China Eastern Airlines is gearing up for the launch of its new nonstop service between Shanghai-Pudong (PVG) and Barcelona (BCN), by fitting one of the Airbus A350-900 aircraft that will operate this route with a special cabin decor, reported China Daily.
The entire passenger cabin of one of the airline’s A350-900 aircraft has been covered in motifs depicting some of the most iconic architectural landmarks of the two cities connected by the new route. These include works by world-famous architect Antoni Gaudí, like the temple of the Sagrada Familia, as well as some of the high-rises that dominate the Shanghai Bund.
Although China Eastern’s Barcelona service does not start until September 26, 2025, this aircraft has been flying with the new cabin interior since early August 2025.
China Eastern has also applied these specially-themed designs to several buses operating in the Shanghai area by the Shanghai Jiushi Group, a government-owned firm which operates parts of the public transport network in the city.
This new service, which will be the first ever scheduled service operated by China Eastern to the Catalan capital, was announced in May 2025 and will run four times per week, departing Barcelona-El Prat International Airport on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.
China Eastern operates its A350-900 aircraft with a four-class configuration and 288 seats (four in First, 36 in Business, 32 in Premium Economy and 216 in Economy Class).
Following the launch of the flight, China Eastern will become the third airline from mainland China to service Barcelona and the fourth Chinese carrier, if we also take into consideration the Hong Kong SAR.
China Eastern will be competing head- on with Air China, which operates its own service between Barcelona and Shanghai, as well as to Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK). Shenzhen Airlines also operates nonstop flights between Barcelona and Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport (SZX), while Cathay Pacific operates a thrice-weekly service to Hong Kong (HKG).