DALLAS — Privately owned Chinese airline and Star Alliance member Juneyao Air (HO) today announced that it will expand its Asia-Pacific network with two new routes: Shanghai to Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD) and Shanghai to Melbourne (MEL).

Which airport HO will depart from Shanghai, SHA or PVG, is yet to be announced as the airline serves both Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) and Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA).

Juneyao Air President Chengji Yu expressed optimism about the new launch to Sydney, saying he was “looking forward to bringing our own unique brand to the route with our new Boeing 787-9 aircraft and trust that the people of Sydney will enjoy this new direct connection to our home airline Shanghai and beyond via our China network.”

Start schedule

From December 17, 2024, there will be a four-times-weekly nonstop flight from Shanghai to Sydney. According to SYD, the additional route from HO will make SYD the Australian airport with the highest seat capacity to mainland China. 53,000 seats will be available weekly, which is 101 percent of December 2019 levels.

Two days later, on December 19, 2024, the Shanghai-Melbourne service will begin with three weekly flights. However, during peak periods in January and February, which coincide with the Chinese New Year (which begins on January 29), these flights will operate daily to meet high demand.

Both routes are served by the airline’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, which has 29 business class and 295 economy class seats, for a total of 324.