China Eastern launches first direct flight between Shanghai and Tbilisi

China Eastern Airlines has kicked off a new direct route connecting Shanghai and Tbilisi, giving travelers between China and Georgia a way to skip the layovers that were once necessary for the route.

The Shanghai-based carrier launched the service on July 15, 2026, marking the first time a widebody aircraft has flown directly between the two countries. It’s also the first route to link Georgia with China’s Yangtze River Delta region, an area long seen as a hub for business and trade.

Flights run three times a week, on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, connecting Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) with Tbilisi International Airport (TBS) aboard an Airbus A330.

What flying the route looks like

Heading west, flight MU285 departs Shanghai at 12:50 local time and lands in Tbilisi at 19:00. local time. 

The return trip, flight MU286, leaves Tbilisi at 21:00  local time and arrives in Shanghai at 10:00 local time. the following day.

For travelers on either end, the route also comes with a practical perk: ordinary passport holders from China and Georgia can enter the other country visa-free for stays of up to 30 days.

A new link for business, culture, and tourism

Beyond cutting travel time, China Eastern says the route is meant to strengthen ties between the two countries, opening up easier movement for business travelers, tourists, and cultural exchange alike. 

Tbilisi has increasingly positioned itself as a bridge between Europe and Asia, and a direct connection to Shanghai, one of China’s largest economic centers, gives that role a more tangible boost.

For now, the three-times-weekly schedule offers a modest but steady bridge between the two cities.

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