China Eastern Airlines International Flights Hit Record High as China's Cultural and Tourism Market Heats Up

CEA (http://www.ceair.com/) is further expanding its international route network. Recently, it has successively launched direct flights from cities such as Geneva, Milan, and Copenhagen to Shanghai, while also increasing flight frequencies to major tourist destinations across Europe, North America, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and North Africa. Currently, CEA operates 229 international and regional routes, with an average of 3,052 weekly round-trip flights.

Passengers arriving in China with CEA can enjoy various cross-border conveniences. For example, those on CEA's "Shuttle Service" routes, such as Beijing-Shanghai, can enjoy the "Easy Boarding" service for free ticket changes and basic inflight Wi-Fi. Additionally, those transiting through Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) can use the "PVG-SHA Transfer" service for seamless cross-airport transfers between Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA) and Shanghai Pudong Airport without collecting their luggage. Moreover, its "Air-Rail Transport" service connects 48 cities across China, serving over 560,000 passengers from July to August.

Moreover, CEA has been enhancing its diversified service offerings. CEA's "Pets in Cabin" service, which is available on 17 domestic routes and at 15 airports within China, will extend to 31 airports and 110 routes starting in September, providing more options for pet-owning travelers. CEA's "Star Wing Escort" initiative dedicated to passengers with autism has created a safe and comfortable travel environment for nearly 60 passengers since its launch in June. Simultaneously, CEA's Unaccompanied Minor service has transitioned to a full-process self-service model, encompassing quota locking, escort information confirmation, payment, and ticketing. This service has experienced a 39.63% increase compared to the same period in 2024, with an average of 735 passengers served daily.

During the summer peak season of the Chinese aviation market in 2025, CEA has further explored the concept of "wonderful travel" through its "aviation +" innovative initiatives. By integrating air tickets with cultural, sports, and service offerings, CEA is providing global passengers with a comprehensive travel experience that blends air travel with China's urban cultural tourism.

Travelore News: US And China Agree To Double Airline Flights Between Them

WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States and China have agreed to double the number of airline flights that each other’s airlines can operate between the countries, from four to eight per week.

The deal marks a further easing of a standoff between the world’s two biggest economies over travel restrictions imposed during the pandemic.

The U.S. Transportation Department announced the increase Tuesday, saying that China’s aviation authority decided this week to permit expanded flights by United and Delta.

Shortly after the announcement, Chicago-based United Airlines said it will go from two to four flights per week between San Francisco and Shanghai via Seoul, starting Sept. 4.

The Transportation Department said Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines is also eligible to increase its two weekly flights to four. Delta did not comment immediately.

Chinese airlines that already fly to the United States — Air China, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines and Xiamen Airlines — will be allowed to make eight weekly round-trips instead of four, the department said.

The Transportation Department repeated its hope that China will agree to fully restore the treaty rights of U.S. airlines to serve China, but called the most recent increase in flying “a step in the right direction.”

In early January, there were more than 300 flights per week between the two countries, but that number nosedived after the pandemic undercut demand for international air travel. United, Delta and American Airlines suspended flights to China by mid-March.

Travelore News: US Will Allow Limited Flights By Chinese Airlines, Not A Ban

The Trump administration said Friday it will let Chinese airlines operate a limited number of flights to the U.S., backing down from a threat to ban the flights.

The decision came one day after China appeared to open the door to U.S. carriers United Airlines and Delta Air Lines resuming one flight per week each into the country.

The Transportation Department said it will let Chinese passenger airlines fly a combined total of two round-trip flights per week between the U.S. and China, which it said would equal the number of flights that China’s aviation authority will allow for U.S. carriers.

Delta praised the U.S. government for trying to “ensure fairness and access to China.” United said it was reviewing the matter. Neither said whether the latest development in the dispute between the two countries would affect their plans. Both had hoped to offer more flights.

MORE STORIES:

• – China easing airline access amid conflict with Washington
• – Delta, American and United suspend flights between US, China
• – Trump administration moves to block Chinese airlines from US

The Transportation Department said it might further ease restrictions if China does the same. Officials are concerned, however, about conditions China is imposing that could affect whether U.S. airlines resume their flights. Those requirements include taking temperatures of all passengers in mid-flight and suspending an airline’s future flights if five or more passengers test positive for the coronavirus after arriving in China.

China’s embassy in Washington did not respond to messages seeking comment.

The dispute between Washington and Beijing over airline service has been building for weeks and is part of broader trade and diplomatic tension between the world’s two biggest economies.

In early January, there were more than 300 flights per week between the two countries, but international carriers reduced and then stopped flying to China as the coronavirus pandemic devastated demand for air travel. United, Delta and American Airlines suspended flights to China before mid-March.

Chinese airlines reduced but didn’t eliminate their flights to the U.S. They ran about 20 flights per week in February, 34 by mid-March. Air China, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines and Xiamen Airlines continue flying those routes.

Travel in both China and the U.S. has partly recovered in the past two months, although it remains far below 2019 levels. In May, Chicago-based United and Atlanta-based Delta petitioned China to resume flights there, but received no response.

The Trump administration protested that China’s refusal to grant access to U.S. airlines was unfair. The Transportation Department announced Wednesday that it would prohibit all passenger airline flights from China no later than June 16.

On Thursday, the Civil Aviation Administration of China said it would let more foreign airlines fly to China starting next week as anti-coronavirus controls are eased.

The order did not identify airlines, but it appeared to limit United and Delta to one flight per week because they stopped flying to China before mid-March. American, which is based in Fort Worth, Texas, does not plan to return to China before October.

The air-service spat escalated against a backdrop of a long-running trade dispute between the U.S. and China. Washington has also criticized China’s handling of the coronavirus outbreak and treatment of Hong Kong. Chinese officials fired back this week by highlighting civil unrest and racial discrimination in the U.S.

By DAVID KOENIG