China Eastern Airlines has decided to resume direct flights between China and Sweden, restoring a route that was suspended for six years.
China Eastern Airlines, one of the three country’s major air carriers, will restore direct passenger services between Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) and Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN) on June 22, 2026.
The service will operate three times per week using Airbus A330 aircraft, according to airport operator Swedavia and information published by the airline. Flights are scheduled on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, with flight numbers MU289 and MU290.
The outbound flight, MU289, is scheduled to depart from Shanghai Pudong at 3 p.m. local time and arrive at Stockholm Arlanda at 9:10 p.m. local time, after a flight of approximately 11 hours and 10 minutes. Meanwhile, the return flight MU290 is scheduled to depart Stockholm at 10.40 p.m. local time and land in Shanghai at 2.40 p.m. the following day.
The reopening of the route marks the first direct connection between the two cities since operations were halted in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. The route is expected to strengthen travel options between China and Sweden, supporting business links and tourism.
In a statement, Swedavia noted that the new connection will also provide passengers from Sweden with improved access to destinations across China and Asia through China Eastern’s network.
“On 22 June 2026, a new direct route between Stockholm Arlanda Airport and Shanghai Pudong International Airport will begin operating. Flights will run three times per week,” the airport operator Swedavia announced.
For China Eastern Airlines, the return of the Shanghai–Stockholm route represents part of a broader effort to expand its European network and strengthen its presence in the Nordic region. The airline currently operates dozens of routes between China and major European cities, including London, Paris, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Rome, and Madrid.
