Domestic Flights in Beijing
Domestic flights in Beijing serve other cities within China. Airlines that provide domestic flights provide great service especially for people who are always on the move and doing business in the country.
Some domestic routes are also operated by foreign airlines in China. Since many of the domestic airlines may not be able to cover very long distances, they have established partnerships with other airlines that can cover long-haul routes.
One characteristic of these domestic airlines is that they offer very cheap prices for domestic flights in Beijing, as compared to those that also cover international routes. They also tend to give promos for their tickets once in a while to encourage more people to travel locally, especially during the holidays. The sizes of the aircraft used for domestic flights may vary from large models like the Boeing 747 to the more compact Airbus planes.
Some fourteen domestic carriers operate flights daily from airports in Beijing. These domestic flights head to cities in Southern China (such as Guangdong and Xiamen), the eastern seaboard (Shanghai), Western and Central China (Urumqi, Xian) and the mountainous southwest (Yunnan). Domestic flights in China will bring you out of Beijing and can take you to China’s imperial tombs, panda farms, tea gardens and ravishing mountain escapes. Chartered domestic flights to special tourist attractions like Macau and Hainan Island are also available.
You can be assured about the safety of your flights as the Beijing authorities have cut back on the number of flights that can be flown daily from its airports. This policy gives flights more breathing space to maneuver around Beijing. Also, new domestic airlines are not scheduled to operate until Beijing’s main airport can expand its passenger and cargo handling capacity.
A few tips will help travelers enjoy a better experience while travelling on China’s domestic airlines. For example, the best deals are usually available from last minute airfares and online ticket purchases that are made months in advance. During the holidays, volunteering to get off an overbooked flight can get you an upgrade on the next flight, free of charge. It helps to have flexible travel plans and to constantly get price updates online. One way to ensure this is to subscribe to an airline website’s updates.
Some counters in airports in China are especially reserved for people with domestic flights. This includes Beijing’s main airport. Check online to know which airport counters you should head first. This will save you from making unnecessary trips or even from going to the wrong terminal.
When Beijing experiences the holiday rush, it’s a good idea to go to the airport early. There are three tolled expressways and one non-toll road that leads into Beijing’s biggest airport, which is served by shuttle buses, taxi cabs and rental car services. Keep in mind that Beijing’s main airport is rapidly becoming one of the busiest in the world. Congestion might be heavy during peak travel times, so factor in the transfer time when you are taking flights out of Beijing.