China is open to international tourism
After three years of border restrictions, China has fully reopened to foreign visitors – including tourists. On 15 March 2023, the country resumed issuing all categories of visas for foreigners. Travelers entering China are still required to take a Covid test 48 hours before departure and to fill in the results in their customs health declaration forms.
Transiting through Chinese airports is permitted.
Please note that the official travel advisory for the People’s Republic of China issued by the US State Department recommends reconsidering any travel to the country, including Hong Kong and Macao due to arbitrary enforcement of local laws. There is a risk of exit bans and wrongful detention of foreign nationals by the Chinese government. Travelers may be detained without access to their country’s consular services and may be subjected to prolonged interrogations and extended detention without due process of law.
Arriving in China
- If you are flying to China from abroad, you will most likely land at one of its biggest international airportsits main international airport — Beijing
PEK
, Hong KongHKG
, ShanghaiPVG
, and GuangzhouCAN
.
These are also the best (and the cheapest) airports to fly into China. As they are used by many airlines serving the same routes, the competition for passengers is fierce – with decreased airfare as a result. - Once in China, take advantage of frequent intercity flights operated by domestic airlines such as China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Air China, Hainan Air, Beijing Capital Airlines, Grand China Air, Lucky Air, Shanghai Airlines, Spring Airlines, Sichuan Airlines, and Tianjin Airlines. Those in-country carriers typically offer lower fares, operate from smaller airports located closer to city centers (you save on ground transportation), and provide flexible schedules – with a wide range of departure times.
- Planning to explore the region? Popular destinations near China can be easily reached with regional low-cost carriers (LCCs) by the likes of AirAsia, Bangkok Airways, Batik Air, Cebu Pacific, Jeju Air, Scoot, Tigerair Taiwan, and VietJet Air. If you have a layover in China and plan to fly only a short distance to one of its neighboring countries, these budget airlines are an excellent way to save money. However, the “no-frills” carrier may not provide free checked baggage allowance, complimentary food, in-flight entertainment systems, and fast customer support. You may not even get to choose your seats, unless you pay extra.
Airports of China
What is the best time to book flights to China?
The best time to book flights to China is between 2 to 8 months before your travel date. The prime booking window (the most likely time to find the bargains) for China flights is 4–6 months before takeoff. During this period, you should monitor airfares by setting alerts on popular flight search websites. Book when you notice a significant drop in price.
Why do prices fluctuate?
Airfare prices for China flights fluctuate due to demand, seasonal trends, and competition, causing numerous price drops and increases as your departure date approaches. The airlines use sophisticated revenue management systems to adjust pricing for optimal seat sales. Generally, as seats are sold, prices tend to become more expensive.
Don’t book too early
Most airlines start selling their flights 9–12 months in advance. However, booking a ticket too early in that window can be an expensive mistake – airlines typically start by setting prices at a relatively high level to capture early demand from those willing to pay more to secure their seats
Prime Booking Window
For long-haul flights to China, the best time to book your ticket is around 4–6 months before departure. It is the “Prime Booking Window” – after some seats have already been sold, airlines start dropping prices to stimulate demand. They may also offer promotions and sales. This is the ideal time for bargain hunting.
Fly on weekdays
It makes a difference which day of the week you board the plane. Midweek travel (especially Tuesdays and Wednesdays) is less busy and likely cheaper than flying on weekends. Airlines charge higher prices for weekend travel due to the high demand from people going on short getaways or visiting family and friends.
Opt for early morning flights
To save on airfare, select a late night or early morning (1–5 am) flight. Airlines often offer discounts on their first flight of the morning (up to 15-20%) simply because of lower demand – most people are not willing to go to the airport so early. Moreover, morning flights tend to have fewer delays, and airport queues are usually shorter.
Set alerts
Track flight price fluctuations for your desired routes to China using email alerts on search sites like Google Flights to catch price drops. These drops will be your chance to book the flight at its best price.
Avoid last minute
Avoid booking flights to China less than 30 days before takeoff. Prices spike sharply then, as airlines are taking advantage of any last-minute travelers who have no choice but to pay up (learn more about last-minute pricing).
