Tag Archives: Beijing

United Airlines and Air China expand their codeshare agreement

United Airlines (Chicago) and Air China (Beijing), members of Star Alliance, have announced plans to expand their code-sharing cooperation, covering an additional 22 routes in the China and U.S. markets. With this expansion, United and Air China will codeshare together on more than 110 routes, offering customers the most comprehensive route network between the U.S. and China.

Air China will place its CA code on United-operated flights on 12 additional U.S. domestic routes: from Los Angeles to Dallas/DFW, Cleveland, Tucson, San Antonio, New York/Newark and Seattle; from San Francisco to Salt Lake City and Austin; from Washington, D.C./Dulles to Columbus and Tampa; and from Houston/Bush Intercontinental to Tampa and Nashville. United will place its UA code on Air China-operated flights on 10 additional domestic routes in China: from Beijing to Mianyang, Taiyuan, Sanya, Shanghai Hongqiao, Yinchuan, Xining, Liuzhou, Haikou and Lanzhou; and from Shanghai Pudong to Yinchuan.

These new code-sharing routes will be open for sale from June 2, 2015.

Air China and United have enjoyed a successful cooperative relationship since 2003.

Air China in the U.S.

Air China has six gateways in the U.S.: New York/JFK, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston/Bush Intercontinental, Washington, D.C./Dulles and Honolulu.

United in China

United began nonstop service to China in 1986 and today serves Beijing with nonstop flights from Chicago, New York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington/Dulles; Shanghai with nonstop flights from Chicago, Guam, Los Angeles, New York/Newark and San Francisco; Chengdu with nonstop flights from San Francisco; and Hong Kong with nonstop flights from Chicago, Guam, New York/Newark, San Francisco, Singapore and Ho Chi Minh City.

Top Copyright Photo: Mark Durbin/AirlinersGallery.com. San Francisco (SFO) is United’s main gateway to the Pacific. Boeing 777-222 ER N786UA (msn 26938) arrives at the SFO hub.

United Airlines aircraft slide show:

Air China aircraft slide show:

Bottom Copyright Photo: Mark Durbin/AirlinersGallery.com. Air China’s newly delivered Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental has been put into service on the carrier’s Chongqing – Beijing – San Francisco route starting in May 2015. This is Air China’s second route to North America operated with the “Queen in the Sky” after the airliner was introduced on the carrier’s Beijing-New York route at the beginning of this year. The pictured Boeing 747-89L B-2487 (msn 44932) rests between flight at San Francisco International Airport.

Hainan Airlines starts Chongqing – Rome flights

Hainan Airlines (Haikou and Beijing) initiated nonstop flight service between Chongqing and Rome on April 27, 2015. Flight HU 7991, the inaugural flight took off from Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport at 1:30 am on April 27 Beijing Time and landed at Rome’s Fiumicino-Leonardo da Vinci International Airport at 7:50 am local time. Rome has been added to the roster of Hainan Airlines’ destinations in Europe following Paris, Brussels, Berlin, Moscow and Saint Petersburg. As one of the gateway cities to western China, Chongqing now has its first direct flight to Western Europe.

On the afternoon of April 26, Hainan Airlines held a brief inaugural ceremony in Chongqing. When flight HU 7991 landed in Rome, airport staff greeted the passengers arriving from China with the traditional water cannon salute.

Photo Above: Hainan Airlines.

Following the opening of the Chongqing-Rome route, Hainan Airlines plans to shortly open several more international routes, including Beijing-San Jose, Shanghai-Boston and Shanghai-Seattle/Tacoma.

Hainan Airlines’ Chongqing-Rome route is serviced by the twin-aisle Airbus A330-200 capable of transporting 260 passengers.

Top Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A330-243 B-6089 (msn 919) arrives at the Beijing hub.

Hainan Airlines aircraft slide show:

Air China and Air New Zealand announce proposed alliance details, Air China to start Beijing-Melbourne service and will increase Boeing 777-300 ER flights to Los Angeles

Air China (Beijing) and Air New Zealand (Auckland) have released details of a proposed alliance on services between China and New Zealand.

The alliance, subject to regulatory approvals, would see Air China introduce a daily nonstop service between Beijing and Auckland.

The Chinese flag carrier would also continue to codeshare on Air New Zealand’s daily Shanghai – Auckland service which will be operated exclusively by Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft from August 24.

The proposed alliance would further open up Beijing as a new market to and from New Zealand and the airlines aim to almost double sustainable capacity between China and New Zealand while delivering a range of other benefits to travellers including greater frequency and network connections.

Subject to regulatory approvals, alliance services could commence as early as December 2015.

