China Eastern Airlines launches first direct route from Yangtze River Delta to Georgia

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On July 15, 2026, China Eastern Airlines flight MU285 departed from Shanghai Pudong International Airport, flying directly to Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, marking the official launch of the first direct route from the Yangtze River Delta region to Georgia. This is the first passenger route between the two countries operated by a wide-body aircraft, with three round trips per week on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. The outbound flight MU285 has a flight time of approximately 10 hours and 10 minutes, while the return flight MU286 takes about 9 hours.

China Eastern Airlines operates this route using the Airbus A330 wide-body aircraft, offering complimentary in-flight Wi-Fi service to all passengers across all classes. Economy class passengers receive standard free data, while business and first class passengers enjoy high-speed dedicated internet access. To celebrate the inaugural flight, China Eastern Airlines held a commemorative event at Shanghai Pudong International Airport, where passengers on the maiden voyage were presented with custom souvenirs and commemorative boarding passes.

Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, is a key node city in the Belt and Road Initiative and implements a visa-free policy for Chinese citizens. With the launch of this route, China Eastern Airlines will further expand its route network covering Europe, Central Asia, and the Caucasus region, strengthening the radiating capacity of Shanghai International Aviation Hub to the Eurasian hinterland, and promoting cultural and business exchanges as well as regional connectivity between the two areas.