Tag Archives: Shanghai

Air China is gradually phasing out the Boeing 747-400

Air China (Beijing) is gradually phasing out its aging Boeing 747-400 fleet. The Jumbo is being replaced with newer Boeing 777-300ERs. The fleet is now down to four aircraft. The flag carrier is ending domestic Boeing 747-400 scheduled flights on June 30 according to Airline Route. The last domestic route is the Beijing – Shanghai (Hongqiao).

The carrier will continue to fly the type until October 25 on the following routes:

Beijing – Hong Kong
Beijing – Tokyo (Narita)
Shanghai (Pudong) – Tokyo (Narita)

The Jumbo, subject to change, is expected to then exit the fleet.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 747-4J6 B-2460 (msn 24348) arrives at Tokyo’s Narita International Airport (NRT).

Air China:

United announces its second international route for the new Boeing 787-9

United Airlines (Chicago) previously announced that it will fly the new Boeing 787-9 on international nonstop service between its hub at Los Angeles International Airport and Melbourne, Australia, beginning in October. The airline will fly the route six times weekly with the aircraft. United will be the first North American carrier to take delivery of the stretched 787-9.

United has completed the final cabin configuration and painting. The 787-9 will be configured with 252 seats – 48 in United BusinessFirst and 204 in United Economy, including 88 Economy Plus seats with added legroom and increased personal space. The first 787-9 will also be one of five aircraft used by Boeing in a flight test program to certify the aircraft.

United has now announced its second route for the 787-9. UA will introduce the new stretched Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner on the Los Angeles-Shanghai (Pudong) on March 5, 2015, initially with four weekly flights (daily by May 8, 2015).

In other news, United Airlines has announced that dispatchers, represented by the Professional Airline Flight Control Association (PAFCA) and the Transport Workers Union (TWU), have ratified a new joint labor agreement for all United Airlines dispatchers. The agreement covers more than 330 United dispatchers.

United has achieved joint collective bargaining agreements with a majority of the company’s represented work force, including pilots, fleet service, passenger service, reservations and storekeeper workgroups.

The company is starting an expedited negotiations process with the Association of Flight Attendants and expects to enter back into negotiations with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, representing United’s technicians, soon.

Copyright Photo: Bernie Leighton/AirlinersGallery.com. An aerial view at the Boeing’s flight line at Paine Field, Everett of the first United Airlines Boeing 787-9, registered as N38950 (msn 36401).

United Airlines (current):

Video: A tour of the initial Boeing 787-8:

American Airlines today launches new service between Dallas/Fort Worth and Hong Kong and Shanghai

American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) today launches daily nonstop service between its Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) hub and Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) and Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)

The new daily service between DFW and Hong Kong will be operated with a Boeing 777-300 ER, marking the first time American will deploy its flagship aircraft to Asia. The aircraft features a three-class cabin configuration with fully lie-flat seats in First and Business Class, international Wi-Fi, and more customer and cargo capacity than any other aircraft currently in American’s fleet.

The new service between DFW and Shanghai will be operated with a Boeing 777-200 ER aircraft. American will be retrofitting its entire fleet of 777-200 ERs to include fully lie-flat Business Class seats, each with aisle access; new seats in the Main Cabin; in-seat entertainment; and international Wi-Fi capability. The new fully lie-flat Business Class seats on American’s 777-200 ERs will afford travelers among the largest living space of any 777 Business Class seat offered by any U.S. carrier.

Daily DFW-HKG Service Schedule (all times local)
AA 137
Departs DFW at 12:45 p.m.
Arrives at HKG at 6:05 p.m. the following day

AA 138
Departs HKG at 1:30 p.m.
Arrives at DFW at 4:30 p.m.

Daily DFW-PVG Service Schedule (all times local)
AA 127
Departs DFW at 10:55 a.m.
Arrives at PVG at 2:55 p.m. the following day

AA 128
Departs PVG at 4:50 p.m.
Arrives at DFW at 6:10 p.m.

These new routes are operated as part of American’s joint business agreement with fellow oneworld® alliance member Japan Airlines-JAL (Tokyo). Through oneworld member airlines and their affiliates, American’s customers have access to nearly 150 destinations within Asia.

The service to Hong Kong will add a new destination to American’s international network, and the service to Shanghai complements American’s existing service from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD).

Copyright Photo: Brian Peters/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 777-323 ER N720AN (msn 33522) rotates on the runway at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW).

American Airlines (current):

Air New Zealand revises its inaugural Boeing 787-9 routes to Tokyo and Shanghai

Air New Zealand (Auckland) is now planning to introduce the new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner on the Auckland-Tokyo (Narita) route on November 14, 2014 according to Airline Route. The new type will also be introduced on the Auckland-Shanghai (Pudong) route starting on November 30.

The initial inaugural route of Boeing 787-9 service remains the Auckland-Perth route effective on October 15. All schedules are subject to change pending certificate and delivery of the new type.

