Tag Archives: Shanghai

Virgin Atlantic relaunches flights to Shanghai

Virgin Atlantic Airways Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner G-VNYL (msn 37981) SEA (Bruce Drum). Image: 104713.

Virgin Atlantic is restarting its much-anticipated flights to Shanghai, re-establishing essential business and leisure connections between the United Kingdom and China.  The daily service resumed on May 1, 2023.

The move comes following a relaxation in travel restrictions between the two countries, which sees the borders reopening to foreign nationals for the first time since December 23, 2020. Shanghai is Virgin Atlantic’s final route to be re-instated following the global pandemic, having been impacted by suspensions and closures since February 1, 2020.

Virgin Atlantic’s Shanghai flights will continue to operate on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. The return to China will complement the rest of Virgin Atlantic’s global route network which includes the USA & Caribbean, South Africa, Nigeria and India. The airline’s Tel Aviv service has doubled capacity this summer, operating a double daily service.  New routes to the Maldives and Turks and Caicos will also commence later this year.

Top Copyright Photo: Virgin Atlantic Airways Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner G-VNYL (msn 37981) SEA (Bruce Drum). Image: 104713.

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Volume 1

Swiss to resume passenger services to Shanghai

Swiss International Air Lines Boeing 777-300 ER HB-JNJ (msn 62755) PAE (Nick Dean). Image: 941193.

Swiss International Air Lines will resume its passenger services between Zurich and Shanghai on March 3, 2023. One weekly flight is currently planned on the route for the month of March, which will then be expanded to three weekly frequencies from April onwards. 

The flights will generally be operated using Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, or alternatively Airbus A340-300. 

Shanghai (Swiss)

Swiss suspended its previous scheduled passenger services between Zurich and Shanghai in April 2022 in view of the travel restrictions imposed in response to the coronavirus pandemic, and its services on the route have since been limited to cargo-only flights.

In addition to resuming its Zurich-Shanghai passenger flights, Swiss will also be increasing its service to and from Hong Kong from five to six weekly frequencies in the 2023 summer schedules.

Top Copyright Photo: Swiss International Air Lines Boeing 777-300 ER HB-JNJ (msn 62755) PAE (Nick Dean). Image: 941193.

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British Airways announces the resumption of flights to Mainland China

After a two-year absence, British Airways has announced it will resume flights between the UK and mainland China. Flights to Shanghai will commence on April 23 and Beijing on June 3. 

British Airways first flew to China in 1980 and continued to do so until the pandemic. The airline has been working hard to reintroduce these important routes to enable customers to reunite with family and friends.

Chinese Cabin Crew Wing CeremonyTaken: 27th May 2016Picture by: Stuart Bailey / British Airways

From April 23, flights will operate daily between London Heathrow and Shanghai Pudong International Airport – flight numbers BA168/BA169. From June 3, flights will operate four times per week between London Heathrow and Beijing Daxing Airport – flight numbers BA88/89.

Schedule:

Flight NumberDay of weekDeparture AirportDeparture TimeArrival AirportArrival Time 
London-Shanghai Service from 23rd April 2023 
BA169DailyLondon Heathrow1225Shanghai Pudong0755^ 
BA168DailyShanghai Pudong1100London Heathrow1825 
London-Beijing service from 3rd June 2023 
BA89Mon, Tue, Thu, SatLondon Heathrow1505Beijing Daxing0935^ 
BA88Tue, Wed, Fri, SunBeijing Daxing1120London Heathrow1730 

^arrives 1 day later

*Schedule is effective from 23rd April and 3rd June  2023 and subject to operational change and regulatory approval. 

Top Copyright Photo: British Airways Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner G-ZBKK (msn 38627) AMS (Ton Jochems). Image: 960012.

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