Category Archives: Air China

Air China to connect the Silicon Valley with Shanghai

https://airlinersgallery.smugmug.com/World-Airline-News/World-Airline-News-June-2016/i-HtqZbVM/A

Air China’s expansion in North America continues with the launch of its thrice-weekly nonstop service between San Jose, California and Shanghai starting on September 1, 2016. The new flight will be operated by Airbus A330-200 aircraft, offering business and economy class cabins.

San Jose will be Air China’s tenth gateway in North America and its first destination with direct connections to Shanghai from the Silicon Valley. The carrier’s other U.S. and Canada gateways offer nonstop services to Beijing from Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Newark, Washington Dulles, Houston, Honolulu, Vancouver and Montreal.

Air China takes delivery of its first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner

Air China and Boeing officially unveiled the airline’s first 787-9 Dreamliner to the public at a grand ceremony in Beijing on May 25, 2016. The national flag carrier is the first airline in the country to have a 787-9 enter into service.

The pictured B-7877 (msn 34305) was officially handed over to the carrier on May 19, 2016 at the North Charleston, SC (CHS) facility.

This is the first of 15 Dreamliners set to join Air China’s fleet.

The 787-9 complements and extends the 787 family. With the fuselage stretched by 20 feet (6 meters) over the 787-8, the 787-9 will fly over 40 more passengers an additional 285 nautical miles (830 km) with the same exceptional environmental performance — 20 percent less fuel use and 20 percent fewer emissions than similarly sized airplanes.

Air China, headquartered in Beijing, is a leading provider of passenger and cargo services in China with scheduled flight routes connecting 174 cities in 40 countries and regions. Air China will use its 787-9s to ride on the wave of fast growing international passenger traffic by expanding its international network through nonstop point-to-point services.

According to Airline Route, the carrier will introduce the new type (today) on a single Beijing (Capital) – Chengdu flight followed by regular service on the Beijing (Capital) – Shanghai (Hongqiao) starting tomorrow (May 27). Beijing – Guangzhou will follow on July 1, 2016.

Internationally the new type will be introduced on the Beijing – Frankfurt route starting on July 15, 2016.

Photo: Boeing.

Air China finalizes its order for six additional Boeing 777-300 ERs

https://airlinersgallery.smugmug.com/Airlines-Asia-1/Airlines-Asia1-AE/Air-China/i-k3fBBzb

Air China (Beijing) and Boeing (Chicago, Seattle and Charleston) has announced an order for six additional 777-300 ER (Extended Range) jetliners. The order is valued at more than $2 billion at current list prices and bolsters Air China’s long-haul widebody fleet as it looks to expand its international network.

China’s flag carrier continues to modernize its long-haul fleet to replace aging aircraft and plans to expand its growing network internationally. Air China currently operates a fleet 174 Boeing airplanes, including nearly all current Boeing production models, including the Next-Generation 737, 747-8 Intercontinental as well as 777-300 ERs.

With this new order, Air China will increase its unfilled airplane orders with Boeing to 90 units, which include orders for new 787-9 Dreamliners.

Copyright Photo: Rob Skinkis/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 777-39L ER B-2047 (msn 60374) in the special 50th Anniversary of China-France diplomatic relations livery approaches the runway at London (Heathrow).

Air China aircraft slide show:

Air China launches the Beijing – Montreal – Havana route

https://airlinersgallery.smugmug.com/Airlines-Asia-1/Airlines-Asia1-AE/Air-China/i-PGZvK2r

Air China (Beijing) on December 27, 2015 announced at a ceremony held at T3 of Beijing Capital International Airport that it has started China’s first route to Cuba. The inaugural flight departed from Beijing for Havana, the capital of Cuba, with a stopover in Montreal.

The flights CA879/CA880 are operated three times a week on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday. The outbound flight departs from Beijing at 14:00 and arrives in Montreal at 16:20 and at Havana at 20:15. The inbound flight departs from Havana at 09:00, arrives in Montreal at 14:30 and in Beijing at 17:30 the following day. The flights are operated with Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft.

In 2015, Air China has started 29 international routes, and now the carrier’s route network has been expanded to all the six continents of the world.

