BEIJING, Feb. 28, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Air China will start Beijing-Vienna-Barcelona service on May 5, 2014, giving travelers an additional easy access to the "Capital of Music" and the "Flower of Europe".

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The four-times weekly service CA841/2 will be offered on Monday/Thursday/Friday/Sunday. The outbound flight will leave Beijing at 02:10 and arrive in Vienna at 06:10 local time and in Barcelona at 09:25 local time. The return flight will leave Barcelona at 11:25 local time and arrive in Vienna at 13:25 local time and Beijing at 05:55. The service is to be operated with a widebody A330-300. Onboard, the Business Class is outfitted with full-flat seats. The Premium Economy Class offers 120% of the legroom available in standard Economy Class and great mileage deals. The Economy Class impresses with its ergonomic seats that make journeys less tiring. Personal entertainment systems are available in all classes of service.

Vienna and Barcelona are two European cities known worldwide for their stunning sceneries, rich history, intriguing cultures and splendid art treasures. Vienna is hailed as the "Goddess of the Danube", and Barcelona, "Pearl of the Iberian Peninsula". Vienna oozes classic charms. Stroll along the Danube or walk through Vienna's Golden Hall to realize what music means to the city. Barcelona, which sits on the shores of the tranquil Mediterranean, is the hometown of brave matadors. Admire the city's Gothic, Baroque and modern buildings, and get excited to observe the passionate flamenco dance.

For a long time, no nonstop flights have been offered to link East Asia and Barcelona, and there have been very few flights between Beijing and Vienna. With the increasingly close exchanges between China and Europe in recent years, demand for air travel is growing rapidly. According to IATA's projections, Europe's international passenger demand is expected to grow by 4.7% in 2014. At the same time, a survey shows that the Chinese travelers to Europe have been increasing at a two-digit rate in the past 10 years. Industry experts point out that, in addition to travelers for business, public affairs and academic exchanges, leisure travelers to Europe will become mainstream, and in-depth travel and FIT (free and independent travel) markets will continue to grow. Air China's Beijing-Vienna-Barcelona service will not only make it easier to travel between East Asia and Central and Southern Europe, sparing passengers the trouble of having to make transfers, but also offer an additional option to travelers between such cities as Tokyo, Seoul, Hong Kong, Bangkok and Manila and Europe.

As a member carrier of the Star Alliance, the world's largest airline network, Air China has been actively expanding its European schedule. Currently, Air China offers more than 100 flights per week between China and Europe, serving such major European cities as London, Paris, Frankfurt, Rome, Moscow and Madrid. The Beijing-Vienna-Barcelona service will bring Air China's European routes up to 23, offering access to 19 European cities and expanding the carrier's European network. It will further improve its global network with its hub in Beijing and make it easier for travelers to transit to other parts of the world via Beijing.

Moreover, Air China also offers travelers gourmet meals and Sky Cellar onboard, as well as chauffeured transfers for VIPs on the ground. With a comfortable cabin environment and attentive services, Air China will be a great choice for travelers between China and Europe.

SOURCE Air China