Air China Expands With Second Daily Nonstop Flight From Los Angeles to Beijing

EL SEGUNDO, Ca., Jan. 12, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- More seats will be available for business and leisure travelers to and from the United States and Mainland China on September 1, 2011 when Air China starts its second daily nonstop flight between Los Angeles and Beijing.  The flight, operated with the B747-400, is scheduled to arrive in LAX at 11 a.m., and turn around and depart for Beijing at 1:20 p.m.  This additional flight will not only double the choices for passengers, especially business travelers bound for Beijing or onward to domestic Chinese cities, but will also create excellent connections to such important Asian destinations as India, Vietnam, the Philippines, Thailand, etc.

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"Our second flight out of LAX will allow passengers to conveniently and easily proceed to other cities in China, Asia and elsewhere in the world, effectively increasing our competitiveness, market share and penetration.  Beijing and beyond will be well served by this new flight, making China's capital city a true global hub," Dr. Zhihang Chi, Air China's Vice President and General Manger for North America, stated.

"This new flight demonstrates our commitment to and confidence in the U.S. market, particularly the U.S. West Coast and Los Angeles," Dr. Chi added.  A study by the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation shows that an international nonstop flight contributes US$623 million annually to the local economy and supports 3,100 local jobs.

On March 26, 2010, Air China made a major investment in the California economy when it inaugurated its 100% company-owned building in El Segundo, the headquarters for the airline's North America operations.

In July 2011 Air China will take delivery of the first of its fifteen B777-300ERs.  Featuring private suites in Forbidden Pavilion First Class and flat beds in Capital Pavilion Business Class, the aircraft will gradually replace the B747 currently used for its transpacific flights.

The international carrier's growth in North America also extends to its Vancouver gateway. On March 27, 2011 Air China will increase the Vancouver-Beijing flight frequency from 10 to 12 per week.  Bookings for this are now open.

Air China is the exclusive national flag carrier of China.  It is the only airline that provides daily nonstop flights to Beijing from Los Angeles.  In addition to its Vancouver gateway, Air China also operates daily nonstop flights to Beijing from New York and San Francisco.  A member of Star Alliance, Air China is also the world's largest airline by market capitalization, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).  Air China is firmly committed to passenger safety, satisfaction and service.  With a fleet of 280 Boeing and Airbus aircraft, Air China's 264 routes serve 29 countries and regions.  The company's eminent position in China's aviation history is best demonstrated by the Chinese national flag painted on the fuselage of its fleet, a distinct privilege that is afforded solely to Air China.   Most interestingly, the Chinese calligraphy of its name was written by Deng Xiaoping, the paramount leader whose reforms are credited for China's ascendance as a world economic power.

For more information, visit www.airchina.com.  For reservations and sales, please contact 1-800-881-8122.  

SOURCE Air China