Starting Jan. 25, 2017, Qantas offers service between Sydney (SYD) and Beijing (PEK). An Airbus A330-200 services the route, which is the airline’s first to the city since 2009. It adds 3,300 seats per week between the two countries. The expansion is one component of a partnership with China Eastern.

The flight departs Sydney ever day of the week at 13:50, arriving at 22:40. Return flights depart at 0:15 and arrive back in Australia at 14:55.

“The tourism industry in Australia is very excited about what the Chinese market will deliver over the next few years, especially given it’s already become our second biggest source of visitors after New Zealand. Australia is now at the top of the wish list for Chinese travellers thinking about where they want to go next. There are 21 million people in Beijing alone and from the start of next year they will be just one Qantas flight away. The potential is tremendous. We’re seeing strong loads on our existing Shanghai and Hong Kong services, and on this new Beijing route we’ll have the advantage of China Eastern marketing the Qantas flight as part of their own network,” said Alan Joyce, group chief executive, Qantas Group.

Qantas is highly focusing on the Asia region, with approximately 50 per cent of the airline’s international capacity directed toward the continent. In the last year, it added flights to Singapore, Japan, the Philippines and Indonesia as well.

“We’ll be ramping up the work we’re already doing with the state tourism bodies and Tourism Australia on marketing campaigns in China to make sure we make the most of this potential.  Our pitch is that if you want to experience the best of Australia, your trip should start with the national carrier,” added Joyce. “The business travel market is another key focus for this route, particularly off the back of the free trade agreement with China, which is increasing the amount of freight we’re carrying.”