China Eastern Airlines announced Friday to open a new round-trip direct flight route between Shanghai and Istanbul starting from September 28.

This marks the first time a Chinese airline has opened the Shanghai-Istanbul route, connecting these two renowned global cities and significant aviation hubs through a new aerial pathway.

Flights MU703, MU704 will operate 3 times per week. The outbound flights will be on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, which will depart at 1:30 a.m. Beijing time from Shanghai Pudong International Airport, and arrive at Istanbul Airport in Turkey at 8:30 a.m. (local time).

The return flights will depart at 2:00 a.m.(local time) from Istanbul on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, and arrive at Shanghai at 5:30 AM Beijing time the following day.

The timing of the flights takes into full consideration of the convenience for passengers.

Travelers arrive in Istanbul at 8:30 a.m., allowing for connection to subsequent flights to destinations in Europe, Africa, and other regions.

Upon arriving at Shanghai Pudong, passengers can also immediately take flights heading to the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, Taiwan region, as well as flights to neighboring countries in Southeast Asia, Japan, and South Korea.