Peak seasons are expensive
Peak travel seasons are always expensive – due to higher base prices set by airlines for dates they expect to be popular. Try to avoid the high season during summer and major holidays (including holidays in China), and check the best time to fly to China. If you must travel during peak times, book a bit earlier – 6 to 8 months in advance.
Airlines flying to China | 9 Air Co, Aeroflot, Air Algerie, Air Astana, Air Canada, Air China, Air France, Air Macau, Air New Zealand, Air Serbia, Air Tanzania, AirAsia, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Batik Air, Beijing Capital Airlines, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, British Airways, Cambodia Angkor Air, Cathay Pacific, Cebu Pacific, Chengdu Airlines, China Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, China United Airlines, Colorful Guizhou Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Emirates, Egypt Air, El Al Israel Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airlines, EVA Air, Fiji Airways, Finnair, FlexFlight, FlyArystan, Fuzhou Airlines, Garuda Indonesia, Grand China Air, Hainan Airlines, Hebei Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, IndiGo, Iraqi Airways, ITA Airways, Japan Airlines, Jeju Air, Jiangxi Airlines ,Juneyao Air, Kalitta Air, Kenya Airways, KLM, Korean Air, Kuwait Airways, Lanmei Airlines, LATAM, Loong Air, LOT, Lucky Air, Lufthansa, Mahan Air, Mongolian Airlines, Myanmar Airways, National Airlines, Neos Air, Nok Air, Oman Air, Okay Airways, Pakistan International Airlines, Philippine Airlines, Philippines AirAsia, Qantas, Qingdao Airlines, Qatar Airways, Royal Air Philippines, Royal Brunei Airlines, SAS, Saudia, Scoot, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Sichuan Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Shanghai Airlines, Spring Airlines, Solomon Airlines, South African Airways, SriLankan Airlines, Suparna Airlines, SWISS, Tap Air Portugal, Thai Airways, Thai Lion Air, Tibet Airlines, Tianjin Airlines, Tigerair Taiwan, Turkish Airlines, Turkmenistan Airlines, Uni Air, United Airlines, Uzbekistan Airways, VietJet Air, Vietnam Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, West Air, WestJet, Xiamen Airlines |
---|---|
Airlines of China (full-service) | China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Air China, Hong Kong Airlines, Hainan Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Sichuan Airlines, Shanghai Airlines, XiamenAir, Shandong Airlines, Juneyao Airlines |
Airlines of China (low-cost) | China United Airlines, Beijing Capital Airlines, Spring Airlines, 9 Air, Chengdu Airlines, China Express Airlines, Grand China Air, Colorful Guizhou Airlines, Fuzhou Airlines, Jiangxi Air, Loong Air, Lucky Air, Okay Airways, Qingdao Airlines, Suparna Airlines, Tianjin Airlines, Tibet Airlines, West Air |
Main airports in China | Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) — Beijing Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) — Hong Kong Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) — Shanghai Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN) — Guangzhou Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport (XMN) — Xiamen Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH) — Hangzhou Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport (CKG) — Chongqing Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU) — Chengdu Kunming Changshui International Airport (KMG) — Kunming |
Regular price (roundtrip) | ✈ €800 – €1200 (from Europe) ✈ $1100 – $1600 (from USA) |
Flight hacks | 40% — 80% off regular fare |
Airline discounts | Discounted airline tickets to China (student/family/seniors/military) |
Top gateway cities in China
China has four large international airports. Your first contact with the country will most likely be at one of these gateway cities: Beijing (a top tourist city with the biggest airport in China), Hong Kong (with many English speakers, and familiar standards of life, it’s a good city to “acclimatize” to China), Shanghai (144-hour visa-free stay policy makes it a great option for a stopover), and Guangzhou (one of China’s oldest cities, with a convenient ferry transport to Hong Kong and Macau).
These are also the largest hubs of China’s air travel, offering plenty of choices for domestic flights to all major cities within the country.