Currently, Air China serves 10 destinations in Americas including New York (J. F. Kennedy Airport, Newark Airport), Washington, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, Vancouver, Montreal, Honolulu, Havana and Sao Paulo.

Air China aircraft slide show:

Air China is coming to Cuba

https://airlinersgallery.smugmug.com/Airlines-Asia-1/Airlines-Asia1-AE/Air-China/i-DJcgRN4

Air China (Beijing) will start Beijing – Montreal – Havana service on December 27, 2015 , a southward extension to Havana of the carrier’s Beijing – Montreal service already started on September 29. With the extension, passengers make a short stopover in Montreal and then continue their journey to the “Jewel of the Caribbean ” for its romantic Latin American charms.

The new service will bring the number of destinations in the Americas that Air China serves up to 10, including New York (JFK, Newark ), Washington, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston (Bush Intercontinental), Vancouver, Montreal (Trudeau), Honolulu, Sao Paulo and Havana.

The flights CA879/CA880 Beijing – Montreal are operated three times a week on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday. The outbound flight departs from Beijing at 14:00 and arrives in Montreal at 13:40 and Havana at 20:15. The return flight departs from Havana at 09:00, arrives in Montreal at 12:30 and in Beijing at 17:30 the following day. The flights are to be operated with Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft.

Air China aircraft slide show:

Air China to start Chengdu – Paris flights

Air China (Beijing) will start Chengdu-Paris nonstop service from December 12, 2015, which will make Paris the fifth European destination Air China serves from Chengdu after Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London and Moscow, and enable passengers from Chengdu to arrive in Paris within just around 11 hours.

The flights, CA457/8, are operated four times a week on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. The outbound flight departs from Chengdu at 01:30 and arrives in Paris at 06:20. The return flight departs from Paris at 12:15 and arrives in Beijing at 06:00 the second day. The flights are to be operated with Airbus A330-200.

Air China to start Beijing – Kuala Lumpur flights, will also fly to Pakistan

Air China (Beijing) will start Beijing-Kuala Lumpur nonstop service on October 25, 2015.

The flights, CA871/872, are operated four times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. The outbound flight departs from Beijing at 16:45 Beijing time and arrives in Kuala Lumpur at 23:00 local time. The return flight departs from Kuala Lumpur at 00:20 and arrives in Beijing at 06:45. The flights are to be operated with Airbus A330-300 aircraft.

Air China will follow the launch of Beijing-Kuala Lumpur service with the introduction of Beijing-Mumbai, Beijing-Colombo and Beijing- Islamabad-Karachi routes. These new routes to be started will bring the number of destinations in the Asia Pacific region that the carrier serves up to 19.

In other news, Air China will start Beijing-Islamabad-Karachi service on October 26, 2015. The service will make Air China the first Chinese domestic carrier offering an air link between Beijing and Pakistan.

The flights, CA945/6, are operated 3 times a week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The outbound flight departs from Beijing at 18:30 Beijing time and arrives in Islamabad at 21:30 local time and in Karachi at 00:50 local time the following day. The return flight departs from Karachi at 02:20 local time and arrives in Beijing at 11:35. The flights are to be operated with Airbus A330-200 aircraft.

Copyright Photo: Eurospot/AirlinersGallery.com. The first 242-ton Airbus A330-343 F-WWYC (msn 1658) for Air China became B-5977 when it was handed over on September 29, 2015. The airliner carries a special “50th A330 for Air China” emblem.

Air China aircraft slide show:

Air China to arrive in Newark on October 26

Air China (Beijing) will add more flights to its Beijing-New York schedule from October 26, 2015.
The flights to be added four times a week will make Air China the only Chinese carrier serving Newark Airport. Up to now, Air China has been operating two daily flights from Beijing Capital International Airport to JFK Airport.

Currently, Air China serves 8 destinations in North America, including New York, Washington, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, Vancouver, Montreal and Hawaii, offering over 140 flights per week operated with Boeing 777-300ER and Boeing 747-8. In addition, Air China also offers healthy seasonal in-flight meals and VIP chauffeured transfers between the airport and downtown for passengers on the China-US flights. Comfortable cabin environment and attentive services guarantee passengers a truly pleasant travel experience.

