We’re entering the Year of the Fire Horse soon, and Melbourne Airport is ready to celebrate. During the 2026 Chinese Lunar New Year, enjoy festive events, store and online promotions, and airline offers departing the award-winning airport. Discover what’s on and how you can save on flights from MEL to Asia and beyond.
On 17 February, the Chinese New Year welcomes the Year of the Fire Horse. If you’ve spent even a minute on social media, you’ll know that this is a Big Deal in Chinese astrology.
The Year of the Horse is with a fire element, something that hasn’t happened since 1966. It’s considered a period for rapid change, bold actions, and accelerated results.
It’s a year certainly worth celebrating at Melbourne Airport, an experience-led gateway where travel, retail, and culture come together in harmony.
With more capacity than ever before, you can fly from Melbourne Airport to mainland China with Air China, Beijing Capital, China Eastern, China Southern, Juneyao Air, Hainan Airlines, Sichuan Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, and Xiamen Airlines.
There’s also China Airlines connecting you directly to Taiwan, and Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong Airlines and Qantas all with direct flights to Hong Kong.
With Lunar New Year specials from some of these airlines below, Asia beckons from Melbourne Airport. Whether you’re jetting off on an adventure, sending off your favourite people on theirs or looking for an incredible last-minute flight deal, you’ll want to read on!
Celebrate in style
Across Melbourne Airport’s terminals 2, 3, and 4, enjoy festive décor and ceremonial events to see in the Chinese New Year.
The T2 Arrivals Welcome Centre will be decked to the max, along with the Melbourne Wall, so you don’t need to pass security to enjoy the festivities.
If you’re flying or collecting passengers on 17 February, what better entertainment while you wait than lion dancing and lettuce ceremonies? On between 10am and 12pm, watch the lion dance ritual where the lion ‘eats’ the head of lettuce then scatters the leaves to symbolise prosperity and fortune for all watching.
Lunar savings
Melbourne Airport has rallied the lions (their retail store and dining partners) for exclusive promotions that create a vibrant send-off for travellers and a warm welcome for visitors.
Whether it’s duty-free, food outlets, or online shopping, you’ll be surprised, delighted, and rewarded this Lunar New Year. It’s perfectly in line with Fire Horse energy!
If you’re at International Departures (T2), look for $5 Lotte Duty Free red packet giveaways and play the Lotte Duty Free store’s claw machine activation, ‘Spend. Play. Win.’ Fun!
Travelling through Terminal 4? Head to Think Asia restaurant for a Lucky Dip promotion that could see you start your new year feeling very prosperous, with dining savings.
For online savings on beauty, perfume, liquor or wine, head to Laneway Duty Free for 15% off in their Lunar New Year sale, running from 9 February to 3 March, 2026.
Fire-y flight deals
It seems Melbourne Airport is bringing their Fire Horse energy early, as they’ve scored an abundance of Lunar New Year deals from their airline partners.
Here’s how you can save:
- Cebu Pacific: Across four days – from 16 to 20 February – you can save on flights from Melbourne to Manila. With one-way all-in Cebu Pacific airfares from $269, this is the Fire Horse energy you need to make your travel dreams happen. The offer is valid for flights between 1 April and 31 October 2026. Book here.
- Hainan Airlines: Choose direct flights from Melbourne to Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Chongqing with Hainan Airlines. One-way Lunar New Year fares start from $265* in Economy, and $1,350* in Business Class for travel until 3 March 2026 (*excluding tax). Plus, enjoy one free night in transit accommodation. Book here.
- Shenzhen Airlines: Save 5% on one-way and return flights between Melbourne and Shenzhen for selected dates for bookings and travel until 31 March 2026. Find more details and book here; use promo code 26H1AU.
- Hong Kong Airlines: Celebrate the Year of the Horse with a one-way economy class fare from Melbourne to Hong Kong from $465, and round-trip from $781. Reserve your seat before 28 February 2026 for travel until 20 June 2026. Hong Kong Airlines can connect you to Tokyo, Osaka, Beijing, Shanghai and more Asian destinations. Book here.
- Beijing Capital Airlines: Bringing their Fire Horse energy, Beijing Capital Airlines have three Lunar New Year offers. For a last-minute trip to Qingdao on 18 February, travel one-way in economy from only $326 or business class from $1,331. Their second deal is for one-way travel to London via Qingdao between now and 3 March 2026, with economy only $435 and business for $2,505. Additionally, get one night’s transit accommodation and Air-Rail Intermodal discounts on all new bookings before 3 March. Book here.
- China Southern Airlines: Until 31 December 2026, China Southern Airlines is offering eligible Australian passengers a free overnight stay in Guangzhou (with breakfast), along with transportation between the terminal and hotel. For ineligible travellers, preferential pricing is available at China Southern Airlines Pearl Hotel. Book here.
Learn more
Plan, shop, and celebrate Lunar New Year at Melbourne Airport. Subscribe to Melbourne Airport’s Flight Deals newsletter to start planning your next holiday or speak to your preferred travel agent.
This article is brought to you by Melbourne Airport.