Know your time zone
When checking flights and airport transfer times, ensure you know the local time zones. The departure/arrival times on your plane ticket and boarding pass are based on the time zone of the departure/arrival airport – this also applies to the connecting (layover) airports.
Being almost as wide as the continental United States, China geographically covers 5 time zones. However, China has only one official time zone across the country – CST (China Standard Time) – the decision made by the Communist Party to enhance “national unity”.
CST is also known as Beijing Time and is 8 hours ahead of UTC (it means it’s 13 hours ahead of New York, and 2 hours behind Melbourne). Unlike western countries, China does not follow daylight saving time.
Download a VPN app
When it comes to media censorship, China is one of the world leaders – it seems to have a problem with freedom of speech and certain online content. In the last years, thousands of websites have been banned temporarily or permanently, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Vimeo, Telegram, and Wikipedia. Google and most of its free tools (Google Search, Gmail, Google Maps, Google Drive, etc) will not be available when traveling in China – this will also affect any app or website that uses Google login.
Solution? If you want to keep access to your favorite websites while traveling in China, you should download a VPN app for your smartphone and laptop. By hiding your location, it will allow you to bypass government censorship and freely access all blocked content. Make sure to install it before you arrive – VPN websites and Google Play are blocked, so you can’t download any Android apps when in China.
Duty-free rules
China is serious about the duty-free concession. There is a limit for bringing in certain items. As of 2024, alcoholic beverages for personal consumption – such as wine or spirits (more than 12% alcohol) – cannot exceed 1.5 liters per person, and you can carry only 400 cigarettes, or 100 cigars, or 500g of other tobacco products. You are also only allowed to bring gifts up to a value of RMB 2,000 (~ USD 280) per person, and a maximum of RMB 20,000 in cash (~ USD 2,800).
Anything above those limits must be declared at the airport.
Flight sales and promotions to China
Flight promotions, ticket sales, student discounts, and airline promo codes are your best bet for saving on airfares to China. These special offers can save hundreds of dollars or give you free travel perks like seat upgrades or extra checked baggage.
OTAs miss out on most sales
Airlines flying to China often use sales and promotions as key marketing tools to attract and retain customers while boosting seat occupancy. However, when you search for airfares on popular OTA websites like Expedia, Kayak, or Skyscanner, you won’t find these heavily discounted tickets there. Airlines often reserve the most aggressive or enticing promotions for their own direct sales channels — primarily their websites.
How to find China promotions?
To take advantage of promotional flights to China — including special codes, vouchers, student discounts, and even flights discounted by up to 50% — your best strategy is to check airline websites consistently. You can also follow their social media channels and subscribe to newsletters from leading carriers.
The catch
That being said, finding truly valuable promotions can be tricky, as the uncomfortable details are often hidden in the fine print. Many sales are limited to unpopular routes, with inconvenient layovers or blackout dates. Some promotions come with strings attached or conditions that are difficult to match.
Top promotions from 100+ airlines
That’s where our team steps in. We do all the heavy lifting for you, keeping track of all ongoing sales and promotions from more than 100 airlines! We vet each sale, discount, or promotion and ensure that only quality offers with authentic value make it onto our final list.
China flight promotions can often be found among our list of best airline discounts — emailed weekly to 110,000 Air Traveler Club subscribers.
Flights to China from United States and Canada
- There are no direct flights from the US or Canada to China. However, most major hubs in Asia have non-stop flights to China, as do some larger airports in the Middle East – your journey will have at least one stop. There are plenty of direct routes to China from major North American cities like Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Washington D.C. in the US or Toronto and Vancouver in Canada. Most travelers from the US and Canada arrive at one of big international airports in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Xiamen, and Chengdu. Non-stop flights between the US/Canada and China are operated by Air Canada, American Airlines, United Airlines, Air China, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Hainan Airlines, and Xiamen Airlines. The average direct flight time between North America and China is between 12 and 16 hours.