In other news, Air China will start Beijing-Melbourne four-times weekly nonstop service from June 1, 2015, becoming the only carrier that offers Beijing-Melbourne nonstop service. At the same time, the carrier will continue its Shanghai-Melbourne nonstop service.

The four-times weekly flights CA 165/6 will be offered on Monday/Wednesday/Friday/Sunday. The service is slated to increase to daily from October 25, 2015. The outbound flight departs from Beijing at 02:00 and arrives in Melbourne at 15:30 local time; the return flight departs from Melbourne at 20:40 local time and arrives in Beijing at 06:30. The flights will be operated with Airbus A330-200 aircraft.

Finally, Air China will add flights to its Beijing-Los Angeles route from May 2015, further strengthening its presence on the North American market.

The new flight numbers are CA 887/8. From May 2 to June 30, 2015, four flights will be offered per week on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. From July 1 to October 24, the flights will be increased to daily. The outbound flight departs from Beijing at 12:00 and arrives in Los Angeles at 09:00 local time. The return flight departs from Los Angeles at 11:30 and arrives in Beijing at 15:10 local time. Boeing 777-300 ER, an aircraft type quite popular with the world’s business travelers, features full-flat seats in First Class/Business Class as well as Central Bar, personal AVODs and power outlets in all classes of service, accessible toilet and mood lighting system which can mimic wonderful moments from sunrise to sunset.

From 2013 to 2014, Air China started three nonstop routes: Beijing-Houston, Beijing-Hawaii and Beijing-Washington. Currently, Air China serves 7 destinations in North America, including New York, Los Angeles, Houston, San Francisco, Washington, Vancouver and Hawaii, spanning the southern, western and eastern parts of the United States. It offers 104 flights per week operated with the Boeing 777-300 ER. On January 7, 2015, Air China’s first Boeing 747-8, a new member of Boeing 747 family, made its maiden flight on its long-range route: Beijing-New York.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 777-39L ER B-2039 (msn 38675) departs from Los Angeles International Airport.

Air China aircraft slide show:

Air New Zealand aircraft slide show:

Air China announces its third nonstop flight from Beijing to Los Angeles

Air China (Beijing) has formally announced the third nonstop service between Los Angeles and Beijing starting on May 2, 2015.

Air China’s third service will start with four flights per week on May 2, 2015 and will increase to daily on July 1, 2015. Dr. Chi also announced Air China’s move from Terminal 2 at LAX to Tom Bradley International Terminal on July 1, 2015.

The additional third service (flight CA 887/CA 888) will be operated by Air China’s new generation Boeing 777-300 ER.

The carrier further states; “Featuring state-of-the-art green technology, the triple seven delivers better fuel burn performance and is much quieter than any other aircraft. With a spacious three-cabin interior, ambient lighting and an enhanced entertainment system, the B777-300ER provides transpacific passengers with a smooth, comfortable experience. It features eight luxury suites in the Forbidden Pavilion (first class), 41 fully-flat sleeper seats in the Capital Pavilion (business class) and 259 economy seats with individual TV monitors and in-seat audio-video on demand.”

Air China is the only airline with nonstop services between Los Angeles and Beijing. It is also the only Chinese carrier with more-than-once daily frequency from the United States to China.

Air China offers nonstop services to Beijing from its seven gateways in North America: Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Washington Dulles, Houston, Honolulu and Vancouver. In addition to Los Angeles, Air China is also the only airline with nonstop services to Beijing from New York and Houston. It offers double daily services from New York’s JFK International; daily services from Houston, Vancouver and San Francisco; four times weekly service from Washington Dulles and three times weekly from Honolulu to Beijing.

On January 6, 2015, flights CA 981/CA 982 between New York and Beijing was upgraded to Boeing’s newest and largest passenger wide-body aircraft, the Boeing 747-800. On May 1 this year, the aircraft for Air China’s daily nonstop San Francisco-Beijing service will also be upgraded to the iconic Boeing 747-800. Air China’s Boeing 747-800 is the first in Air China’s fleet with a four-cabin configuration: Forbidden Pavilion, Capital Pavilion, Premium Economy and Economy. Air China is the launch carrier in Asia for Boeing’s 747-800.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Air China’s Boeing 777-39L ER B-2045 (msn 41443) approaches the runway at Los Angeles International Airport.

Air China aircraft slide show:

Hainan Airlines to fly to China from Boston and San Jose, California

Hainan Airlines (Haikou and Beijing) today announced it plans to begin three new nonstop routes between the United States and China. Service will be inaugurated from Silicon Valley’s Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport to Beijing on June 15, from Boston’s Logan Airport to Shanghai’s Pudong Airport on June 20, and as previously reported, from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to Shanghai Pudong on June 22.

