Juneyao Airlines has grown to become one of the largest private airlines in China. This fall, it will take delivery its first wide-body, longhaul jet, a Boeing 787-9.
Juneyao currently has a fleet of 41 Airbus A320 aircraft and 25 Airbus A321 aircraft. From its Shanghai hub, the carrier serves a number of Chinese destinations as well as Japan, Indonesia, Philippines, and Thailand.
With the delivery of ten Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, the first three which will be delivered later this year, Juneyao will begin offering longhaul flights. Although exact routes have not been confirmed, the carrier has expressed a desire to serve North America, Europe, and Australia.
Juneyao’s first new Boeing 787 aircraft will feature a very attractive livery featuring the peony, the national flower of China:
This aircraft will feature fully-lie flats seats in business class. The Thompson Vantage XL seats will be similar to what SAS offers and what Delta features onboard its A350 (though without the doors). Seating will be 1-2-1. In economy class, Recaro CL3710 seats will be used, which Singapore will use on its new A350s and 777Xs and Delta is also using on its A350s.
Juneyao also promises economy class passengers “warm, fantasy lighting, in-flight HD entertainment systems with 12-inch screens, standalone USB interfaces, and other facilities allowing passengers to feel pampered during their flight.”
A Star Alliance Connecting Partner
Juneyao is a Star Alliance Connecting Partner. While not a full-fledged member of the alliance, Star Alliance Gold members who fly Juneyao enjoy:
- Priority Check-in
- Additional Baggage
- Priority Boarding
- Fast Track Security
- Priority Standby
- Lounge Access
- Priority Baggage Delivery
These benefits apply only when connecting to a Star Alliance member flight on the same itinerary.
> Read More: Will Low-Cost Carriers Join Star Alliance?
CONCLUSION
I see Juneyao increasingly popping up when I am searching for United fares to Asia. This carrier intrigues me and I hope to check it out on a future trip to Asia.
image: Juneyao Airlines
Hi Matthew, correct me if I am wrong but I believe these benefits ONLY apply when you connect on to Juneyao from another Star Alliance member flight and not when you just book a point-to-point ticket with them:
“Juneyao is a Star Alliance Connecting Partner. While not a full-fledged member of the alliance, Star Alliance Gold members who fly Juneyao enjoy:
Priority Check-in
Additional Baggage
Priority Boarding
Fast Track Security
Priority Standby
Lounge Access
Priority Baggage Delivery”
You are correct. However, I believe that over time, this partnership will expand to include purely Juneyao itineraries.
Flew them from HKG to PVG last year and to me they’re like a Chinese A3. Not nearly as good as A3 but leagues above other LCC and newer regionals, they may give Cathay Dragon a run for their money