- China is well-served via one-stop flights from North America. Flights to China with one layover depart from most major North American airports, including Atlanta
ATL
, DallasDFW
, DenverDEN
, ChicagoORD
, Los AngelesLAX
, Las VegasDFW
, MiamiMIA
, SeattleSEA
, HoustonIAH
, New YorkJFK
, and San FranciscoSFO
in the United States and TorontoYYZ
, VancouverYVR
, CalgaryLAS
, and MontrealYUL
in Canada. - The best airlines to fly to China from the US and Canada are: Air Canada, Air China, Alaska Airlines, Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, EVA Air, Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, United Airlines, and Xiamen Airlines. They are top full-service carriers, offering exceptional customer service, in-flight comfort, a generous checked baggage allowance, and reliable customer support channels – all included in the ticket price.
China from US & Canada.
Ticket prices in March 2024.
View today’s prices or learn how to cut costs with flexible dates:
China flight deals. How to book the best fares?
Our go-to solution for finding and booking the best deals to China is Google Flights. Whenever we send SuperDeals to 110,000 members of Air Traveler Club, we include links to Google Flights so each deal can be secured immediately.
Google Flights’ powerful engine simplifies deal hunting. It searches and compares flight prices available from airlines and online travel agencies (OTAs) such as Expedia, Orbitz, or Trip.com. However, it doesn’t sell flights directly to travelers—instead, it passes users on to the airline or OTA to book directly with them.
How to know if the China deal we sent you is actually saving you money? One of Google Flights’ standout features is a color-coded bar underneath the booking options. This bar provides a visual representation of the price compared to the typical fare (for the same route, class, and airline)—indicating whether it is lower, average, or higher. If the marker falls within the green zone (“price is low”), don’t hesitate to secure this deal as it is significantly — 40% to 80% — cheaper than average and unlikely to drop further.
If you see that your flight has the marker within the orange zone (“price is typical”) or in the red zone (“price is higher”), it means that the deal has already ‘expired’. Airfare deals often ‘expire’ because airlines frequently move cheaper flights further away from the departure date. This is when the Google Flights Price Graph tool comes in handy:
Using this tool, you can experiment with various dates and trip lengths. This perfect deal to China may still be available — but for different date combinations.
The cheapest time to fly to China
Spring and autumn (the low season) are the best times to visit China if you are on a budget. The cheapest flights to China can be found from November through February – while avoiding public holidays like Chinese New Year. The weather is comfortable, with moderate temperatures.
If you are looking for warmer weather, you will find the cheapest fares to China in early Spring (March – April) or late fall (September – October).
There is no Uber nor Grab in China
Uber launched in China in early 2014, but due to difficulties in gaining a meaningful market share, it decided to take a passive role by selling its local operations to DiDi. The popular Asian super-app Grab never entered the China market.
However, getting around Chinese cities is quite convenient thanks to the DiDi Rider app, which works similarly to Uber and Grab. DiDi Rider is the main ride-hailing app in China, letting you hail a private car or a taxi and automatically pay the fare when your ride ends. Only registered drivers with a special license can offer rides in accordance with the law introduced by The Ministry of Transport.
You can download the DiDi Rider app for Android or iOS before arriving in China.
Long waiting times when calling the helpline?
Social media is usually a faster way to reach the airline when a problem arises. Use Twitter or Facebook Messenger to contact the airline customer service and get a response and solution within minutes (see detailed guides for American Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, and others).
When it comes to Twitter there’s one more trick to get in touch with the airline faster: mention the airline in a tweet about your issue (add “@airline_handle”, for example: “@CEAirglobal” for China Eastern Airlines). The social media team will often notice it immediately, ask you for a direct message, and respond privately.
Plan for airline delays
Unfortunately, flight delays in China are not uncommon, so be prepared. If you are booking a domestic flight that connects to an international flight, make sure you’ve got plenty of time before your international flight takes off. This can save you a lot of stress on the day of travel.
Always keep at least one change of clothes and a toothbrush in your carry-on – just in case your flight gets seriously delayed, and you will have to spend the night in the hotel.
