Why it’s so cheap to fly with China’s state-owned airlines – and whether it’s worth the risk

If you’ve been planning a journey East anytime lately, you might need seen a significantly good deal on flights – at least those operated by China’s state-owned airlines.

Fares on the nation’s “Big Three” carriers – Air China, China Eastern and China Southern – are up to 35 per cent cheaper than European airlines for direct round-trip flights between China and western Europe, according to UBS aviation analyst Eric Lin. A return flight from Heathrow to Hong Kong via Beijing in October, for instance, prices from £393 with China Eastern, as opposed to the next-cheapest option, £534 with Lufthansa via Frankfurt. Even a business class ticket to Bangkok might be yours for £1,533 return in November, December and January.

What’s behind the great offers? The Chinese authorities.

The Big Three have been born in the Eighties when the Chinese Communist Party scrapped the former state-run monopoly – the Civil Aviation Administration of China, which managed all elements of the airline industry – in favour of three carriers, all of which benefit from direct subsidies from local and central governments, preferential treatment at Chinese airports, and fuel price regulation.

The result’s that despite frequently dropping money – all three are forecasting losses this 12 months – they’ll keep rising the quantity of flights and keep fares low. China Eastern last 12 months elevated its European capability to 19 routes to Asia and 244 weekly spherical journeys. In distinction, British Airways only operates one daily direct service to mainland China.

Another key aggressive benefit for the Big Three is their capability to fly through Russian airspace. President Vladimir Putin banned most European airlines from flying over Russia in 2022, in response to Western sanctions imposed following Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This means BA and most European carriers have to fly more southerly routes to Asia, which provides up to 4 hours to flight occasions and will increase fuel prices by around 15 per cent.

Last 12 months, British Airways, Lufthansa and Scandinavian Airlines all suspended some routes to mainland China, citing the price pressures of avoiding Russian airspace. Virgin Atlantic has completely axed its flights from London to Shanghai. Announcing Lufthansa’s suspension of its flights between Frankfurt and Beijing, a spokesman explained: “European airlines are in an extremely unequal competitive position with China.” Chinese airlines are now anticipated to provide 63 per cent of all seats on flights to mainland China.

While fares could also be cheaper, critics say flying with Chinese carriers also comes with dangers. Some fear about flying over Russia. Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 was shot down by a Russian-made missile while travelling from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur over the Donbas area of Ukraine in 2014.

Customers need have no security considerations, argues Willie Walsh, director basic of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) airline foyer group. Walsh, the former CEO of BA, argues that the closure of Russian airspace “has nothing to do with safety, nor with security”. European airlines are “the victims of politics.”

Disruption and poor customer support may pose more considerations. Last month, lots of of 1000’s of travellers had to scramble to change their plans after major Chinese airlines cancelled over 1,000 flights throughout the month, reportedly to handle fluctuating demand. Shanghai-based China Eastern cancelled 555 home and worldwide flights – virtually 18 flights a day, on average.

Although the airlines said they provided to rebook and compensate affected passengers, some travellers disputed this. One Air China passenger, Sara-Jo Gruner, wrote on Trustpilot in July that when her flight from London to Phuket was rescheduled by 24 hours less than a week before departure, the airline didn’t reply to at least 10 emails which she despatched, nor did it offer the compensation – up to €600 (£520) – to which she was entitled.

Passengers also complained about the airlines’ delay insurance policies and baggage info. One China Southern buyer wrote on TripAdvisor that he was charged for exceeding the baggage allowance at the airport due to incorrect info on the provider’s web site.

My advice? Embrace the – a lot – cheaper fares, if you’re completely happy with a few scratchy moments and a delicate degree of uncertainty. If reliability is a top precedence, however, select Emirates, Qatar Airways or Etihad.

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