South Australians and other Aussies can look forward to a new route to Asia – and a first to one of the world’s largest cities – with the launch of China Eastern Airlines’ Adelaide-Shanghai route.
Marking the maiden non-stop service between the SA capital and China’s largest city, the new route will take off for the first time in mid-2026.
On its social media platforms, Adelaide Airport stated that the flights will be available to book “soon”. The South Aussie hub – Australia’s fifth busiest – also told its audiences to “watch this space” for sale and launch details.
“Hello Shanghai! China Eastern Airlines is launching first-ever flights out of Adelaide!” the airport posted.
Operated by the Shanghai-based carrier’s wide-body aircraft, the new service will run three times per week non-stop.
According to Adelaide Airport, the new link will boost tourism, business and education opportunities between South Australia and China, Australia’s largest trade partner.
It’s been a busy period for the SA gateway of late.
In October, Qantas resumed international flights to South Australia for the first time in over a decade, launching a new non-stop service between Adelaide and Auckland (New Zealand).
Around the same time, Air New Zealand’s first Adelaide-Christchurch flight took off, directly linking SA with NZ’s South Island for the first time.
Meanwhile, Malaysia Airlines (MH) announced it would fly daily between Adelaide and Kuala Lumpur, adding more seats and a brand-new aircraft to the South Australian market.
In August, the airport also unveiled the next phases of its $600 million ‘Project Flight‘ infrastructure program, revealing passenger-facing upgrades as the South Australian hub works towards its 2050 aviation vision.
In early 2025, China Eastern Airlines resumed its non-stop seasonal service between Perth and Shanghai.
China Eastern also flies to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane airports.
