Spring Japan will expand its China network by adding non-stop flights from Tokyo Narita to Beijing Capital from August 1, 2024, the airline announced on July 23, 2024.
For the time being, Spring Japan released schedule for the route for the duration of the 2024 summer schedule (i.e. until October 26, 2024). The flights will operate daily with the exception of a days, as follows:
- IJ17* / Tokyo Narita – Beijing Capital / 5:55PM – 9:15PM
- IJ18** / Beijing Capital – Tokyo Narita / 10:45AM – 3:30PM
* Not operating on August 8, 15, 22, and 29; and October 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26.
** Not operating on August 1, 9, 16, 23, and 30; and October 17, 19, 21, 23, 25.
According to Spring Japan’s statement, “To make maximum use of the management resources of both companies, the codesharing will have Spring Japan’s crew and equipment operate the flights under a wet lease to JAL.” As such, technically, the flights will be JAL’s JL8689 and JL8680, with the Spring Japan IJ17 and IJ18 being codeshares.
Spring Japan will operate the route using the sole passenger aircraft type in its fleet, the Boeing 737-800, which it has equipped with 189 economy class seats.
Beijing will be Spring Japan’s fifth destination in China following Shanghai Pudong, Harbin, Tianjin, and Ningbo.
Currently, Air China and Hainan Airlines offer non-stop flights between Beijing Capital and Tokyo Narita. The former also offers flights from Beijing Capital to Tokyo Haneda alongside ANA and JAL. China Eastern Airlines and China Southern Airlines offer flights from the newer Beijing Daxing Airport to Tokyo Haneda.
