Portugal will soon gain a new direct air link to China, as Beijing Capital Airlines prepares to launch a seasonal Lisbon-Beijing service. The route will add a second nonstop connection between the two countries and reduce the need for passengers to connect through European or Middle Eastern hubs.
The airline plans to run the service weekly for around three months, starting in late June. The move comes as demand for long-haul travel between Portugal and China continues to recover and as airlines adjust schedules amid wider disruptions in international aviation.
What the new Lisbon-Beijing route will look like
Beijing Capital Airlines said flight JD627 will depart from Beijing Daxing International Airport at 10:55 a.m. and arrive in Lisbon at 5:15 p.m. local time every Monday. The return flight, JD628, will leave Lisbon at 6:55 p.m. local time and reach Beijing Daxing at 2:00 p.m. the following day.
The route will use Airbus A330 wide-body aircraft with business and economy class cabins. This aircraft type is commonly used on long-haul routes because it can carry more passengers and offers better range for intercontinental operations.
A rare direct link between Portugal and China
At present, there are no direct flights between Lisbon and Beijing, so most travelers must connect through another airport. According to the information provided to Lusa, Beijing Capital Airlines already operates the only direct air route between Portugal and China, which links Lisbon with Hangzhou.
That Lisbon-Hangzhou service runs twice a week and resumed after China ended its zero-Covid policy. The flight lasts about 13 hours, making it an important option for passengers traveling between the two countries without a stopover.
Why the new route matters now
The timing of the announcement also reflects wider pressure on global aviation routes. Recent conflict in the Middle East has disrupted multiple flights that normally rely on stopovers in the region, forcing airlines to cancel or reroute services.
The expansion also comes during a period of operational imbalance in long-haul aviation. Chinese airlines can still use Russian airspace on many Asia-Europe routes, while European carriers remain blocked from doing so after sanctions imposed on Moscow following the invasion of Ukraine.
That difference gives Chinese airlines shorter flight paths and lower fuel costs on some routes, which can strengthen their price and scheduling advantage over European competitors. For passengers, the new Lisbon-Beijing service means another direct option, while for Portugal it increases air connectivity with one of the world’s largest aviation markets.
Key details of the route
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Airline | Beijing Capital Airlines |
| Route | Beijing Daxing to Lisbon |
| Flight number | JD627 / JD628 |
| Frequency | Weekly |
| Start of service | Late June |
| Duration of operation | About three months |
| Aircraft | Airbus A330 |
| Cabin classes | Business and economy |
What travelers can expect
The new service should make travel simpler for business passengers, tourists, and family visits, especially for travelers who prefer to avoid longer itineraries with multiple connections. It also strengthens Lisbon’s role as a gateway between Europe and Asia, at a time when airlines are looking for more stable and efficient long-haul links.
With the Hangzhou connection already in place, the addition of a Beijing route gives Portugal a broader direct presence in the Chinese market, and it may improve options for passengers as airlines continue to adjust to shifting geopolitical and operational conditions across global air travel.
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