You dream of Bangkok, Tokyo, or Bali, but the prices to Asia give you cold sweats? We understand. Since the crisis in the Middle East, ticket prices have skyrocketed on many European airlines. But there is an alternative that many French travelers still ignore: Chinese airlines. Air China, China Southern, and China Eastern offer round trips from Paris-CDG starting from 500 € to Asia, sometimes half the price of the competition. We explain why, and most importantly, how to take advantage of it.
Why Chinese airlines are slashing prices to Asia
The secret lies in two words: Russian airspace. Since 2022, Western airlines are no longer allowed to fly over Russia. As a result, a Paris-Tokyo flight with Air France takes a detour of 2 to 3 hours compared to the most direct route. Air China, China Southern, and China Eastern have no problem flying over Russia.
In practice, it changes everything. Less time in the air means less jet fuel (we’re talking about saving thousands of dollars per flight), faster airplane turnovers, and significantly lower operating costs. These savings, the Chinese airlines pass them on directly to the prices.
And the trend is accelerating. Chinese airlines now control 83% of the capacity on the China-Europe route, up from 67% in 2019, according to Air Journal. For the summer of 2026, they are adding 2,900 additional flights to Europe: Air China leads with +1,120 flights, followed by China Southern (+839) and China Eastern (+654). In other words, there has never been more choice from Paris.
Air China, China Southern, China Eastern: comparison from Paris-CDG
It’s not easy to navigate between the three major Chinese airlines operating from Paris. Here’s the essential information to help you choose.
Air China operates from its hub in Beijing-Daxing. A member of Star Alliance (like Lufthansa or Air Canada), it serves 18 European countries with 229 weekly flights this summer. From Paris, you can fly directly to Beijing and then easily connect to Tokyo, Seoul, or Bangkok. Observed prices: round trips Paris-Beijing from 627 €, with regular promos down to 430 €.
China Southern uses its hub in Canton (Guangzhou). A SkyTeam member (like Air France), it is the ideal gateway to Southeast Asia: Bangkok, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Bali, Kuala Lumpur. Round trips Paris-Canton from 629 €.
China Eastern connects through Shanghai-Pudong. Also a SkyTeam member, it plans to have 1.9 million round-trip seats on 20 China-Europe routes this summer, up by +20% compared to 2025. Perfect for reaching Japan (Osaka, Tokyo), Taiwan, or the Philippines. Round trips Paris-Singapore via Shanghai from 610 €. The airline is even considering a direct flight from Shanghai to Lyon, a first to the French province.
Good to know: Hainan Airlines is also an option from CDG, with flights to Shenzhen (5 times a week on Boeing 787-9). Rated 5 stars by Skytrax, it offers superior service, but is not part of any alliance.
How to choose your Chinese layover to reach Asia
The choice of layover depends on your final destination. Here’s a quick guide.
Beijing (Air China): the best choice for Japan (Tokyo-Narita), South Korea (Seoul-Incheon), and Mongolia. Connections are fast and well-organized. However, be aware that security checks during transit may be longer than in Shanghai.
Shanghai (China Eastern): ideal for Japan (Osaka, Tokyo-Haneda), Taiwan, and the Philippines. The big bonus: the 144-hour visa-free transit allows you to visit Shanghai during your layover. The hub is also known for smoother transit formalities.
Canton/Guangzhou (China Southern): the gateway to Southeast Asia. Bangkok, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Bali, Kuala Lumpur are all within a few hours flight from Canton.
The trick: since late 2024, China offers a 30-day visa-free stay for French nationals upon direct entry. And the 144-hour visa-free transit works in 54 Chinese airports, including Beijing, Shanghai, Canton, Chengdu, Xi’an, and Kunming. In other words, your layover can turn into a bonus mini-trip of 24 to 48 hours. A day in Shanghai? We recommend the Bund at sunset (we have a complete guide for China without a visa).
What to know before booking a Chinese airline
A few practical points to travel with peace of mind.
Baggage: Chinese airlines are more generous than European ones in economy class. Generally, expect 2 x 23 kg checked baggage included in the ticket, with no extra charge.
Onboard service: meals included on all flights, individual screens, blanket, and pillow. The quality varies by airline (Hainan Airlines stands out with a 5-star service), but overall, it’s decent. Our advice: don’t expect business class Gulf standards, but it’s very reasonable for the price.
Frequent flyer program: good news for mileage collectors. Air China accrues Star Alliance miles (usable with Lufthansa, Air Canada, Turkish Airlines). China Southern and China Eastern are SkyTeam: your miles are compatible with Air France-KLM.
Passenger rights: a reminder. The EU Regulation 261/2004 applies to all flights departing from Paris-CDG, even on a Chinese airline. In case of a delay of more than 3 hours or cancellation, you are entitled to compensation of up to 600 €.
Booking: opt for comparison sites (Google Flights, Kayak, Momondo) or the airlines’ official websites. Avoid third-party agencies without French customer service, as recourse may be more limited in China.
Alternatives to fly to Asia affordably
Chinese airlines are not the only option for affordable flights to Asia.
Finnair via Helsinki takes the polar route, bypassing both Russia and the Middle East. It’s reliable and comfortable, but the prices are higher. Turkish Airlines via Istanbul offers a wide Asian network with a good value for money, albeit with longer flight times. Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa is a lesser-known option for Southeast Asia, with sometimes very competitive prices. We detailed these 5 alternative routes in a dedicated article.
For French travelers, Air France has enhanced its Asia program for summer 2026 (Bangkok, Tokyo, Singapore, Bangalore), but the airline is still penalized by the detour costs. Naturally, prices are higher than on Chinese airlines from Paris.
If you are heading to Japan, keep in mind that the departure tax triples starting in July 2026: an extra cost of around 16 euros per person to factor into your budget.
Our tips for getting the best deals
Practically, here’s how you can maximize your chances of getting a good fare on a Chinese airline to Asia.
- Book 2 to 3 months in advance: it’s the sweet spot for the best prices on Chinese airlines from Paris.
- Compare the three hubs (Beijing, Shanghai, Canton): prices vary widely depending on the layover, sometimes by 100 to 200 euros for the same final destination.
- Aim for midweek departures (Tuesday to Thursday): fares are consistently lower than on weekends.
- Watch for promos from Air China (regularly down to 430 euros round trip to Beijing) and China Eastern.
- Enjoy the layover: with the 144-hour visa-free transit, a 24 to 48-hour layover in Shanghai or Beijing turns your journey into a bonus mini-trip, with no visa fees.
The good deal: Air China sometimes offers a free transit hotel in Beijing for long layovers. Inquire at the time of booking.
So, would you try a layover in Shanghai or Canton for your next flight to Asia? With these tips in hand, you have all the cards to travel to Asia without blowing your budget.