Mainland China’s only certified Skytrax five-star airline will operate two-class Boeing 787 Dreamliners on between San Jose and Beijing five days a week: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with early afternoon departure times. Service between Boston and Shanghai will operate thrice weekly: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, with afternoon times. Between Seattle and Shanghai, using a two-class Airbus A330-200, the airline will operate four days a week, Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, with midday departure times.

From Boston, flights will depart at 4:25 pm (1625) and arrive Shanghai at 7:35 pm (1935) the following day. Return flights will depart Shanghai at 11:45 am (1145) and arrive Boston at 2:25 pm (1425) the same day. Flight time is 15 hours ten minutes westbound and 14 hours forty minutes eastbound.

The new flights from San Jose represent the first ever nonstop service between Mainland China and Silicon Valley. Flights will depart San Jose International Airport at 1:10 pm (1310) and arrive Beijing at 4:40 pm (1640) the following day. Return flights will depart Beijing at 2:30 pm (1430) and arrive San Jose at 11:10 am (1110) the same day. Flight time is 12 ½ hours westbound and 11 hours 40 minutes eastbound.

Cargo service is offered on all flights.

Service on the existing Beijing routes to and from Boston, Seattle/Tacoma and Chicago (O’Hare) will increase to daily on May 1, 2015. Hainan Airlines also operates daily between Toronto, Canada and Beijing.

Copyright Photo: TMK Photography/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner B-2728 (msn 34938) departs from Toronto (Pearson).

Hainan Airlines aircraft slide show:

Hainan Airlines adds more nonstop flights from Seattle/Tacoma to China

Hainan Airlines (Haikou and Beijing) is adding more flights from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to China. The fast growing carrier will add a new route from SEA to Shanghai on June 22. The new route will operate four days a week (on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays) with two-class Airbus A330-200 aircraft.

Flight 7956 will depart Seattle/Tacoma at 12 noon (1200) and arrive Shanghai Pudong Airport at 4:30 pm (1630) the following day. Flight 7955 will depart Shanghai Pudong at 1:15 pm (1315) and arrive Seattle/Tacoma at 9:35 am (0935) the same day. Flight time is 13 ½ hours westbound and 11 hours 20 minutes eastbound.

The new service compliments the existing service from SEA to Beijing, which will expand to daily service on June 15.

Hainan started serving SEA in June 2008.

Copyright Photo: Mark Durbin/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A330-243 B-6088 (msn 906) is pictured at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

Hainan Airlines aircraft slide show:

American Airlines announces its first Boeing 787 routes

American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) has announced it will begin domestic service with the Boeing 787 Dreamliner in May and international service in June.

The 787 initially will be deployed between Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) beginning on May 7, before launching internationally between DFW and Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) beginning June 2. The new aircraft will also operate between DFW and Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) in Buenos Aires beginning on June 4. American will deploy the 787 to additional markets in 2015 as it takes delivery of new aircraft.

Above Photo: American Airlines. Business Class.

Arranged in a two-class cabin configuration, American’s 787-8 features 28 fully lie-flat Business Class seats arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration. The custom-designed forward-and rear-facing seats provide direct-aisle access for every Business Class customer for more mobility throughout the cabin. The aircraft is equipped with satellite Wi-Fi capability to keep customers connected while traveling internationally. The premium cabin also features inflight entertainment selections on a 15.4-inch HD Panasonic touchscreen monitor positioned in each seat. Business Class customers will also be offered Bose® QuietComfort® Acoustic Noise Cancelling® headphones and ear buds. Each seat is equipped with universal AC power outlets and a USB jack.

Above Photo: American Airlines. Main Cabin.

The Main Cabin will be outfitted with 48 Main Cabin Extra seats in a 3-3-3 configuration, offering customers up to six inches of additional legroom, and 150 Main Cabin seats also arranged in a 3-3-3 configuration. Every seat offers a 9-inch HD Panasonic touchscreen monitor with an assortment of movies, TV programs, games and audio selections. Each Main Cabin seat is also equipped with universal AC power outlets and a USB jack.

Other advanced features on the Dreamliner include larger dimmable windows, improved cabin humidity and improved sound quality. American’s 787-8s will also feature a walk-up bar stocked with snacks and refreshments for customers traveling in the premium cabin.

American has placed firm orders for 42 Boeing 787 aircraft, with the right to acquire an additional 58. American already has the youngest fleet of the U.S. global network carriers, with an average aircraft age of 12.3 years. In 2015, American plans to take delivery of an average of two new aircraft per week. These new deliveries will make American’s fleet even younger, more modern and more efficient and will provide a solid foundation for continued improvements in technology, products and services.