In other news, Air New Zealand welcomed the decision, which is the first of two regulatory approvals required, from the Competition Commission of Singapore concerning the proposed alliance between Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines (Singapore). The alliance is also subject to the approval of the New Zealand Minister of Transport.

The Competition Commission of Singapore has found that any competition concerns associated with the proposed alliance are outweighed by the net economic benefits to Singapore.

Copyright Photo: Bernie Leighton/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 787-9 ZK-NZE (msn 34334) is pictured at Paine Field near Everett, Washington fresh out of the paint shop (see video below).

Air New Zealand:

Video: The painting of the first ANZ Boeing 787-9:

Ethiopian starts nonstop Boeing 787 flights to Shanghai, China

Ethiopian Airlines (Addis Ababa) on March 29 started daily nonstop service to Shanghai, China. Ethiopian operates the Shanghai flight using its Boeing 787 Dreamliner with 24 Cloud Nine Business Class and 246 Economy Class seats.

Shanghai is Ethiopian’s 80th international destination.

Copyright Photo: Wingnut/AirlinersGallery.com. Up close on the ramp at London’s Heathrow Airport. Boeing 787-8 ET-AOO (msn 34743) taxies past the camera.

Ethiopian Airlines:

Air China to start a new route from Shanghai to Munich on June 6

Air China (Beijing) will inaugurate Shanghai-Munich nonstop service on June 6, 2014, bringing the number of the European cities it serves from Shanghai up to 4, with the other three cities being Frankfurt, Milan and Paris. Currently, Air China operates from Shanghai, Beijing and Chengdu to Europe and is the largest operator of China-European routes.

The four-times weekly service CA 827/8 will be operated on Tuesday/Thursday/Friday/Sunday. The outbound flight departs from Shanghai at 01:00 Beijing time and arrives in Munich at 07:10. The return flight departs from Munich at 12:35 local time and arrives in Shanghai at 05:45 Beijing time the following day. Like on other routes to Shanghai, A330-200, a widebody type, is used on the new route. Its Business Class is outfitted with full-flat seats and all classes of services offer personal entertainment system and power outlet, guaranteeing a truly pleasant and easy journey.

Air China:

Ethiopian Airlines to start daily Boeing 787 service to Shanghai on March 29

Ethiopian Airlines (Addis Ababa) will start daily Boeing 787 service to Shanghai, China on March 29.

Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 787-8 ET-AOR (msn 34746) prepares to touch down at Dulles International Airport near Washington.

Ethiopian Airlines:

EVA Air joins the Star Alliance today

EVA Air (Taipei) today (June 18) joined the Star Alliance network, further strengthening the Alliance’s presence in Asia/Pacific. At the official joining ceremony held at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport Mark Schwab, CEO Star Alliance said: “EVA Air has successfully completed all joining requirements and I can confirm that our Chief Executive Board (CEB) has now unanimously accepted EVA Air into our Alliance.”

Founded just over 16 years ago, Star Alliance has progressively built its presence in Asia/Pacific and now has eight member carriers based in this region, which continues to show a growing demand in air travel, posting 5.2% growth in 2012. At present, 19 Star Alliance member airlines operate more than 4,000 daily flights to, from and within the Asia / Pacific region, serving 280 airports in 44 countries.

Austin Cheng, President, EVA Air said: “Star Alliance membership gives us the privilege of serving new customers from all corners of the globe and introducing our passengers to the seamless services and status recognition that the Alliance provides. As a member, we have the opportunity to introduce travellers to new ways of connecting to destinations throughout Asia via our hub in Taipei.”

Star Alliance was founded with the mission of providing seamless global air travel for the high value international traveller. EVA Air’s customers will now have access to a global network of 28 airlines, operating more than 21,900 daily flights to 1,328 airports in 195 countries. In addition to bringing Kaohsiung in Taiwan and Surabaya in Indonesia as unique airports to the network, EVA Air expands the Alliance’s presence on the important Cross-Straits market, which has grown from an annual passenger volume of just over 3 million in 2009 to around 9 million in 2012. Moreover, Taiwan’s geographic location is such that it has the shortest average distance to all major cities in the Asia-Pacific region, making Taiwan’s Taoyuan International Airport an important hub in the region. In total, Star Alliance now offers 10 hubs across Asia / Pacific: Tokyo – Narita and Haneda, Seoul – Incheon, Beijing, Shanghai – Pudong, Taipei – Taoyuan, Shenzhen, Bangkok, Singapore and Auckland.

Top Copyright Photo: Star Alliance. The flight attendants (in their uniforms) of the member airlines welcome EVA Air at Taipei.

EVA Air:

Bottom Copyright Photo: Yuji Wang/AirlinersGallery.com. EVA Air is a big corporate sponsor of the Hello Kitty cartoon series and brand created and owned by the Japanese company Sanrio. The third Hello Kitty logojet, in the form of Airbus A330-302X B-16333 (msn 1274) prepares to land at Shanghai (Hongqiao) (please click on the photo for the full-size view).

