Air China has announced a direct service between Melbourne and Beijing commencing June 1st, 2015. The service will operate four times per week with evening departures on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. It will increase to a daily service from October 25th, 2015. Currently, Air China operates a five times per week, non-stop service from Melbourne to Shanghai then onwards to Beijing. The new service will fly direct to the Chinese capital. Both routes will be operated by Airbus A330-200 aircraft offering 28 lie-flat bed business class seats and 199 economy class seats with a seat pitch of 32-inches.

Business class travellers can enjoy complimentary chauffeur-driven limousine service in Beijing and eight major cities in China as well as on-arrival lounge service with shower and changing room facilities. Air China also offers one of the most generous baggage allowances of any airline flying to China, Europe, Japan, and North America from Australia.

The decision to introduce a direct Melbourne to Beijing service reflects an increase in demand from both the business and leisure markets. Air China is the only carrier flying from Australia to provide this direct service.www.airchina.com