Video: American Airlines. Testing and accepting the first Boeing 787:

American Airlines aircraft slide show (current livery):

American Airlines to launch the new Dallas/Fort Worth – Beijing route

American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) will begin operating its new daily service between Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) on May 7, marking the airline’s sixth daily flight to Asia from DFW and the only nonstop flight connecting DFW and Beijing. With the addition of this service, American will offer 11 routes between the U.S. and Asia. Customers may begin booking flights on the new route this Saturday, Jan. 24.

Daily DFW-PEK Service Schedule (all times local):

AA 89
Departs DFW at 10:40 a.m.
Arrives at PEK at 2:15 p.m. the following day

AA 88
Departs PEK at 4:25 p.m.
Arrives at DFW at 5 p.m.

The new flight from DFW will complement American’s existing service from Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) to Beijing. With the addition of Beijing, American will offer nonstop service from Dallas/Fort Worth to five key markets in Asia – Beijing, Hong Kong, Seoul, Shanghai and Tokyo.

American will operate its service between DFW and Beijing with a Boeing 777-200 aircraft. The airline is retrofitting all 47 of its 777-200s to refresh the cabins and enhance the premium experience on international flights. The retrofitted 777-200 features a Business Class product designed especially for American’s customers, with a fully lie-flat seat, direct aisle access and a private flying experience. The plane has a modern interior – including a walk-up bar – with unique lighting, a dramatic archway and a spacious look. It also has Main Cabin Extra and all Main Cabin seats have in-seat entertainment systems.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 777-223 ER N797AN (msn 30012) arrives at Los Angeles International Airport.

American Airlines aircraft slide show (current livery only):

http://airlinersgallery.smugmug.com/Airlines-UnitedStates-1/Airlines-UnitedStates-1/American-Airlines

Air China introduces the new Boeing 747-800 to New York, will also operate on the Beijing – San Francisco route

Air China (Beijing) will introduce the new Boeing 747-800 on the Beijing – San Francisco route on May 1 per Airline Route. The carrier introduced the new type on the Beijing – New York (JFK) route yesterday (January 7). The new type will also be assigned to the Beijing – Chongqing route starting on May 1.

Air China today issued this statement:

Air China’s Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental debuted internationally on the Beijing-New York route on Wednesday, January 7, 2015. Expected arrival at JFK International is at 1:30 p.m. EST local time. A New York welcome awaits the Boeing 747-8i’s first international flight from Beijing, starting with a traditional water cannon salute shortly after landing, followed by a reception inside the cabin hosted by Air China’s New York offices led by Mr. Yuelong Zhou, General Manager.

Air China’s Flights 981 and 982 will be operated by the new-generation Boeing 747-8i on a daily basis while Flights 988 and 989 continue to be operated by Boeing 777-300 ER.

Air China is the launch carrier in Asia for Boeing’s newest wide body passenger aircraft. It is also the first inChina to operate the Boeing 747-8i and the only airline with nonstop services between New York and Beijing.

Air China’s Boeing 747-800i features 12 luxury suites in the Forbidden Pavilion first class cabin, 54 fully-flat sleepers Capital Pavilion business class, 66 premium economy seats and 233 in the economy cabin for a total of 365 seats.

The business class 180-degree flat-bed seats are split between the main deck and the entire upper deck, giving Air China’s guests an exclusive private space. Majority of the lie-flat sleepers are arranged in a staggered 2-2 configuration.

Seats in premium economy and economy cabins offer more legroom for maximum comfort. An enhanced entertainment system offers a wide array of user-friendly features, including mobile phone apps and a sliding touch control.

Air China’s Boeing 747-8i is also the first to sport the company’s new cabin interior (below) which depicts three traditional Chinese cultural elements that represent the harmonious unity of heaven, earth and sky.

Copyright Photo: Bernie Leighton/AirlinersGallery.com. Air China took delivery of the pictured Boeing 747-89L B-2485 (msn 41191) on September 30, 2014.

Air China aircraft slide show:

Photo Below: Air China. Air China’s new Boeing 747-800 cabin:

Video: Building the Air China Boeing 747-800:

Air China to finalize an order for 60 Boeing 737s including 737 MAX aircraft

Air China (Beijing) is planning to finalize an order for a combination of 60 Boeing Next-Generation 737s and 737 MAX aircraft. Boeing issued this statement:

Boeing is pleased that Air China has committed to purchase 60 737s, including Next-Generation 737 and 737 MAX airplanes. The commitment when finalized will be valued at more than $6 billion at current list prices.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Air China already operates a large Boeing 737 NG fleet including the 737-800. Boeing 737-89L B-5447 (msn 40015) arrives at Beijing hub.

Air China aircraft slide show: