| Following the recent United States federal approval | | | | are taking the opportunity to travel to the United |
| United Airlines has launched the Beijing to Washington | | | | States. This has resulted in a well patronized US-China |
| DC direct flight service. The first flight to Beijing from | | | | air routes attracting strong interest from the airlines. |
| Washington DC flew in late March 2007. | | | | When the new slot between the US and Beijing was |
| Seven airlines now provide direct flights to the | | | | opened up last year, airports and airlines waged a |
| Chinese mainland from US cities. Four American airlines | | | | tough battle to secure the prized new route. |
| and three Chinese airlines service the US-China routes. | | | | Ma Kezheng, a former diplomat who has previously |
| When the new slot opened up Northwest airlines | | | | lived in Washington, said it was the right decision and |
| tried to break into the lucrative US-China market | | | | will bring the two capitals closer together culturally. He |
| however the option it put forward which would have | | | | was surprised it took this long to open the route. |
| seen flights to Beijing from Detroit was rejected. | | | | "I found it difficult to travel home to Beijing from |
| United airlines put forward a case that highlighted the | | | | Washington without the option of the direct flight," |
| benefits of linking the two capitals. | | | | said Kezheng. |
| It was with great excitement that the first direct | | | | United Airlines are using a 347-seat Boeing 747-400 |
| flight to Beijing from the United States Capital was | | | | to service the route. The flight time to Beijing from |
| launched. Many seasoned travelers said this flight was | | | | the US capital is around 13 1/2-hours. In the past east |
| long overdue. For Chinese families living in the | | | | coast travelers would normally have to fly via |
| Washington area and for many government officials | | | | Chicago in order to get to and from the Chinese |
| and business people the flight servicing Beijing direct | | | | capital. |
| from Washington was welcome news. | | | | Special ceremonies were held at the airport in |
| The first-ever non-stop flight from Washington DC | | | | Washington prior to the departure of the inaugural |
| arrived at the Beijing Capital International Airport at | | | | flight to Beijing. One of the guests, Zheng Zeguang, a |
| 1:55 pm on March 29, 2007 | | | | Chinese embassy minister, said the |
| Previously, many east coast travelers would fly to | | | | Beijing-Washington route increases the number of |
| China through Chicago, which could present problems | | | | weekly flights servicing the two countries from 105 |
| when bad weather caused delays. Some travelers | | | | to 119. |
| would even miss connecting flights due to the bad | | | | Travelers are hopeful that even more flights will be |
| weather that is common place in Chicago. The | | | | added in the future as there is high demand for seats |
| Chicago to Beijing direct flight has been operating | | | | on a Beijing flight. The Chinese government is holding |
| since April 2001. United Airlines also operates this | | | | back further expansion of services to China as it tries |
| route. | | | | to protect the domestic airlines from competition |
| As more and more Chinese benefit from the | | | | that would come if it allowed the market to open up |
| booming economy in that country Chinese nationals | | | | further. |