The battle to be the top carrier between London and Shanghai is set to intensify. Yesterday, we reported that Air China was to fly its Airbus A350 between Shanghai and London Gatwick. Now, China Eastern is set to up its offering on the route alongside the new Air China Flights.

Currently China Eastern is the only carrier flying directly between London Gatwick and Shanghai. However, Virgin Atlantic, China Eastern, and British Airways all offer direct Shanghai flights from London’s Heathrow Airport. The new China Eastern Service will make its Gatwick route daily.

Up to six services

When both Air China and China Eastern’s new London Gatwick Airport services are launched, there will be up to six services per day flying between London and Shanghai. There are currently four services between London and Shanghai on Saturdays, in addition to some other days of the week.

In fact, on Saturdays British Airways operates two flights from London to Shanghai. Virgin Atlantic and China Eastern both operate one flight, all departing from Heathrow. However, from 2nd of November, Air China will be operating an A350 flight to Shanghai four times weekly, including Saturdays from London Gatwick.

Air China, Airbus A350, London Gatwick
Air China's A350s are set to arrive in London Gatwick four times a week from November. Photo: N509FZ via Wikimedia

Additionally, Routes Online states that from the 27th of October, China Eastern’s three days per week Gatwick service will become daily. This means that, on any given day, the carrier will fly one flight to Heathrow and one to Gatwick.

New China Eastern Gatwick schedule

The new China Eastern schedule for London Gatwick is a little confusing, so stick with us. Depending on the day of the week, the time of the flight is slightly different. This is more pronounced on the flights returning to Shanghai where six different flight times exist, as opposed to three in the opposite direction. According to Routes Online, the new schedule will operate as follows from Shanghai to London:

  • On Monday and Saturday MU201 will depart from Shanghai at 01:20, arriving in London at 06:20;
  • On Wednesday and Thursday the flight will depart Shanghai at 01:30, arriving in Gatwick at 06:30;
  • However, on Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday, MU201 will depart Shanghai at 01:45, arriving in Gatwick at 06:30.
Air China, Airbus A350, London Gatwick
The route will be Air China's second A350 route to London. Photo: GCMaps

Things get more complex for the return to Shanghai.

  • On Mondays and Thursdays, MU202 departs London Gatwick at 13:10, arriving in Shanghai at 08:55 the next day.
  • On Tuesdays, the flight will depart Gatwick at 12:00, arriving in Shanghai at 07:30 the next day;
  • Wednesdays see the flight departing Gatwick at 12:25, arriving at 08:10 the next day;
  • On Fridays, the flight leaves Gatwick at 11:50, arriving at 07:30 the next day in Shanghai.
  • On Saturdays, the flight departs at 12:10, arriving at 07:55 the next day.
  • Finally, on Sundays MU202 will depart from Gatwick at 12:10. It is due to arrive in Shanghai at 07:30 the next day.

Who do you think will win the battle for the London to Shanghai route? Let us know in the comments!

The schedule information in this article was originally published by Routes Online.