2023-11-24
Think about the time when even 100000 RMB couldn't buy a plane ticket back to China during the epidemic. Although the current flight is still much more expensive than before, it is still within an acceptable range.
However, on November 8th, the US Department of Transportation (DOT) approved all 35 new direct flights between China and the United States, including 11 flights from Air China, 9 flights from China Eastern Airlines, 7 flights from China Southern Airlines, 3 flights from Xiamen Airlines, 3 flights from Hainan Airlines, and 2 flights from Sichuan Airlines, totaling 35 flights. It is reported that US airlines have also submitted flight applications, and it is expected that direct flights between China and the United States will reach at least 70 flights per week by the end of March 2024.
The US Department of Commerce stated that the US Department of Transportation is seeking to continue ongoing dialogue with the Civil Aviation Administration of China to promote the reopening of the US China aviation service market.
China and the United States have increased their flight schedules multiple times throughout the year. According to the notice issued on August 11th, starting from September 1st, 2023, China Airlines can operate up to 18 scheduled passenger flights between the two countries per week. Starting from October 29, 2023, it will be further expanded to 24 round trips per week.
According to the Qunar Big Data Research Institute, "Although there is still a significant gap in flight volume compared to 2019, the latest increase is the second adjustment in flight frequency in the short term, indicating a trend for both sides to expand flight operations."
With the recovery of flight volume, the prices of direct flights between China and the United States have steadily decreased. For example, the ticket price for flights from Shanghai to Los Angeles started at around 15000 yuan (2050 US dollars) at the beginning of the year, dropped to 10000 yuan in the summer, and further dropped to about 8000 yuan in September. As of the latest query in November, the price has dropped to around 7000 yuan.
So, let's take a look at the flight information of major airlines together
China Eastern Airlines plans to add a total of 9 flights:
China United States
MU587 from Shanghai to New York operates twice a week (Monday and Tuesday)
MU583 from Shanghai to Los Angeles operates three times a week (on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays)
Starting from November 25th, MU583 will add new Monday and Saturday shifts, totaling 5 shifts per week
MU589 from Shanghai Pudong to San Francisco operates twice a week (on Fridays and Sundays)
USA China
MU588 from New York to Pudong, Shanghai operates twice a week (Monday and Wednesday)
MU586 from Los Angeles to Shanghai Pudong operates three times a week (Wednesday, Friday, Sunday)
Starting from November 25th, MU586 will add new Monday and Saturday shifts, totaling 5 shifts per week
MU590 from San Francisco to Shanghai Pudong operates twice a week (Monday and Saturday)
China Southern Airlines plans to add a total of 7 flights:
China United States
CZ699 from Guangzhou to New York operates once a week (on Thursdays)
CZ327 from Guangzhou to Los Angeles operates every Thursday (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday)
Starting from November 30th, CZ659 will add a new Thursday shift, totaling 2 shifts per week
USA China
CZ600 from New York to Guangzhou operates once a week (on Saturdays)
CZ328 from Los Angeles to Guangzhou operates every Thursday (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday)
Starting from December 1st, CZ660 will add Friday shifts, totaling 2 shifts per week
Hainan Airlines (HNA) plans to add a total of 3 flights:
China United States
HU729 from Beijing to Boston operates three classes per week (on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays)
USA China
Boston Seattle to Beijing HU730 operates three classes per week (on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays)
Air China plans to add a total of 11 flights:
China United States
CA987 from Beijing to Los Angeles (flight on Sunday)/CA983 (flight on Friday)
Starting from November 23, 2023, CA983 will add Thursday execution
Beijing to Dulles, Washington CA817 operates two shifts per week (on Tuesdays and Saturdays)
CA769 from Shenzhen to Los Angeles to be executed on Tuesday
CA981 from Beijing to New York operates three classes per week (on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays)
CA985 from Beijing to San Francisco operates two shifts per week (on Wednesdays and Saturdays)
USA China
Los Angeles to Beijing CA988 (Sunday)/CA984 (Friday)
Starting from November 23, 2023, CA984 will add Thursday execution
Beijing to Dulles, Washington CA818 operates two shifts per week (on Tuesdays and Saturdays)
CA770 from Los Angeles to Shenzhen to be executed on Tuesday
New York JFK Los Angeles Beijing CA982 operates three classes per week (on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays)
CA986 from San Francisco to Beijing operates two shifts per week (on Wednesdays and Saturdays)
Sichuan Airlines plans to add a total of 2 flights:
China United States
Chengdu Tianfu to Los Angeles 3U3837 operates two shifts per week (on Tuesdays and Fridays)
USA China
Los Angeles Hangzhou (technical shutdown) to Chengdu Tianfu 3U3838, two shifts per week (executed on Tuesdays and Fridays)
Xiamen Airlines (Xiamen Airlines) plans to add a total of 3 flights:
China United States
MF829 from Xiamen to Los Angeles operates every Thursday (Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday)
USA China
MF830 from Los Angeles to Xiamen operates every Thursday (Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday)
In addition to direct flights between China and the United States, good news has also come from the China Canada route. From December 13th to February 9th, Air Canada will add three weekly round-trip flights from Vancouver to Hong Kong (flight number AC21/22). This means that during this period, Air Canada will provide 10 direct flights from Vancouver to Hong Kong per week. These three new flights will operate every Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, departing from Vancouver at 23:15 pm and arriving in Hong Kong at 5:30 am local time. Every Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, passengers will have two different options for direct flights from Vancouver to Hong Kong.
Finally, Xiaobin sincerely hopes that everyone can safely arrive at their destination, reunite with family and friends, and wish everything smooth and successful!