Upgrades To Boeing 777-300ER, Expands Frequency

Air China has upgraded the equipment it uses on its New York to Beijing route. Beginning March 31, passengers will be making the trip on a new Boeing 777-300ER. The frequency of the flights will also increase from 7 to 11 per week for its nonstop New York-Beijing flights.

"Adding new flights is a response to a consistently growing passenger demand for more convenient nonstop services between New York and Beijing.  Business or leisure travelers bound for Beijing or onward to domestic Chinese cities and other destinations in Asia such as Hong Kong, Vietnam, India, the Philippines, Thailand and many others, stand to benefit the most from Air China's increased capacity and convenient connecting flights," Mr. Yuelong Zhou, Air China's General Manager in New York, said.

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.

As the largest long-range twin-engine jetliner, Boeing says the B777-300ER is cleaner and greener. It also brings twin-engine efficiency and reliability to the long-range market and delivers better fuel performance. "Operating the New York-Beijing flight with the new 'triple seven' provides Air China with a significant advantage in the highly competitive New York market.  It shows our commitment to provide air travelers with the best product from John F. Kennedy International Airport to Beijing.  I'm sure our guests will appreciate the features of the energy-efficient Boeing 777-300ER," Zhou said.

The 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 B777-300ER.

(Image provided by Boeing)

FMI: www.airchina.us