Emirates Airlines has officially launched its new daily service to Hangzhou, marking its fifth gateway in mainland China and the second addition within less than a month following Shenzhen.
The inaugural flight, EK 310, landed at Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport yesterday, receiving a warm welcome from dignitaries and airport officials, complete with a traditional water salute. Passengers aboard this inaugural flight from Dubai were presented with souvenirs, including keychains, certificates, and packages of Chinese tea.
The flight welcomed travelers from various regions within Emirates’ vast global network, including major markets such as the UAE, Nigeria, Italy, Spain, Saudi Arabia, and Brazil, alongside a distinguished delegation from Emirates and several international media representatives.
Adnan Kazim, Vice President and Chief Commercial Operations Officer at Emirates Airlines, stated: “China has emerged as one of the largest aviation markets globally, and we at Emirates take pride in contributing to this growth. The launch of two new destinations within a month is a significant milestone that underscores our deep commitment to mainland China and reinforces the momentum we have gathered in our growth strategy in the East and Southeast Asia region over the past year.”
Additionally, he remarked: “With increasing demand, we are optimistic that our global network will continue to connect individuals, businesses, and economies in Asia and beyond. We extend our gratitude to the Civil Aviation Administration of China, Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport, and all our local partners for their support in successfully launching this destination.”
Emirates operates the service on its Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, with flight EK 310 departing Dubai at 09:40 and arriving in Hangzhou at 22:00. The return flight, EK 311, takes off from Hangzhou at 00:10 and reaches Dubai at 04:55. (All times are local for Dubai and Hangzhou).
This new service provides convenient scheduling for travelers coming from 40 destinations in Europe, 21 in Africa, and 13 in the Middle East, as well as Brazil and Argentina, connecting them to Hangzhou via Dubai. Moreover, passengers from Hangzhou can benefit from convenient connecting flights to major cities like Istanbul, Barcelona, Cairo, and Johannesburg.
The Boeing 777 has a lower cargo compartment capacity of up to 16 tons for each flight, allowing for efficient transport of time-sensitive shipments such as e-commerce goods, pharmaceuticals, smart devices, and other high-value products.
Hangzhou is one of the largest global centers for cross-border e-commerce, featuring an integrated digital ecosystem and advanced logistics infrastructure, making it a key international gateway for numerous Chinese brands.
Thanks to Emirates SkyCargo’s extensive network across six continents and rapid connections via its hub in Dubai, goods can be swiftly transported from Hangzhou and the Yangtze River Delta to emerging markets in the Middle East, Africa, South Asia, and Latin America, enhancing supply chain efficiency and reducing delivery times.
Currently, Emirates operates 49 weekly flights to five major cities in China: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Hangzhou. The airline has also introduced a complimentary chauffeur service for first and business class customers in Hangzhou, expanding this luxury service to over 70 cities worldwide, including Beijing, Shanghai, London, Paris, Dubai, and Milan. The service currently includes complimentary transportation within an 80-kilometer radius of Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport using Mercedes-Benz E-Class vehicles. (Terms and conditions apply).
With Hangzhou joining Emirates’ expanding network in China, the airline is further strengthening a robust air corridor for trade, tourism, and digital exchange between China, the Middle East, and beyond. This new destination opens fresh opportunities for Chinese brands to reach a global audience and provides Emirates customers with broader access to this vital tech hub.
Passengers aboard the Emirates Boeing 777-300ER can enjoy an exceptional travel experience across three cabin classes, including 8 private suites in First Class, 42 comfortable seats in Business Class, and 304 seats in Economy. Furthermore, travelers to Hangzhou will have the chance to experience the award-winning ice in-flight entertainment system, which offers over 6500 on-demand entertainment channels in more than 40 languages, including Chinese. Additionally, passengers will enjoy a selection of culinary delights inspired by the region, featuring a diverse array of Chinese dishes.
Through code-sharing and interline agreements with China Southern Airlines, Air China, and Sichuan Airlines, Emirates provides enhanced connecting flights to more remote destinations within China.
Beyond its flight services, Emirates is committed to supporting the Chinese tourism sector through strategic partnerships. Last year, the airline signed a memorandum of understanding with the Chinese Cultural Center in the UAE to promote China as a key destination through its global network.
Travelers from the UAE and Gulf Cooperation Council countries can enjoy visa-free travel to China for up to 30 days, making business and tourism trips to mainland China more accessible.