Air China will begin direct flights between Brisbane and Beijing from December 11, shortly after Qantas partner China Eastern shifts to daily Brisbane-Shanghai flights.

The moves mark a dramatic uptick in business and corporate travel opportunities between Brisbane and China's two largest cities.

Travellers will also be able to take advantage of visa-free stopovers in Beijing for up to 72 hours before continuing on to other Air China destinations across Europe and North America.

Air China's Brisbane-Beijing flights will run four days a week – on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday – with the overnight flight departing Brisbane at 7.30pm.

Passengers at the pointy end of the Star Alliance member's Airbus A330-200 will be grateful that the business class seats – even if they're arranged in a 2-2-2 layout – convert to a flat bed.

Looking to book the best business class seat on the flight? We're fans of 15D, 15H, 12D and 12H 

Read more: The best seats in business class on Air China's Airbus A330-200s

AusBT review: Air China's Airbus A330-200 business class, Melbourne-Shanghai-Beijing