CHINA EASTERN AIRLINES: Sydney–Nanjing and Sydney–Wuhan direct flights resume

This Shanghai-based airline is returning to direct flights using an Airbus A330 with the latest 1-2-1 business flatbeds to service routes between Sydney and Nanjing and Wuhan. The services will each operate 3 times a week.

The flights are as detailed below

• Sydney – Nanjing from 19 July 12 noon on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday
• Sydney – Wuhan from 17 July, 11:20 am on Monday, Thursday and Saturday

Besides being the reputed birthplace of COVID-19, Wuhan is the largest city in central China and the capital of Hubei province. Nanjing (formaly known as Nanking) is the capital and historic centre, and megacity of Jiangsu province, and the capital city of China for a time when the Republic was formed and the Ming Dynasty came to an end.

China Eastern and Qantas alliance

China Eastern operates an alliance with Qantas, so if a Qantas Frequent Fluer you will have lounge access detailed here. Also, note that it makes a difference who you are booked with. MU is China Eastern’s airline code. China Eastern is also part of the SkyTeam airline alliance:

Other China Eastern routes

The airline has daily flights between Sydney and Shanghai (Airbus A350), and Melbourne and Shanghai (Boeing 787). Both these planes feature a Business Class with privacy doors, and the first row is classified as ‘Business Plus’, with larger screens, more space, a mini-bar and companion seating.

2PAXfly Takeout

Qantas will resume flying from Sydney to Shanghai from October 2023.

It’s good to see Chinese airlines ramping up their services to Australia. I’m sure a bunch of Chinese Australians will be happy, as will Australian tourist operators who pre-pandemic relied on the tourist traffic from China.