China Flights Update — 14 October 2026
flights • 14 October 2026
Turkish Airlines will launch a new **Istanbul–Chengdu** service on 11 November 2026, operating three times weekly with Boeing 787-9 aircraft. Chengdu will become the airline’s fourth mainland Chinese destination after Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, offering Australian travellers an additional one-stop option into Sichuan via Istanbul.[2] Etihad Airways is also expanding its China network. After restoring daily Abu Dhabi–Shanghai flights on 1 October, the airline plans to resume Abu Dhabi–Guangzhou services on 4 March 2027 and introduce flights to Hangzhou, Chengdu and Shenzhen during March 2027. The expansion will bring Etihad’s mainland China network to 35 weekly flights across six cities, with services operated by Boeing 787-9 aircraft.[4] For Australian travellers, these routes may create useful alternatives when comparing fares and connections to western and southern China. Check operating dates and minimum connection times carefully, as the Chengdu and other March services are new-season additions and schedules may vary.Sources
- https://china-panorama.com/en/direct-flights-north-america-china/
- https://aviationweek.com/air-transport/airlines-lessors/routes-insights-aeromexico-delta-air-lines-turkish-airlines
- https://www.expedia.com/lp/flight-routes/china-southern-airlines-from-gimpo-intl-to-tianfu-intl/cz/gmp/tfu
- https://simpleflying.com/etihad-airways-launches-24-new-routes/
- https://www.bastillepost.com/global/article/6241662-china-opens-15-new-intl-air-cargo-routes-in-sept