Shenzhen Airlines Makes Melbourne Its First Australian Destination with New A330 Flights

For travellers and aviation enthusiasts in Melbourne, exciting news has arrived: Shenzhen Airlines will launch nonstop flights between Shenzhen and Melbourne starting December 23, 2025. This marks the first time Shenzhen Airlines has chosen Melbourne as its sole Australian destination, bringing fresh opportunities for travel, trade, and cultural exchange.

Scheduled to operate three times a week, the new service will use the spacious Airbus A330-300 aircraft in a comfortable three-class configuration. Onboard, passengers can enjoy:

• 18 lie-flat business class seats arranged in a 2-2-2 layout, perfect for relaxing or working in comfort on long-haul flights.
• 24 premium economy seats in a 2-4-2 configuration, offering extra space and amenities for a step up from regular economy.
• 267 standard economy seats, also in a 2-4-2 layout, making this route accessible for a broad range of travellers.

This new service will add over 95,000 seats annually to Melbourne Airport and enhance the city’s global connectivity. Shenzhen Airlines is China’s fifth-largest airline and a proud member of the Star Alliance. With a fleet exceeding 230 aircraft, Shenzhen Airlines serves nearly 40 million passengers a year, connecting close to 100 destinations across China, Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia.

Melbourne Airport, already Australia’s vibrant 24/7 international hub, recently recorded its busiest July ever with over a million international passengers, signalling strong and growing demand for flights like this. According to Jim Parashos, chief of aviation at Melbourne Airport, Shenzhen Airlines’ choice to fly here reflects Melbourne’s growing appeal to international carriers and the benefits of open sky agreements.

From Shenzhen Airlines’ side, Vice President Na Na emphasised the importance of this route in their global strategy, calling it a “vital air bridge” between the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and Victoria, deepening connections in both travel and trade.

For anyone planning a trip between Melbourne and China or looking for new routes to explore, Shenzhen Airlines now offers a fresh and comfortable option. Discover more about their routes and services at Shenzhen Airlines.