Passengers traveling between Beijing and Shanghai are increasingly favoring high-speed trains over flights, as China’s modern rail system continues to outpace the air travel industry in convenience and reliability. In 2024, over 52 million passengers made the journey by bullet train, compared to just 8.6 million air travelers, reflecting a significant shift in preferences.
Business travelers are driving much of this change, drawn to rail’s superior punctuality, city-center connectivity, and uninterrupted internet access, which allows them to work during the journey. China’s fastest trains now cover the 1,300-kilometer route in just over four hours, with services operating at speeds of up to 350 km/h. With over 100 high-speed trains running daily in both directions, the Beijing-Shanghai High-speed Railway has become one of the country’s most profitable rail lines, generating 42 billion yuan in revenue and 12.8 billion yuan in net profit in 2024.
The train cabins feature amenities that appeal to business-class passengers, including fully-reclining seats, adjustable laptop tables, and multiple charging outlets. This level of comfort and connectivity, along with stable scheduling even in adverse weather, gives rail travel a clear edge. Passengers also avoid the lengthy check-in and boarding procedures required for flights, gaining valuable time on both ends of the trip.
In contrast, airlines struggle with frequent delays and limited flexibility. Despite offering around 55 flights each way daily using widebody aircraft, carriers are facing shrinking market share. The China Air Transport Association has warned that the air travel sector’s passenger base is being eroded, particularly among high-end customers.
To counter this trend, airlines like China Eastern and Air China have introduced premium services, including limousine pickups and cross-carrier ticket flexibility for frequent flyers. Price cuts have also become common, with some airfares undercutting train ticket prices. However, these measures have yet to offset the growing appeal of rail.
With Beijing and Shanghai collectively generating over 10 trillion yuan in economic output in 2024, travel demand is expected to keep rising. Experts are now urging China Railway to further increase service frequency, potentially emulating Japan’s Tokaido Shinkansen, which operates nearly 150 departures daily in each direction between Tokyo and Osaka.
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