British Airways has announced it will be moving all services to Beijing's new Daxing Airport. The move will take place on October 27th. This will make British Airways the first international airline to announce the move of all services.

The news was initially relayed to passengers affected by the change this morning. Simple Flying's Arran is due to fly to Beijing in October and got an email alerting him to the change of airport. Airlines across the world are gradually announcing moves to the new airport, such as LOT Polish yesterday.

Added passenger convenience

While further from the city center than Beijing's Capital International Airport, passengers traveling onwards from Daxing will be in for a treat. In fact, Daxing will be the only airport in China to offer through checking for foreign airlines.

British Airways Beijing Daxing Airport
An email was sent to customers regarding the change this morning. Image: Arran Rice - Simple Flying

Additionally, by relocating to Daxing Airport, British Airways hopes to increase its codeshare agreement with China Southern Airlines. The Chinese carrier will be based at Beijing Daxing, following their efforts to test the airport earlier this year.

Passengers heading into the city will be able to benefit from a high-speed rail link. This gets passengers into the city center in as little as 20 minutes, not unlike the Heathrow Express connection from BA's home airport.

Once daily service

British Airways will continue operating its once per day service after the move to Beijing's Daxing airport. In the winter season, this will be operated by the Boeing 787, which will be replaced by a Boeing 777-300 in the summer. Bad news for anybody hoping for the new Club World suite.

The British Airways flight to Daxing is currently scheduled as follows:

  • British Airways flight 39 is scheduled to depart from London Heathrow at 16:15. Following a 10-hour 10-minute overnight flight, the aircraft is scheduled to arrive at Daxing at 10:25 the next day.
  • British Airways flight 38 is then due to depart Beijing Daxing at 12:10. The return flight is scheduled to be 11-hours and 15-minutes long. As such, it is scheduled to arrive in London Heathrow at 15:25.

Tickets for the flights to Daxing are already on sale from the airline.

British Airways Beijing Daxing Airport
The move will help British Airways develop its codeshare network with China Southern. Photo via Pixabay

State of the art facilities

Noella Ferns is British Airways’ Executive Vice President in Greater China and the Philippines. She told Simple Flying,

“We are very excited to be moving to Beijing Daxing. Not only will the new airport offer our customers flying to and from Beijing a world-class experience, with state-of-the-art facilities including an improved lounge for our Club World and First customers; but it will also support our ambition to increase leisure and business travel between China and the UK.”

Indeed, when it opens in September, Daxing will only have one terminal. However, this large terminal will be accompanied by four runways in differing directions. If this isn't enough, there are plans to open a second terminal and three more runways. This would allow the airport to handle up to 100 million passengers per year, cementing its place as a mega airport.

Are you flying on British Airways' service to Daxing? Let us know in the comments!