‍DALLAS – Beijing Capital Airlines (JD) has operated its inaugural flight between Hangzhou (HGH) and Melbourne (MEL) on June 16, 2024.

The Beijing Daxing (PKX) based carrier has inaugurated its second non-stop service between MEL and China. The thrice weekly flights between HGH and MEL will be operated by an Airbus A330 aircraft, fitted with lie-flat beds in a 2-2-2 layout. 

This new route complements JD’s existing service between MEL and Qingdao (TAO). 

Flight Schedule

Southbound flights from Hangzhou’s Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH) depart on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. They operate as overnight flights, departing HGH at 15:50 local time.

Moreover, the return flights depart MEL on Monday, Thursday and Saturday. The return flights are operated as day flights, departing from MEL at 07:00 local time.

Hangzhou is the eighth non-stop destination in mainland China with direct flights to MEL. Melbourne’s Airport Chief of Aviation Jim Parashos said that the route brings together “the best of east and west cultures, together for both trade and travel”.

About Beijing Capital Airlines

Also known as Capital Airlines, JD is a Chinese low-cost carrier (LCC) based at PKX. It is a subsidiary of Hainan Airlines (HU) and primarily operates in China, besides focusing on international air passenger service and cargo transport operations.

Beijing Capital Airlines has been operating long-haul flights between China and other cities since 2015, with Airbus A330 aircraft. In September 2016, the carrier launched its first Australian route from TAO to MEL. 

In December of that year, JD started up scheduled services between HGH and Vancouver (YVR), via TAO. In July of the following year, JD launched its second non-stop Australian route from TAO to Sydney (SYD). The LCC launched twice-weekly flights between Beijing (BJS) and Lisbon (LIS), via Xian (XIY) on 30 August 2019.