China Southern will operate an A380 between Beijing and Amsterdam from June 20.
The carrier currently flies a daily A330-300 service to the Dutch capital; this will be replaced by the superjumbo.
While the A380 will significantly increase overall seating capacity, it also spells the end of premium economy on the route.
The superjumbo offers a first class cabin with eight suites — something lacking on the A330-300 — and 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. Outbound flight CZ345 departs Beijing at 0050 and arrives in Amsterdam at 0540, while return flight CZ346 leaves Amsterdam at 1450 and arrives back in Beijing at 0615 the following day.
For passengers who don't want to take the red-eye flight out of Beijing, China Southern has an existing codeshare agreement with KLM on another daily flight between the two cities.
Outbound flight KL898 (CZ767) departs Beijing at 1055 and arrives in Amsterdam at 1510, with return flight KL897 (CZ768) leaving Amsterdam at 1740 and landing in Beijing at 0855 the following day.
Clement Huang
