Air China launched Beijing Daxing - Milan Malpensa flight: what it changes for travel between China and Italy

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Marta Skylar
Aviation News Editor
28.07.2026 07:04

Air China launched Beijing Daxing - Milan Malpensa flight: what it changes for travel between China and Italy

Air China, starting June 13, 2026, opened a direct connection between Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) and Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP). For tourists, this is not just another flight in the summer schedule: Milan receives an additional daily line to the Chinese capital, and passengers from Northern Italy can now choose between two major Beijing airports - Daxing and Capital.

The new route is important for several reasons. First, it strengthens direct air links between China and Italy precisely at a time when European-Asian demand is gradually recovering and airlines are once again increasing long-haul flights. Second, it makes Beijing more convenient not only as a final destination but also as a hub for further travel within China and Asia. Third, for Milan, this reinforces Malpensa's role as the main intercontinental airport of the Lombardy region, serving not only business traffic but also tourism, shopping, exhibitions, fashion, gastronomic routes, and trips to the lakes of Northern Italy.

According to the official portal of the Beijing Municipal Government, the Beijing Daxing - Milan Malpensa route starts on June 13, 2026, and is announced as a daily flight under numbers CA749/CA750. Aviation Week also included this line in the list of new routes for June 2026 and noted that Air China uses the Airbus A330-300 on it. The Italian publication The Flight Club further drew attention to a practical detail for passengers: Air China maintains flights between Milan and Beijing Capital, so from mid-June, the city effectively has direct access to two different Beijing airports.

What exactly has changed

Before the launch of the new line, passengers from Milan flying to Beijing with Air China primarily relied on Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK). Now, Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) - a newer mega-hub south of the Chinese capital - is added to this scheme. For some travelers, this may be more convenient if their further route goes through the southern districts of Beijing, via high-speed rail or via domestic flights that connect better specifically at Daxing.

At the same time, it is important not to perceive the two Beijing airports as completely interchangeable. Beijing Capital is traditionally closer to many central districts of the city and remains a very important international hub. Daxing, opened in 2019, is designed as a large-scale modern hub with great growth potential, but is located further from the center. Therefore, when booking a ticket, passengers should look not only at the price and departure time but also at the actual arrival airport, transport to the city, transfer time, and the point of further route.

For the Italian market, the new flight means a greater choice in the direction of China. Milan is a financial, industrial, exhibition, and tourist center, and Malpensa is the key gateway for long-haul flights in the region. Northern Italy has strong business ties with China, but for the tourist market, this is also significant news: Chinese travelers remain an important audience for European cities, luxury retail, cultural routes, ski destinations, and trips to Lake Como, Garda, and Maggiore.

Why this is important for tourists

For travelers from China, the new flight facilitates access to Milan without an additional transfer in another European hub. This is especially useful for short trips, where every transfer consumes time and increases the risk of luggage delay. A direct flight to Malpensa can be convenient for tourists planning not only Milan, but also a combined route: Milan - Lake Como, Milan - Turin, Milan - Venice, Milan - Switzerland, or Milan - mountain resorts.

For European passengers, the route works in the opposite direction: it adds another direct option to Beijing and opens more options for connections within China. Tourists planning Beijing as a separate city break can get more flexibility with dates. And those flying further to Shanghai, Chengdu, Xi'an, Guangzhou, or other cities should carefully compare options via PKX and PEK, as actual convenience depends on the specific transfer, terminal, luggage rules, and time between flights.

There is another practical aspect: China actively uses a visa-free transit policy for certain categories of foreign passengers. According to the National Immigration Administration and official Chinese resources, a 144-hour visa-free transit is available for citizens of specified countries, provided they have a confirmed ticket to a third country or region and comply with established stay zones. This is not a universal visa-free entry for all and not a replacement for a regular tourist visa, but for some travelers, the new flight via Beijing can become part of a wider Europe - China - another Asian country route. Before buying a ticket, it is necessary to check one's citizenship, the permitted port of entry, the rules for leaving the transit zone, and the requirements for the onward ticket.

How to choose between Beijing Daxing and Beijing Capital

The main advice for passengers is simple: when searching for tickets to Beijing, you now need to check not only the city but also the airport code. PKX means Beijing Daxing, PEK means Beijing Capital. A mistake can cost time, especially if the traveler has a scheduled meeting, hotel, domestic flight, or transfer from another airport. A transfer between the two Beijing airports is possible, but it is not a short walk between terminals, but a separate trip across the city or its transport system.

If Beijing is the final destination of the trip, it is worth comparing the hotel location and transport options. If the goal is the city center, historical districts, embassies, or business clusters in the northeast, PEK may remain more convenient. If the traveler is going to the southern districts, uses high-speed rail, or has a connection in the carrier's network via Daxing, PKX may be a more logical choice.

Before flying from Italy or China, it is useful to check the flight status via the online board. For this, pages for Beijing Daxing Airport (PKX), Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP), and Beijing Capital Airport (PEK) are available on the site. If the route involves an early departure or late arrival, you can look at hotels near Beijing Daxing or hotels near Milan Malpensa in advance. For trips further into Northern Italy, car rental at Milan Malpensa airport may also be useful, but it should be booked only when the route truly involves leaving the city, rather than a short visit to the center of Milan.

What this means for the travel market

The launch of the PKX - MXP flight fits into a broader trend: Chinese airlines in 2026 are more actively expanding their European network, and Europe is again competing for tourists from Asia. For Italy, this is especially important because Chinese demand has not only a tourist but also a commercial dimension. Milan combines luxury shopping, design, fashion, exhibitions, gastronomy, and convenient access to several popular regions. The more direct flights, the easier it is for tour operators and independent travelers to form routes without complex transfers.

For Air China, the new line also has hub significance. Daxing is gradually receiving more international routes, and the flight to Milan shows that the second Beijing airport is used not only for domestic or regional trips, but also for the long-haul network. If the schedule remains stable, PKX may become a more prominent option for passengers from Europe who previously relied on PEK by default.

However, the new route does not guarantee an automatic reduction in ticket prices. Prices will depend on the season, occupancy, competition, fuel costs, availability of connections, and fare rules. For tourists, the practical conclusion is different: you should compare not only the cost but also the full logistics. A cheaper ticket to Daxing may be less convenient if the hotel or onward flight is tied to Capital. Conversely, a flight to PKX may turn out to be optimal if there is a better connection or faster exit to the required district from there.

What to check before booking

  • Airport code: PKX for Beijing Daxing, PEK for Beijing Capital, MXP for Milan Malpensa.
  • Actual flight days in the booking system, especially in the first weeks after launch.
  • Baggage rules and fare conditions, if the route includes domestic flights or separate tickets.
  • Time between flights, if the transfer occurs between different Beijing airports.
  • China's visa or transit rules, if a visit to the city or a short stop in Beijing is planned.
  • Transport from Malpensa to Milan, the lakes, Turin, or other cities of Northern Italy.

Conclusion

The new Air China flight between Beijing Daxing and Milan Malpensa is a significant strengthening of the air link between China and Italy in the summer season of 2026. Its value is not only in the additional frequency, but in the fact that travelers between Milan and Beijing receive a choice between two Beijing hubs. For tourists, this more flexibility, for Milan - a stronger position in the Asian market, for Daxing - another step toward the role of a full-fledged international center. But the most important thing for the passenger remains practical: check the airport code, connections, transport to the city, and entry rules before buying a ticket.

Material prepared based on data from the Beijing Municipal Government, Aviation Week, The Flight Club, official Air China resources, and Chinese immigration clarifications regarding transit rules.