SkyTeam member Shanghai Airlines brings us this deal from Budapest to Ningbo, offering nonstop flights in premium economy starting at €679 (~HUF 266,849). This fare includes 2×23 kg of checked luggage allowance. Departures are available between February and May.
From December 2023 through November 2024, citizens of France, Italy, the Netherlands, Germany and Spain may enter China for 15 days without applying for a visa.
Our availability calendar highlights all possible flight dates at the lowest price for trips up to 28 days. It will forward you to Skyscanner with your selected flight dates.
You will be flying with Shanghai Airlines on a Boeing 787, with a 2-3-2 configuration in premium economy.
The seats in the premium economy cabin appear to be the same as those used by, for example, China Eastern, United, American, and many other airlines. Here are some photos from the cabin:
Search & Book
This deal doesn’t have an expiration date but a minimum stay of six days or a Saturday overnight stay, and a maximum stay of twelve months applies. Available dates are between February and May.
You can find suitable dates using our calendar above or with the help of Google Flights. We recommend booking directly on Shanghai Airlines’ website, but you can find cheaper prices with Skyscanner. However, booking on OTAs has its downsides. It is possible to buy open jaws going to Ningbo and returning from Shanghai for €784 (~HUF 308,115).
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
This ticket is issued by Shanghai Airlines in booking class P. Here are the miles and points you can earn from this deal:
- 11,550 Award Miles + 48 XP on Flying Blue
- 11,550 Miles on Aerolíneas Argentinas AerolíneasPlus
- 11,550 Miles on Vietnam Airlines Lotusmiles
Destination
Information & Tips for China
China is the most populous and the third largest country in the world, so naturally, there is a lot to see. The most touristically important cities are the capital of China, Beijing and the financial and trade center Shanghai.
Best Time to Travel
Since the country is vast and extends over several climate zones, there is no best travel time for China. China is connected to Europe through numerous direct flights and the travel time is about 11-13 hours. Flights to China can be found for less than 400€ throughout the year, and there are also often excellent Business Class fares.
A general advice is that travel should be avoided during the Chinese national holidays, which span over the first two weeks of October. During these time tourist destinations are overcrowded with Chinese tourists on their domestic vacation.
Visa for China
Most European citizens will need a visa to enter China.
You can apply for a tourist visa at a Visa Application Service Center (CVASC) in your country. There you’ll hand in your visa application personally and can pick it up again after a few days. There is no faster and cheaper way.
Alternatively, you can apply for a visa by mail. The processing time will be up to two weeks, and you’ll have to pay for extra for shipping.
There are also so-called Visa services available that sometimes offer a faster (and maybe even cheaper) way to get your Visa. Check local sites to find out more.
→ All Dealz for China
Cover Picture: Foto von Yilei (Jerry) Bao auf Unsplash