Flights to China from UK, Germany, France, Netherlands and other countries in Europe
- There are no direct flights from Europe to China — you’ll need to get a connecting flight from elsewhere in the Middle East or in Asia. Direct flights from Europe to China are around 8 hours long if you fly from Warsaw, or nearly 12 hours if you depart from London. Other important European hubs with direct connections to China are Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Helsinki, Madrid, Milan, Paris, Rome, and Vienna. These non-stop long-haul flights are operated by large carriers such as Air China, Austrian Airlines, Beijing Capital Airlines, British Airways, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Finnair, Hainan Airlines, LOT, Lufthansa, Neos Air, Virgin Atlantic, and Xiamen Airlines.
- Airlines that frequently fly from the UK, Germany, France, and other European countries to China include Air China, Air France, Austrian Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Emirates, KLM, LOT, Lufthansa, SSAS, SWISS, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines, and Virgin Atlantic.
- Consider departure airports in neighboring countries to increase your chance of spotting the best deal. Especially look for large airports that serve as hubs for multiple airlines. For example, if you live in Western Europe, check air tickets to China from Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, Madrid, Paris, and Rome. Leverage frequent promotions from European budget carriers like RyanAir, EasyJet, and Eurowings to reach a major hub; from there, take a cheaper long-haul flight to your final destination, potentially saving hundreds of euros.
- These major European airports are excellent departure points for trips to China: London
LHR
and ManchesterMAN
in the United Kingdom, FrankfurtFRA
and MunichMUC
in Germany, ParisCDG
and NiceNCE
in France, AmsterdamAMS
in the Netherlands, MadridMAD
and BarcelonaBCN
in Spain, RomeFCO
and MilanoMXP
in Italy, BrusselsBRU
in Belgium, CopenhagenOSL
in Denmark, OsloOSL
in Norway, StockholmARN
in Sweden, ZurichZRH
in Switzerland, LisbonLIS
in Portugal, ViennaVIE
in Austria, WarsawWAW
in Poland, PraguePRG
in the Czech Republic, and DublinDUB
in Ireland.
China from Europe.Flight schedule and ticket prices.
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Best aircraft for long-haul flights to China
For long-haul flights, the aircraft type can make a huge difference to your overall comfort on board — especially if you’re flying economy. The best aircraft have comfier seats with more legroom, USB charging ports, WiFi connectivity, superior entertainment systems, and a better passenger experience in every cabin.
When booking a flight to China, it’s worth spending a few minutes researching the type of aircraft you’ll be flying on. Look for airlines that use wide-body planes designed for long-haul flights, such as:
- Airbus A350. Best choice. Known for its advanced air filtration and higher cabin pressure, which enhance overall passenger well-being. Operated by Air France, Finnair, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, and Turkish Airlines.
- Airbus A380. Offers unparalleled spaciousness and amenities like onboard lounges and shower spas in premium classes. Used by airlines such as Emirates, Lufthansa, British Airways, Air France, and Etihad Airways.
- Boeing 767. Often features a 2-3-2 seating configuration in economy, reducing the number of middle seats. The largest operators are based in the US (Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Eastern Airlines), while in Europe it is used by Austrian Airlines, Condor, and TUI Airways.
- Boeing 777. Renowned for its wide cabin, it offers a sense of spaciousness and often includes advanced in-flight entertainment options. Used by British Airways, KLM, SWISS, and Turkish Airlines.
- 787 Dreamliner. Celebrated for its larger windows and dynamic lighting, designed to help regulate passengers’ circadian rhythms and reduce jet lag. Operated by British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, KLM, LOT, and Norwegian Air.
Check different departure airports
Consider neighboring cities when choosing the departure airport – especially look for larger cities with airports that serve as hubs for multiple airlines.
For example, if you live in West Europe, check prices for flights departing from Paris, London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Rome, or Vienna. In 9 out of 10 cases, the cheapest flight to China will depart from one of these hubs, and it may be €500 less or more than your first choice. Yes, you may have to fly a few hundred kilometers to this hub, but low-cost airlines like EasyJet, RyanAir, or WizzAir will happily take you there for €50 – €100.
Use a similar tactic if you depart from the US or another region. It’s one of the best ways to save hundreds on trips.
