China Eastern Inaugurates Direct Vienna-Xi'an Air Route

April 27, 2026 — China Eastern Airlines (CEAir) officially inaugurated a new nonstop air service on April 26, 2026, linking Vienna, Austria, with Xi'an, the capital of Shaanxi Province in northwest China. This marks the first direct air connection between Austria and the northwest region of China.

The new route facilitates travel and strengthens economic and cultural ties between the two regions. The launch expands CEAir's intercontinental network, leveraging Xi'an as a significant hub for its operations.

Flight Schedule and Aircraft

China Eastern Airlines operates three weekly flights on the new Vienna-Xi'an route. Services are scheduled for Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

• Flight MU5064: Departs Vienna at 13:30 local time, arriving at Xi'an Xianyang International Airport at 05:50 the following day.
• Flight MU5063: Departs Xi'an at 01:30 local time, arriving in Vienna at 06:10 local time.

The route utilizes an Airbus A330 wide-body aircraft. This aircraft is configured with 18 business-class seats and 245 economy-class seats, offering a total capacity of 263 passengers per flight.

Network Expansion and Connectivity

This new route significantly enhances China Eastern Airlines' global footprint. Xi'an now serves as a crucial international gateway, with CEAir operating 16 international routes from the city, connecting it to 14 global destinations.

For passengers traveling from Austria, direct access to Shaanxi Province opens up opportunities to explore historical sites such as the Terracotta Army. Furthermore, the route provides seamless onward connections via CEAir's extensive network throughout China and across Asia. The addition of Vienna expands CEAir's European network, which already includes major cities like London, Paris, Rome, Amsterdam, and Frankfurt.

Travel Eligibility

Austrian passport holders benefit from China's visa-free policy, which permits stays of up to 30 days for business, tourism, or transit purposes. This policy is valid until December 31, 2026. Conversely, Chinese citizens planning to travel to Austria are required to secure a Schengen visa prior to their departure.

The initiation of the Vienna-Xi'an service underscores China Eastern Airlines' strategy to enhance international connectivity and reinforce its hub-and-spoke model, benefiting both business and leisure travelers.