Juneyao Air has officially made its debut in Australia, providing travelers with a new way to connect to destinations across China. The airline’s inaugural flight, HO1669 landed at Sydney Airport at 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday. Juneyao is the ninth carrier from mainland China to begin operations at the airport.

The new service includes four weekly direct flights between Shanghai and Sydney, boosting Sydney Airport’s seat capacity to mainland China to levels surpassing pre-pandemic numbers. Minister for Jobs and Tourism John Graham highlighted the importance of this development, noting that increased aviation capacity is vital to supporting the $50 billion annual visitor economy in New South Wales.

About Juneyao Air

Juneyao Air, established in 2005 and headquartered in Shanghai, China, operates both domestic and international flights primarily from Shanghai's Hongqiao and Pudong airports. The airline serves over 80 destinations across 12 countries. As a Connecting Partner of the Star Alliance, Juneyao Air integrates with a global network, offering passengers enhanced connectivity and benefits across Star Alliance member airlines

According to Planespotters, Juneyao’s fleet comprises of 100 aircraft with an average age of 7.2 years. The aircraft types flown by the airline are as follows

As a full service airline, passengers will receive complimentary meals, snacks and beverages as well as enjoy on demand entertainment through seat back screens on the 787 Dreamliner. Pillows are also available for passengers as well as blankets on long haul flights.

Passengers lucky enough to travel Business Class on the 787 will enjoy a truly enjoyable experience with amazing cuisine, lay flat beds, high resolution in flight entertainment screens and a host of amenities.

Read more about the safety of Juneyao here

A Milestone for Juneyao Air

Founded in 2006, Juneyao Air became the first privately-owned Chinese airline to launch intercontinental flights in 2019, beginning with a route to Helsinki. This move marks another milestone for the carrier as it continues to expand its global reach.

Scott Charlton, an executive at Sydney Airport, welcomed the new airline, stating that its addition strengthens Sydney’s position as Australia’s primary gateway for Chinese travelers. “This expansion is a strong vote of confidence in Sydney’s appeal and provides travelers from mainland China with unparalleled convenience and choice,” he said.

Expansion to Melbourne

Juneyao Air’s Australian presence is set to grow further, with flights to Melbourne commencing this Thursday. Lorie Argus, an executive at Melbourne Airport, expressed enthusiasm for the new service, emphasizing its economic significance.

“Melbourne Airport will now host more international carriers than ever before, and with each daily international flight contributing $154 million to the Victorian economy, it highlights the importance of ongoing investments such as terminal upgrades and the $3 billion third runway project,” Argus said.

The arrival of Juneyao Air marks a significant step in reconnecting Australia and China, fostering tourism, and supporting economic growth in both New South Wales and Victoria.