The national carrier of the U.A.E., Etihad Airways, is offering sweet fares on Business Class flights from Prague to Chengdu. Prices for round-trips from Europe to China start at only CZK 36,416/€1,408. Not bad compared to what those tickets can typically cost you.
Since Prague is not one of Etihad’s destinations, one of their codeshare partners like Lufthansa or Air Serbia will connect you to another airport within Europe (e.g., Frankfurt or Belgrade). While the airline will operate a Boeing 777 or an Airbus A330 on their routes from German airports to Abu Dhabi, the flight from Belgarde to the U.A.E. will be on board of an Airbus A320. No matter where you’re first flight came from, you will board a Boeing 777 or 787 in Abu Dhabi on your way to China.
Search & Book
Tickets will be sold until October 22, 2019. Seats at the discounted rate are of course, always subject to availability. This deal is valid for flights until March 31, 2020.
The minimum stay requirements are only 3 days while the fare allows you to let six months pass between your departure from and your return to Europe.
Use Google Flights (instructions) to find all available connections and the dates that will suit you best. As always, you can go to our flight search to compare prices that OTAs will offer. But we recommend booking directly on the website of the carrier since this will guarantee better communication in case there are any problems.
Why is booking with an airline better than with an online travel agency?
More often than not, online travel agencies offer lower fares than airlines do. We still recommend booking with the airlines directly. There are two main reasons for that:
Better Customer Service
In case any problems like delays, cancellations or missed connections arise, you can communicate directly with the airline. The airline has to take care of you because you have a contract with them.
If a travel agency issues your ticket, you may have to reach out to them first. You also depend on your OTA to forward information like flight changes instead of receiving them directly from the airline. In many cases, you may get a prime exhibition of responsibility shifting rather than problem-solving.
This especially applies to premium tickets. You don’t want to spend more than €1,000 to wind up with some budget OTA’s telephone hotline in case anything goes wrong.
Baggage and Other Fees
Economy fares not including hold luggage are industry standard by now. In most cases, travel agencies charge much higher baggage fees than the airlines themselves. If bags are not included in your fare, airlines are often the cheaper alternative.
This also applies to other things like food services, insurances or priority treatment. In almost all cases, you pay less for additional amenities when booking on the airlines’ website.
Mileage
All tickets will be issued in booking class Z. Although Etihad is not a member of an airline alliance, you can earn between 100% and 130% of the actual miles traveled with many frequent flyer programs.
Please note that the miles you can earn on feeder flights may vary, depending on the airline that operates the flight. Check WheretoCredit.com to find out how many miles you will be credit with.
Information & Tips for China
China offers a wide range of sights, from historical landmarks like the Great Wall, the Terracotta Army, and the Forbidden City to modern cities like Shanghai and scenic areas such as Zhangjiajie and Guilin. The currency is the Chinese yuan (CNY), and mobile payments via apps like Alipay and WeChat Pay are widely used, though cash is still accepted. Prices vary—major cities can be moderate to expensive, while rural areas are generally more affordable. Weather conditions differ greatly by region, with cold winters in the north, hot, humid summers in the south, and a generally best travel period in spring or autumn.
China has a highly developed transport system, especially in urban and coastal areas. Most major cities have extensive metro networks that are cheap, efficient, and easy to navigate with English signage. For travel between cities, the high-speed rail network is one of the most advanced in the world, connecting even distant regions quickly and reliably. In rural or less-developed areas, transport options can be more limited and slower, but basic bus or train connections are usually available.
We’ve compared various eSIM providers, such as eSIM4Travel, RedteaGo, and Textr. To see which plan is best for your travel needs, and which network offers the best coverage, feel free to read our detailed guide:
The Best eSIM Plans for China 🇨🇳 Compared
→ All Dealz for China
Information & Tips for Chengdu
Chengdu is the vibrant capital of Sichuan province and the undisputed heart of Western China. While it may not possess the high-octane energy of coastal powerhouses like Shanghai, Chengdu champions a famously relaxed pace of life that sets it apart. Its global fame is tied to two icons: the beloved Giant Panda, for which it runs the world’s foremost research base, and the fiery, complex flavours of Sichuan cuisine that originated here. The city’s soul, however, is found in its thousands of teahouses, embodying a culture of leisure and social connection that has endured for centuries. The local currency is the Chinese yuan (CNY), with mobile payments like WeChat Pay and Alipay used for nearly everything, though cash remains an option. The city is very budget-friendly, renowned for its inexpensive yet delectable food and affordable lodging. Chengdu’s climate is humid and subtropical with frequent cloud cover, leading to hot, muggy summers and cool, damp winters, so pack an umbrella and dress in layers for the transitional spring and autumn seasons.
We’ve compared various eSIM providers, such as eSIM4Travel, RedteaGo, and Textr. To see which plan is best for your travel needs, and which network offers the best coverage, feel free to read our detailed guide:
The Best eSIM Plans for China 🇨🇳 Compared
→ All Dealz for Chengdu