- China Eastern Airlines launched a three-times-weekly Dublin to Shanghai route on 20 July.
- The service operates using Airbus A350-900 aircraft.
- The route becomes Dublin Airport’s longest-ever scheduled non-stop service.
- Irish passport holders are eligible for visa-free entry to China for up to 30 days.
- Nick Cole stated the route would create new opportunities for travellers in both directions.
- The route is Dublin Airport’s longest-ever scheduled non-stop service.
- China Eastern is a SkyTeam member operating a global network.
- Minister Sean Canney, daa and Chinese officials welcomed the route’s launch.
China Eastern Airlines has launched a new non-stop route from Dublin Airport to Shanghai, providing Ireland’s first direct connection to China’s largest city. China Eastern Airlines has commenced a new non-stop service between Dublin and Shanghai, providing Ireland with its first direct connection to China’s largest city. The three-times-weekly service operates using China Eastern’s Airbus A350-900 aircraft. The inbound flight MU231 landed at Dublin Airport shortly after 07.30, while the inaugural outbound flight MU232 departed around 11.30.
The China Eastern Airbus A350-900 features a specialised four-class configuration totaling 288 seats. The breakdown consists of 4 First Class (Business Plus) seats, 36 Business Class suites, 32 Premium Economy seats, and 216 Economy seats.
Dublin Airport operator daa confirmed the route would become Dublin Airport’s longest-ever scheduled non-stop service at 9,413 km/5,850 miles. The direct, non-stop flight with China Eastern Airlines takes about 12 to 13 hours.
It will strengthen Ireland’s connectivity with one of the world’s most important aviation markets. The service is expected to boost tourism, trade, inward investment, education and cultural links between Ireland and China. The route provides convenient onward connections across China and the Asia-Pacific region through China Eastern’s hub at Shanghai Pudong International Airport.
China Eastern Airlines is a member of the SkyTeam global airline alliance and operates a global network spanning Europe, Asia, Oceania, North America, South America and the Middle East. Nick Cole, Deputy CEO of daa, stated the new route reinforced the airport’s commitment to improving connectivity between Ireland and key global markets. Wang Zhiqing, Chairman of China Eastern Airlines, stated the route signified a new, convenient and efficient air corridor between China and Ireland.
The route was welcomed on the ground by Minister of State Sean Canney TD, Chair of DAA Gary Owens, COO Vincent Harrison, China’s Ambassador to Ireland H. E. Zhao Xiyuan and Ireland’s Consul General in Shanghai David Murphy. Tourism Ireland’s team in Shanghai has partnered with China Eastern Airlines to inspire demand for the new route and for the island of Ireland.
The Airbus A350-900 offers a standard range of 8,100 to 8,500 nautical miles (15,000 to 15,750 km). Its specialized Ultra-Long Range (ULR) variant extends this capability to 9,700 nautical miles (18,000 km), facilitating non-stop flights of over 19 hours. It comfortably seats 300 to 350 passengers in typical configurations.
The A350 family is utilized by roughly 50 operators worldwide. Primary airlines operating the A350-900 includeing Singapore Airlines, the largest operator globally, also serving as the sole operator of the specialised A350-900ULR for the world’s longest commercial routes.Delta Air Lines: Currently the only major US carrier operating the A350-900, heavily utilising it on premium long-haul international routes, Qatar Airways, .Lufthansa, Cathay Pacific, Turkish Airlines, Finnair, and Vietnam Airlines.
Nick Cole, Deputy CEO of daa, shared, “China is an increasingly important market for tourism, business, education and trade, and this new service will create new opportunities for travellers in both directions.”
Wang Zhiqing, Chairman of China Eastern Airlines, shared, “Aviation connects cities, carries friendship, and promotes cooperation. China Eastern Airlines is ready to take this new route as a bond to work closer with Irish partners from all fields.”
Alice Mansergh of Tourism Ireland shared, “Shanghai is a thriving business hub and connecting directly to the island of Ireland means opening up new tourism opportunities, as well as broader trade potential, for the long-term.”
“It was a real pleasure o be on the ground to welcome the inaugural direct flight from Shanghai to Dublin, provided by China Eastern Airlines, was a real pleasure this morning! My thanks to Chairman Wang and his China Eastern Airlines team, DAA, as well as Chinese press and tourism partners who touched down today, marking a milestone new service. Shanghai is a thriving business hub and connecting directly to the island of Ireland means opening up new tourism opportunities, as well as broader trade potential, for the long-term.”
