If you haven’t heard of Juneyao Air yet, that’s about to change. The Shanghai-based privately owned carrier launched services to Sydney and Melbourne in December 2024 and is now offering Australian travellers a compelling one-stop connection to Athens via Shanghai, complete with an included stopover.
What is Juneyao Air?
Juneyao Air is one of China’s leading privately owned full-service carriers in a market historically dominated by state-owned airlines. While still relatively unfamiliar to many Australian travellers, it has quietly grown into one of China’s most successful private aviation businesses.
The airline traces its roots to entrepreneur Wang Junyao, who entered China’s tightly regulated aviation sector through charter operations in the early 1990s. Following his tragic death aged just 38 in 2004, leadership passed to his younger brother, Wang Junjin, who oversaw the airline’s rapid expansion.
Under his stewardship, Juneyao achieved IOSA certification in 2009, listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange in 2015 and became the first Chinese airline to join Star Alliance as a Global Connecting Partner in 2017. In 2018, it took delivery of its first Boeing 787 Dreamliner, becoming the first privately owned Chinese airline to operate wide-body aircraft.
The Australian offering
Juneyao Air operates direct flights from Sydney (four times weekly) and Melbourne (three times weekly, increasing to daily during peak periods such as Lunar New Year) to Shanghai Pudong International Airport. Both routes are operated by Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners.
For advisors with clients travelling beyond China, the airline also offers a one-stop option from Sydney to Athens via Shanghai. The Sydney-Shanghai sector takes approximately 11 hours, with onward flights to Athens operating around four times a week.
Juneyao Air continues its rise in Australia under the watchful eye of GM Peng Jia
Where transit times in Shanghai exceed six hours, passengers may be eligible for Juneyao’s Stopover Paid by Carrier (STPC) program, with accommodation and transfers included at no additional cost. For advisors comparing Europe routings, this represents a valuable point of differentiation.
The long-haul product
Juneyao’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners carry 322 passengers in a two-class configuration. Business class features 29 lie-flat seats in a 1-2-1 layout, giving every passenger direct aisle access. Economy class offers 293 seats in a 3-3-3 configuration, with in-seat power, inflight entertainment, complimentary meals and beverages, and onboard Wi-Fi.
How to book
Advisors can access Juneyao Air fares through authorised ticketing agents and via the carrier’s distribution partnership with Flight Centre Travel Group, signed in October 2024.
Tickets can also be booked directly through the airline’s website or compared via consumer platforms including Trip.com.
As a Star Alliance Global Connecting Partner, eligible passengers on select routes can earn and redeem frequent flyer points.
You can also contact sales.au@juneyaoair.com for more information.
What’s next?
Juneyao Air has indicated it intends to further expand its Australasian footprint. While a planned Shanghai-Christchurch service has been postponed, the carrier has identified both Brisbane and Christchurch as potential future destinations while continuing to increase frequency on existing Australian routes.
With new ports on the radar and frequencies set to rise, Juneyao’s Australian story is only getting started.
