As we head into February 2023, major international airlines are resuming or ramping up their international flights to and from China following a complete relaxation of COVID-related restrictions for international flight operations.

After a long disruption due to the coronavirus pandemic, the country is once again becoming a destination for global aviation. The Chinese government has quickly recognized the importance of aviation to the country's economy recovery.

The return of international airlines to China has also resulted in an increase in tourism. With more people from around the world visiting China, it is estimated that the number of international visitors to the country could reach 100 million by the end of 2023. Here are the major airlines that have announced their plan to get back to China.

United Airlines

Recently, United Airlines' Shanghai-San Francisco roundtrip flight resumed non-stop operations. The new timetable already took effect on January 28th, canceling the technical stopover in Seoul, South Korea, and reducing the flight time from Shanghai to San Francisco by 2 hours and 20 minutes. The return flight time was similarly reduced by 1 hour and 35 minutes.

While saving flight time, it is also more convenient for passengers to transfer to other cities in the United States on the same day at San Francisco Airport. Popular destinations for same-day connections include Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Seattle, Denver, Chicago, Philadelphia, New York / Newark, and Washington.

The outbound flight UA858 departs from Shanghai at 20:25 local time on Monday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday and arrives in San Francisco at 15:35 local time. The return flight UA857 departs from San Francisco at 10:40 local time on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and arrives in Shanghai at 17:00 the next day. All flights are operated by Boeing 777-300ER, with 60 Polaris business cabin seats, 24 premium economy cabin seats, and 266 economy cabin seats.

Find flights from Shanghai to San Francisco here.

Delta Air Lines

Delta Air Lines resumes direct flights between China and the United States from March 3rd, canceling the Seoul technical stopover. The routes are Shanghai Pudong to Seattle and Shanghai Pudong to Detroit.

Both routes will commence operations from March 3rd, with the Shanghai Pudong to Seattle route operated by the Airbus A330-900, departing from Shanghai on Thursdays and Sundays and returning from Seattle on Tuesdays and Fridays. The Shanghai Pudong to Detroit route is operated by the Airbus A350-900, departing from Shanghai on Wednesdays and Saturdays and returning from Detroit on Wednesdays and Sundays. The flight times will be adjusted slightly from March 12th.

Find flights from Shanghai to Seattle here and from Shanghai to Detroit here.

British Airways

British Airways has officially announced the resumption of direct passenger flights between the UK, Shanghai, and Beijing, with flights to Shanghai beginning on April 23rd and to Beijing beginning on June 3rd.

Tickets are now available on British Airways' official website. Flights between London Heathrow and Shanghai Pudong International Airport will operate daily with flight numbers BA168/BA169, with tickets from Shanghai to London starting at 8,792 RMB ($1,295). Flights between London Heathrow and Beijing Daxing International Airport will operate four times weekly with flight numbers BA88/89, with tickets from Beijing to London starting at 9,662 RMB ($1,423).

Find flights from Shanghai to London here and from Beijing to London here.

Virgin Atlantic

On February 2nd, Virgin Atlantic announced that it would resume daily flight services between London and Shanghai starting May 1st, 2023, with ticket prices starting at 6,149 RMB ($906) per person (for a one-way economy class ticket from Shanghai to London).

Prior to this, due to the pandemic, Virgin Atlantic's London-Shanghai route was suspended for a total of 859 days before resuming. After restarting in May, it will mark the completion of Virgin Atlantic's global route restart. When the London-Shanghai route resumes, it will maintain the same flight schedule as before the pandemic, operated by Boeing 787-9.

Find flights from Shanghai to London here

Air France

Following the announcement of travel restrictions being lifted by the relevant authorities in China, Air France is gradually increasing the number of flights between Paris Charles de Gaulle and Chinese destinations.

Air France currently operates flights to the following destinations in China:

• Beijing (Beijing Capital International Airport), one flight per week - Find flights here
• Shanghai (Shanghai Pudong International Airport), three flights per week starting February 3rd - Find flights here
• Hong Kong, resuming operations on January 9th, 2023, with three flights per week - Find flights here

Starting July 1st, 2023, Air France plans to operate daily flights from Paris Charles de Gaulle to the destinations above. Flights to Shanghai will be operated by the Boeing 777-300ER, equipped with Air France's latest long-haul cabin with 369 seats (48 in business class, 48 in premium economy, and 273 in economy). Flights to Beijing and Hong Kong will be operated by the Boeing 787-9, with 279 seats (30 in business class, 21 in premium economy, and 228 in economy).

Japan Airlines

Starting from February 5th, Japan Airlines (JAL) will add a direct flight from Tokyo Haneda to Beijing, operating one flight per week on Sundays. Find flights here.

Thai Airways

Following the successful resumption of flights from Guangzhou, Kunming, and Chengdu, Thai Airways' Beijing-Bangkok return flight will make a strong comeback on March 2nd, 2023, with three flights per week on 1/4/6. It will be operated by Airbus A350-900.

In addition, the frequency of Thai Airways Guangzhou-Bangkok, Kunming-Bangkok, and Chengdu-Bangkok flights will also increase from March 1st to March 25th, 2023, and the Shanghai-Bangkok roundtrip is also planned to resume, pending final approval.

Find flights from Bangkok to Guangzhou, Kunming and Chengdu.

Emirates

Starting in February, flights between Guangzhou and Shanghai operated by Emirates Airlines have significantly increased in frequency. On February 1st, the passenger service between Dubai and Guangzhou has been further increased to one flight per day. EK362/EK363 will be operated as a direct flight with the Emirates Airbus A380 flagship model, thus perfectly returning to its pre-pandemic level.

Find flights from Guangzhou to Dubai.

Starting from February 2nd, the Dubai-Shanghai route will be increased to four flights per week, operating a flight on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday (with a technical stop in Bangkok from Shanghai to Dubai) operated by a three-cabin version of the Boeing 777-300ER. Starting from March 1st, the Dubai-Shanghai roundtrip flights will further increase to one flight per day and will be changed to direct flight service. The Dubai-Beijing route will also resume on March 15th, with one flight per day.

Find flights from Shanghai to Dubai.

At that time, the number of flights operated by Emirates in the Chinese mainland market will reach 21 per week.

Egyptair

Egyptair recently announced that starting from February 13th (first increased flight) and February 22nd (second increased flight), the Guangzhou-Cairo route will be increased from one flight per week to three flights per week. Find flights here.

Kenya Airways

Kenya Airways has adjusted from February 18th to two flights a week from Guangzhou to Nairobi and back and from March 2nd to three flights a week from Guangzhou to Nairobi and major African destinations. Find flights here.

Are you visiting China this year, now that things have relaxed? Perhaps you're in China and planning a trip away for the first time post-COVID? Let us know your plans in the comments below.