Star Alliance Members:

JetBlue and Asiana move closer with a new interline agreement

JetBlue Airways (New York) and Asiana Airlines (Seoul) have announced the launch of an interline agreement to connect each other’s networks and bring new flight options to travelers between Asia and the Americas.

Through the arrangement, effective immediately, travelers can book single-ticket travel combining flights on both carriers and enjoy one-stop baggage check-in when they transfer between the airlines at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

JetBlue is the largest domestic airline at JFK, where Asiana offers daily nonstop service to its global hub at Incheon International Airport. Travelers can connect onward to cities across Asia and Oceania via Seoul.

U.S.-bound travelers will enjoy easy transfers at JFK from Asiana to JetBlue destinations including Boston, Massachusetts; Burlington, Vermont; Syracuse and Buffalo/Niagara Falls, New York; Portland, Maine, Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and six cities in Florida including Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, and Jacksonville.

Top Copyright Photo: Keith Burton. Embraer ERJ 190-100 IGW N348JB (msn 19000511) with the Barcode tail fin gracefully climbs away from Toronto (Pearson).

JetBlue Airways:

Asiana Airlines:

Bottom Copyright Photo: Yuji Wang. Boeing 767-38E HL7514 (msn 25763) of Asiana Airlines arrives from the Seoul hub at Shanghai (Pudong).

Air China to introduce the Boeing 777-300 ER on the Beijing-New York JFK route on March 31, will launch Chengdu-Frankfurt flights on May 19

Air China (Beijing) on March 31, 2013 will upgrade its aircraft to the Boeing 777-300 ER (see above) and increase its frequency from 7 to 11 per week for its nonstop New York (JFK)-Beijing flights.

Air China is the only airline with nonstop service between New York and Beijing. It is also the only airline with first class cabin between these two cities. Current daily flights between New York and Beijing are CA 982 and CA 981.

The additional outbound flight, CA 990, departs from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 2:50 AM, arriving in Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) at 2:20 PM local time the next day. Inbound, CA 989 leaves Beijing at 9:00 AM also on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, arriving in New York at 10:20 AM local time on the same day.

According to the airline, the “Triple Seven” has a wider cabin than any competing aircraft. It is designed for maximum passenger comfort and convenience. Air China’s Forbidden Pavilion (first class) features eight luxury suites, 41 full-flat bed seats in the Capital Pavilion (business class) and 259 economy seats with individual monitors and in-seat audio-video on demand (AVOD).

Designed for maximum passenger comfort, the interior of Air China’s Boeing 777-300 ER feature ten mood lighting variations in the Forbidden and Capital Pavilions, each timed to complement the different phases of a flight—from boarding through meal service, sleeping and pre-arrival. The ambient lighting recreates the sunset, night and sunrise to reflect the various services associated with each phase and create a totally relaxing environment.

Today’s announcement follows last week’s approval granted to Air China by the U.S. Department of Transportation to start four weekly nonstop services between Houston and Beijing on July 11, 2013 using the Boeing 777-300 ER. Houston is Air China’s fifth gateway in North America in addition to New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Vancouver. The Los Angeles-Beijing service, operated with the Boeing 777-300ER, will resume its double daily flights on March 31, 2013. Vancouver-Beijing is scheduled to increase from 7 to 11 flights per week on May 17, 2013. A bigger Boeing 747-400 full passenger aircraft will be used for the San Francisco-Beijing daily operation beginning on March 31, 2013.

In other news, Air China will commence nonstop Chengdu-Frankfurt service on May 19, 2013.

Chengdu, the capital of a province widely known as China’s breadbasket, is a southwestern Chinese city with huge growth potential. Recent years have seen a continuous uptick in the number of outbound travelers from Chengdu and other southwestern neighboring cities like Lhasa, Kunming and Xi’an who leave China via Chengdu. Currently, passengers who travel between Chengdu and other southwestern regions and Germany have to transfer in Beijing, Shanghai or Hong Kong, and the whole journey takes at least 15 hours. The opening of the new Chengdu-Frankfurt nonstop service will make Chengdu the third Mainland China city with direct air links to Frankfurt. The whole flight takes just 10 hours, which represents a significant cut in travel time. This faster service will be another driver of the fast growth in tourism and economy of southwestern China.

The three-times weekly service, CA431/432, will be operated with an Airbus A330-200 (see below) on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday. The flight time is approximately 10 hours. The flight leaves Chengdu at 01:30 and arrives in Frankfurt at 06:10 on the same day. The return flight is expected to take off from Frankfurt at 14:00 and arrive at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport at 05:40 the next day.

Top Copyright Photo: Yuji Wang. Boeing 777-39L ER B-2035 (msn 38674) in the “Smiling China” special livery climbs away from Shanghai (Hongqiao).

Air China:

Bottom Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing. Airbus A330-243 B-6117 (msn 903) completes its approach back at the Beijing hub.