China Southern will greatly expand the seating capacity of its flights between Beijing and Amsterdam starting from June 20.
The Chinese carrier currently operates a single daily service to the Dutch capital using the A330-300, but this will be replaced by the A380-800 later this year.
While the deployment of the superjumbo will significantly increase overall seating capacity, it also spells the end of premium economy on this route.
Instead the superjumbo does offer a first-class cabin consisting of eight suites – something lacking on the A330-300. It also comes with 70 seats in business (up from the existing 48), and a huge economy class cabin with 428 seats (up from a mere 197).
Operation times remain unchanged. Flight CZ345 departs Beijing at 0050 and arrives in Amsterdam at 0540. The return flight, CZ346 will then take off from Amsterdam at 1450 and arrives back in the Chinese capital at 0615 the following day.
For passengers who don't want to take the red-eye flight out of Beijing, China Southern does have an existing codeshare agreement with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines that also flies the route daily.
Flight KL898 (CZ767) departs Beijing at 1055 and arrives in Amsterdam at 1510. The return flight KL897 (CZ768) takes off again at 1740 and touches back down in Beijing at 0855 the following day.
For more information, visit csair.com
Clement Huang