Last-minute flights to China. The real cost of convenience.
Last-minute flights are often touted as a great way to save money, but the reality is far from it. Booking last-minute flights to China almost always never works out.
Based on years of research, the airlines know what people are willing to pay for specific flights and dates. To make the most money, they will sell their cheapest fares first and then increase the prices right before the flight to take advantage of these travelers who are willing to pay the premium price for late booking.
Occasionally, airlines can offer last-minute deals to fill the remaining seats, but these are for unusual times and unpopular places. Popular destinations and dates tend to sell out quickly.
Planning ahead is key to securing a good deal on your flight. Last-minute flight deals are hard to come by, so as soon as you have a tentative travel timeline, book your flight. The earlier you book, the more likely you are to save money. If you are looking for a good deal, the best time to book your flight to China is 2-8 months before the takeoff.
Airlines of China
The People’s Republic of China has three main state-owned airlines, also known as the “Big Three”: Air China, China Eastern Airlines, and China Southern Airlines. Together, they handle nearly half of the Chinese air traffic. Air China is a member of Star Alliance which enables codesharing, networking and sharing of operational facilities with other member airlines. Similarly, China Eastern and China Southern are members of the SkyTeam Alliance.
The fourth largest airline in China (in terms of fleet size) – Hainan Airlines – is one of the most recommended airlines to fly both internationally and domestically in China. It is certified by SkyTrax as a 5-Star Airline, which proves the highest quality of its onboard product and staff service.
Most short-haul and medium-haul routes from/to China are operated by its smaller airlines, often with service limited to one region – such as Shanghai Airlines, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Xiamen Airlines, and Sichuan Airlines.
There are also many budget carriers (AKA no-frills airlines) that offer flights at much lower prices in comparison to full-service airlines such as Air China or Hainan – Spring Airlines, Chengdu Airlines, China Express Airlines, Colorful Guizhou Airlines, Fuzhou Airlines, Lucky Air, Okay Airways, Suparna Airlines, Tianjin Airlines, West Air, etc. Because budget airlines manage affordable tickets by cutting down on their operation costs, they may not provide free baggage allowance, inflight refreshments and meals, or Wi-Fi and onboard entertainment. In most cases, their tickets are fixed and non-refundable in case of no show-up or cancellation.
Flights to China from Australia and New Zealand
- Australia and New Zealand offer robust flight networks to key APAC locations, China included. While domestic carriers like Qantas, Jetstar Airways, Virgin Australia, and Air New Zealand provide solid options, several major international airlines also serve these routes. These include ANA, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Garuda Indonesia, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Malaysia Airlines, Philippine Airlines, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, and Thai Airways — expanding your choices for travel between Australasia and Asia.
There are no direct flights from Australia or New Zealand to China. You’ll need a layover in one of the major hubs in Asia. - Airlines have different pricing strategies for different routes. A flight to China could be significantly cheaper from Sydney than from Melbourne, depending on airline partnerships, demand, and even time of year. Compare fares from different international airports in Australia: Sydney
SYD
, BrisbaneBNE
, MelbourneMEL
, PerthPER
, AdelaideADL
, CairnsCNS
, Gold CoastOOL
, CanberraCBR
, DarwinDRW
, HobartHBA
, Alice SpringsASP
, and in New Zealand: AucklandAKL
, WellingtonWLG
, ChristchurchCHC
, QueenstownZQN
, DunedinDUD
, and HamiltonHLZ
. - If you’re looking to save, consider flying from Australia or New Zealand to a primary Asian hub, then catch a connecting flight to China with a regional budget airline such as AirAsia, Bangkok Airways, Batik Air, Cebu Pacific, Jeju Air, Scoot, Tigerair Taiwan, and VietJet Air.
