Now Even Cheaper! £2,152/€2,562 Air China Business Class to Melbourne from London in June (Long Layovers)

Star Alliance member Air China is offering a deal from London to Melbourne, Australia starting at just £2,152 (~€2,476). This deal includes 2×32 kg checked luggage. You can fly from both Gatwick and Heathrow. Flights from Heathrow require two 11-hour layovers in Beijing, while flights from Gatwick see you spend roughly 20 hours in the Chinese capital both ways. These stays enable you to enter the country under China’s visa-free transit rule.

We have been able to verify this fare for several departures in June 2025:

• May 30 – June 16
• June 4 – June 23
• June 6 – June 20
• June 11 – June 30

There might be more dates available, even outside of June. We weren’t able to find them, but you might have better luck. Our go2 tool forwards you to kayak.co.uk with your selected flight dates. From there, you can buy these tickets from OTAs or proceed to Air China’s website.

Most flights in this deal are operated by Air China on their Airbus A350 with lie-flat seats in a 1-2-1 configuration in business class. If you’re curious about what the in-flight experience is like, here’s a video taken on the London to Beijing route. On some flights from Heathrow, Air China uses Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. These come with lie-flats in a 2-2-2 seating pattern in business.

Search & Book

This deal does not have an expiration date, but a minimum stay of six days, and a maximum stay of three months apply. The fare rules state that departures are available from January to June 2025.

Sadly, Google Flights does not preview Air China tickets. The most convenient way to find suiting flight dates is the ITA Matrix. For an easy set-up, you can follow this link to find the best option for this deal:

During the next step, you will have to edit search parameters to the calendar option and enter your desired trip length. You can also limit search results to Air China by entering the routing code C: CA.

Click the Search button on the bottom right to get a preview of available flight dates. You will be greeted by a calendar previewing the cheapest flight dates:

Enter the flight dates in Kayak to see which vendors sell tickets for these dates. The £2,809 usually translates into the advertised fare on kayak. However, this statement only holds true for the month of June. While the cheapest tickets are sold by online travel agencies, you might want to consider booking them directly on Air China’s website.

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.

Miles & Points

This ticket is issued in booking class R. Here are the miles and points you can earn from this deal:

Destination

Information & Tips for Australia

Australia is known for natural wonders like the Great Barrier Reef, Uluru, and the beaches of Sydney, along with vibrant cities like Melbourne and Sydney. The local currency is the Australian dollar (AUD), and credit cards are widely accepted. The price level can be high, especially in major cities, but there are budget options available for food and accommodation. The weather varies by region—tropical in the north, temperate in the south, with hot summers and mild winters. The best times to visit are typically during spring and autumn for mild temperatures.

Australia’s transport infrastructure is generally good, with well-developed road networks, public transit systems, and domestic flights. In major cities, public transport options like buses, trams, and trains are widely available, though some areas may require a car for convenience. Between cities, domestic flights are common and fast, but bus and train travel can be slow and less frequent for long distances. Driving is a popular option for exploring regions outside cities, with roads in good condition but long travel times due to the country’s vast size.

We’ve compared various esim providers, such as RedteaGO and Airalo. 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 Australia 🇦🇺 Compared

→ All Dealz for Australia

Information & Tips for Melbourne

Melbourne, known for its vibrant arts scene and diverse culture, offers attractions like Federation Square, the Royal Botanic Gardens, and the National Gallery of Victoria. The local currency is the Australian dollar (AUD), and credit cards are widely accepted. The city has a relatively high cost of living, with accommodation and dining often priced at a premium, though there are budget options available. Melbourne’s weather is unpredictable, with four seasons in one day being a common saying—summers are warm, winters are cool, and spring and autumn are mild, making it a good year-round destination.

We’ve compared various esim providers, such as RedteaGO and Airalo. 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 Australia 🇦🇺 Compared

→ All Dealz for Melbourne

Cover Picture: © Bernd Leitner - fotolia.com