The flights CA819/820 Beijing-New York (Newark Airport) are operated with Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft four times a week on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. The outbound flight departs from Beijing at 09:35 and arrives in Newark Airport at 11:05 local time. The inbound flight departs from New York at 13:25 local time and arrives in Beijing at 14:55 Beijing time the following day.

The flights CA981/982 Beijing-New York (JFK Airport) are operated with Boeing 747-800 on a daily basis. The outbound flight departs from Beijing at 13:00 and arrives in JFK Airport at 14:30 local time; the inbound flight departs from New York at 16:50 local time and arrives in Beijing at 18:20 Beijing time the following day. At the same time, flights CA989/ 990 Beijing-New York (JFK Airport) are operated with Boeing 777-300 ER on a daily basis. The outbound flight departs from Beijing at 10:00 and arrives in JFK Airport at 11:30 local time; the inbound flight departs from New York at 13:50 local time and arrives in Beijing at 15:40 Beijing time the following day.

Copyright Photo: Fred Freketic/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 777-39L B-2036 (msn 38676) is pictured during the winter at JFK International Airport.

Air China aircraft slide show:

Air China’s first 242-ton Airbus A330-300 and 50th A330 makes its first flight

Airbus (Toulouse) has issued this statement concerning Air China‘s (Beijing) 50th Airbus A330 and also the first 242-ton A330-300:

The 50th A330 to be operated by Air China, which is also China’s first A330-300 with the increased 242 ton maximum take-off-weight (MTOW) capability, has successfully completed its first flight in Toulouse, France.

Displaying a special livery to celebrate the “50th A330 for Air China”, the aircraft will be delivered to the Chinese carrier in September.

Air China is the flag carrier of China, one of the world’s most dynamic aviation markets. Air China introduced its first A330 in 2006 and since then has become Air China’s benchmark widebody aircraft, supporting its tremendous growth both on domestic and international routes.

Air China operates a fleet of 169 Airbus aircraft, comprising 120 A320 Family and 49 A330 Family aircraft.

The A330 with the higher, 242 ton MTOW is the platform for the future A330neo, and is a concrete example of Airbus’ incremental innovation strategy. Thanks to latest engine improvements, and an aerodynamic package reducing aircraft drag, the A330 with 242 ton MTOW offers an extended range of up to 500 nautical miles and up to two percent reduced fuel consumption. The 242 ton A330 is capable of missions from 30 min to 15 hours.

Top Copyright Photo: Olivier Gregoire/AirlinersGallery.com. The pictured Airbus A330-343 F-WWYC (msn 1658) will become B-5977 on delivery. The 242-ton airliner also carries a special “50th A330 for Air China” logo.

Air China aircraft slide show:

Bottom Photo: Airbus/A. Tchaikovski.

Air China announces a new code share agreement with South African Airways

Air China (Beijing) has announced a code share agreement with South African Airways (Johannesburg) that will enable SA to put its code on CA’s newly inaugurated nonstop service between Beijing and Johannesburg as well as points beyond Beijing to Chengdu, Shanghai, Hangzhou and Chongqing.

Air China will in turn put its code on SA’s services between Johannesburg to Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth. The code share arrangement will open for sale from August 25, for travel effective October 29, 2015.

Both airlines are Star Alliance members, an alliance offering a network unlike any other; with 28 member airlines providing over 18,500 flights a day to over 1,330 destinations in more than 192 countries around the world.

The flights, CA867/8 Beijing – Johannesburg are to be operated on Tuesday/Thursday/Sunday (outbound) and on Monday/Wednesday/Friday (inbound). The outbound flight departs from Beijing at 23:15 Beijing time, and arrives in Johannesburg at 7:35 local time on the following day. The inbound flight departs from Johannesburg at 11:50 local time and arrives in Beijing at 7:30 Beijing time. The flights are to be operated with Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft.

Copyright Photo: AirlinersGallery.com. Air China’s Boeing 777-39L ER B-2006 (msn 44931) in the special “Love China” livery taxies at London (Heathrow).

Air China aircraft slide show:

South African aircraft slide show: