Air China (Beijing), to meet market demand, starting October 26, 2014, will increase its Beijing – London (Heathrow International Airport) service to two daily flights.

The newly added flights are flights CA855/6. The outbound flight departs from Beijing at 14:30 and arrives in London at 17:50 local time. The inbound flight departs from London at 20:25 local time and arrives in Beijing at 14:45 Beijing time. The original daily flights CA937/8 are operated as normal – the outbound flight leaves Beijing at 12:30, and the inbound flight departs from London at 17:40.

After the schedule expansion, the Beijing – London (Heathrow) service as a whole is operated with Airbus A330-200 aircraft. Its Business Class is configured with 180-degree full-flat seats whose ergonomic design can fully meet the needs of premium business travelers looking to have a fortifying rest during the flight. All classes of service are outfitted with personal entertainment system (AVOD) and power sockets, keeping passengers entertained for the duration of the flight. In addition, on its China-Europe routes, Air China also offers such services as seasonal healthy meals and chauffeured transfers for VIP passengers.

As a member carrier of the Star Alliance, the world’s largest airline network, Air China has been actively expanding its European route network. Currently, Europe has become Air China’s largest overseas market, and Air China now operates over 100 flights between China and Europe a week, enabling passengers to travel from Beijing nonstop to 20 European cities such as London, Paris, Frankfurt, Rome, Moscow and Madrid. At the same time, relying on the extensive route network of the Star Alliance, Air China can easily fly passengers to 1,328 destinations in 195 countries.

Air China issued this statement on the arrival of the pictured B-2006 in Beijing:

Air China’s aircraft which sports the “Air China Loves China” color scheme arrived at Beijing Capital International Airport on September 28, Beijing time, and September 29 marks the day of its maiden flight CA 1501 Beijing – Shanghai. After that, it will be operated on routes Beijing-Shanghai/Guangzhou.

The background color of the new artwork is white. The aircraft’s tail is emblazoned with the “Air China Loves China” design, which is a nod to the red national flag painted on the nose. The fuselage is adorned with patterns of red silk, a Chinese cultural element, symbolizing the bond between Air China and China and highlighting the joyous celebration of China’s National Day. The letter “C” in the word “CHINA” is designed in such an artistic way as to wrap the character “love”, conveying to people of Chinese descent around the world the key message that Air China loves China.

According to an Air China executive, Air China’s predecessor was Civil Aviation Administration of China Beijing Branch established on January 1, 1955. Air China’s development in the past nearly 60 years is nothing short of a microcosm of the growing prosperity of the nation. The carrier has gone international and has joined the ranks of the world’s finest airlines. Therefore, the new color scheme worn by the aircraft is intended to express Air China’s congratulations to the mother country. To create an atmosphere of festivity, during the National Day Air China will also place an outdoor billboard and use baggage stickers, boarding passes and vehicle stickers that carry the “Air China Loves China” design to mark the 65th anniversary of the founding of the republic.

Since the first Boeing 777-300 ER of China’s airline industry was put into service by Air China in July 2011, the type has been very popular with travelers. Today, Boeing 777-300 ER has become the leading type on Air China’s key international routes to European and American cities like Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Washington, Houston, Vancouver, Frankfurt and Paris and hot domestic routes from Beijing to Shanghai, Chengdu and Guangzhou. Of long-range twin-engine jets, Boeing 777-300 ER widebody aircraft has many pluses in terms of both range and passenger capacity. It is more fuel efficient and quieter, aligned with the universally endorsed concept of green flight. AirChina has always been committed to providing better flying space and wonderful travel experience for passengers. On Air China’s Boeing 777-300 ER, ultra-large First Class seats can accommodate 2 people having a meal at the same time; Business Class seats can become full-flat beds; Economy Class seats are designed based on ergonomic principles. First Class and Business Class passengers can have exclusive access to the Central Bar. All classes of service are outfitted with personal entertainment system, power outlets and barrier-free toilets. The mood lighting system can mimic wonderful moments in a day from sunrise to sunset. Boeing 777-300ER has become the preferred choice of business travelers, and is playing an important role in helping Air China expand its presence in the international market.

According to industry experts, Chinese airlines are renewing their fleet of long-range aircraft. With their state-of-the-art technologies and amenities, widebodies like Boeing 777-300 ER and Boeing 747-8 will become the leading types that will help Chinese airlines make inroads into long-haul international markets. In recent years, Air China has seen the number of widebodies delivered to it and the number of its international long-haul routes increasing rapidly, far ahead of the competition. By June 2014, Air China had a fleet of 512 aircraft of Boeing and Airbus families (including those operated by the companies Air China has a stake in). These aircraft are 6.22 years old on average. AirChina has the youngest fleet in China and a reasonable fleet structure featuring both long-range and medium-range aircraft. New aircraft additions will help further extend Air China’s route network.

It is reported in October, Air China’s newly delivered Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental widebody will be put into service. It is anticipated that by the end of the 12th Five-Year Plan, Air China’s fleet (including the aircraft of the companies in which Air China has a stake in) will have reached about 665 aircraft. In the future, Air China will continue to introduce highly efficient, well-performing widebodies like Boeing 787-9 and Airbus 350. By the end of 2015, Air China will have received the delivery of 7 Boeing 747-8s, offering passengers pleasant travel experiences. At present, Air China has become an airline that offers services 24 hours a day and 365 days a year. It operates 323 passenger routes, serving 162 cities in 32 countries (regions). Relying on the route network of the Star Alliance, Air China can fly passengers to 1328 destinations in 195 countries.

Copyright Photo: Royal S. King/AirlinersGallery.com. Brand new Boeing 777-39L ER B-2006 (msn 44931) is decorated in a special “Love China” motif and is pictured after its first flight on September 16, 2014. B-2006 is the last of an initial order of 20 stretched Triple Sevens. B-2006 was handed over on Friday, September 26.

Air China: