The Next Route to China in 2008

Once again, major U.S. airlines are gearing up to duke it out for the one new direct route that will be awarded to China. They’re putting out press releases, calling on friends and trying to persuade the powers that be that their airline in particular can offer the best service between the United States and China. The new route will take flight in March of 2009.

• American Airlines is proposing service from Chicago O’Hare to Beijing, China. (Which is a change for its 2007 plan of DFW to Beijing)
• United Airlines has dual proposals, with San Francisco to Guangzhou on the board for 2008 and Los Angeles to Shanghai for 2009.
• U.S. Airways is hoping for Philadelphia to Beijing.
• Continental is shooting for New York to Shanghai.

Regardless, someone will be adding a direct route to China next March.