For the initial leg of your trip, full-service airlines such as Qantas or Virgin Atlantic offer premium comfort and exceptional service, albeit at a premium price. However, many Asian airlines, including budget carriers, operate out of Australia and frequently feature sales and promotions. For instance, AirAsia runs deals to Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore; Cebu Pacific to Manila; Scoot to Singapore; VietJet Air to Ho Chi Minh City; Jetstar to Seoul, Singapore, and Tokyo; Bamboo Airways to Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Beijing; Batik Air to Jakarta and Singapore.
Australia & New Zealand to China.Flight ticket prices today.
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Booking group flights to China
Flights are cheaper when purchased in bulk rather than as individual tickets. Booking group flights to China can be a cost-effective option for a school trip, family reunion, or corporate group traveling to a conference.
To qualify for the special group rate, the group must usually have at least 10 passengers. Discounts depend on the airline, group size, and travel dates, and typically range from 5% to 20% off the regular airfare.
Airlines and flight search websites typically limit automatic group bookings to 10 passengers. This limit reflects the complexity of managing larger groups, which require personalized service and more time to coordinate. To get the price quote for your group, you’ll need to contact the airline or a travel agent directly.
Most airlines have a group booking form or phone number (see examples at Emirates and Qantas). Fill out the form, and the airline will come back to you with the proposed group rate. If your group is large and a scheduled flight cannot accommodate everyone, the airline may offer you a charter flight.
Additionally, there are various perks that your group may be eligible for:
- free seats (complimentary tickets for every 10 or 20 passengers that book together)
- free checked baggage allowance
- dedicated group check-in counter at the airport
- cabin crew who speak your group’s language
- flexible booking terms (that allow changes without fees)
Booking group flights to China is similar to booking individual flights. The main difference is that you’ll need to provide personal information for all passengers, and the airline may request additional details, such as meal preferences or accommodations for disabled travelers. A deposit – typically 10-50% of the total cost – may be required to secure the booking. However, some airlines offer deferred payment options where you can secure a reservation with a booking fee and pay the balance later.
If you’re open to different airlines or want more personalized service, a travel agent may be a better choice. Travel agents may have access to discounted group rates to China and can help with logistics and scheduling.
“Hot seats” on long-haul flights
Those days seat selection is considered an optional, extra paid service – seats with extra legroom (front and exit rows) are usually priced higher. However, if you’re about to take a long-haul flight to China, those “hot seats” are worth considering – expect to pay $50-$100, which is much less than upgrading to Premium Economy.
If you want to choose your seats, do this early (ideally during the booking) for a more extensive selection of available options.
Flights to China from Bali, Bangkok, Delhi, Dubai, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Singapore, Seoul, Tokyo, and other major hubs in Asia
- Asia is probably the best continent for short-haul and mid-haul flying. The sheer scale of this most populous region on Earth is reflected in the type of aircraft operating many shorter routes: intra-Asia flyers benefit from comfortable, wide-bodied aircraft by the likes of Boeing 777, 787 or Airbus A350, A330, and A380. When booking your flight to China look for these bigger planes as they will almost always give you the best experience in every cabin, including better seat pitches, higher ceilings, and larger overhead bin space.
- Asia is also home to most of the world’s best airlines. There are only ten airlines that received the prestigious 5-star mark of quality from Skytrax, and all of them are from Asia: ANA, Asiana Airlines, Cathay Pacific, EVA Air, Garuda Indonesia, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines. Choosing one of these airlines for your trip to China will guarantee a pleasant journey – delicious meals served during the flight, great in-flight entertainment, and above-average airline customer service.
- Asia is extremely well served by low-cost regional airlines. If you are visiting China and want to see several other countries on a tight budget, they often have great sales with rock-bottom prices, while still offering a relatively comfortable flight experience. Among the best Asian budget airlines you can book without hesitation are AirAsia, Cebu Pacific, Citilink, FlyDubai, Indigo, Jetstar Airways, Scoot, SpiceJet. The cons? Being no-frills airlines they may not provide free baggage allowance, inflight meals, or onboard entertainment. The departure times may also be quite inconvenient as they try to save money by flying at off-peak hours.
- Most major Asian airports have convenient and frequent flights to China — including Changi (Singapore), Dubai (UAE), Hong Kong (China), Incheon (Seoul, South Korea), Indira Gandhi (New Delhi, India), KLIA (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia), Narita (Tokyo, Japan), Denpasar (Bali, Indonesia), Soekarno–Hatta (Jakarta, Indonesia), Ninoy Aquino (Manila, Philippines), Suvarnabhumi (Bangkok, Thailand), Taoyuan (Taipei, Taiwan), and others.
China from major Asian airports.Flight prices in March 2024.
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Lost luggage prevention: Essential tips
Every year, airlines handle millions of bags and a small percentage never make it to their final destinations. Avoid lost luggage nightmares on your trip to China by removing old tags from previous flights on your suitcases – they can confuse baggage handlers and conveyor belt scanners. It’s also a good idea to label your luggage with your name, address, and phone number (both inside and outside the case) and attach a GPS-tracker device like Apple AirTag or Samsung SmartTag.
For peace of mind, consider purchasing travel insurance to cover the full value of your luggage, as airline liability usually doesn’t reflect the actual value of the baggage content.
“Book Flights Now, Pay Later” — is it worth it?
Booking a flight and paying for it later has recently become a popular trend in the travel industry, with many airlines offering delayed payment plans. They will allow you to make flight reservation to China now and then pay the bill in installments. But should you take advantage?
Book Now Pay Later (BNPL) plans are essentially short-term personal loans. By partnering with financial companies such as Affirm, Afterpay, PayPal Credit, Fly Now Pay Later, and Uplift, airlines can offer their loan services on the checkout page. When you book the flight with the BNPL option, the company pays the airline, and you repay the loan in installments over a set period (usually up to 24 months), with a set interest rate.
BNPL providers have varying terms and fees. Some may offer interest-free loans but have fees for late payments and require forced autoplay on your bank account, while others may have high annual percentage rates (up to 30-40% APR). There may also be transaction fees, down payment requirements, and many companies even run a credit check on the traveler.
Among the airlines that offer a “fly now, pay later” option are American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Qantas, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, British Airways, KLM, Lufthansa, Southwest, and Virgin Atlantic.
Is BNPL financing worth it? If paid off on time, interest-free delayed payment on your flight ticket to China can be a great way to free up your cash flow. However, there may be safer alternatives available – such as taking advantage of an introductory 0% interest offer on a credit card or using flight price “freezing” services like Hopper.
Proof of onward travel – a simple hack
Travelers who go on long trips often don’t have a set itinerary and fly on one-way tickets. The problem? For many APAC countries, proof of onward travel is a legal requirement. If you arrive at the airport without an onward ticket (from China to another country), you’ll either be forced to buy one online or forbidden from boarding the plane altogether.
The cheapest solution? Renting an onward ticket! Use the websites such as OneWayFly or OnwardTicket to get a flight reservation for a limited amount of time (usually 2 to 14 days). They work by actually booking you on a real flight out of China and giving you a confirmable flight reservation with a PNR (Passenger Name Record) under your name. After the time limit, your spot on the flight is automatically canceled. Such “temporary tickets” tend to cost anywhere from $10 to $20.
User Review
4.67 (877 votes)Flights to China
If you have specific travel dates, it's worth booking as soon as possible. The optimal time to book international flights to China is 2–8 months in advance, with a "prime booking window" at 4–6 months before departure for the best bargains.
In economy class, medium to long-haul flights to China range from $150 to $600, and can go up to $1,000 for routes exceeding 6,000 km. Round-trip bookings offer savings between 20% and 35%. Strategic planning like early booking, flying in low-season, booking directly with airlines, or chosing a route with a layover can save an additional 5–30%.
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About the author
Maksim Koval
Aviation industry expert, digital editor at Tiket2 since 2010, and the pioneering founder of the Air Traveler Club.
Maksim is a Bali-based seasoned travel writer, avid flyer, tinkerer, photographer, motorbiker, animal lover, and the truest evangelist of the company. His dedication to providing valuable insights and engaging content has established him as a trusted voice in the industry.
You can contact him via email at maksim[at]tiket2.com.