flight duration is approximately 4 hours and 45 minutes. The outbound flight, MF8687, is scheduled to depart from Chongqing at 08:30 and arrive in Kuala Lumpur at 13:30 (local time). The return flight, MF8688, is scheduled to depart from Kuala Lumpur at 14:25 and arrive in Chongqing at 19:10 (local time).
The Chongqing to Moscow route will be operated by Tianjin Airlines using the Airbus A330 wide-body aircraft. The airline plans to operate two flights per week on Mondays and Fridays. The flight duration is approximately 9 hours. The outbound flight, GS7941, is scheduled to depart from Chongqing at 1:30 and arrive in Moscow at 5:30 (local time). The return flight, GS7942, is scheduled to depart from Moscow at 12:25 and arrive in Chongqing at 1:35 the next day (local time).
Hainan Airlines to Increase International Flights
