Air China starts serving San Francisco-Beijing route with B747-8i

Air China has increased the capacity on its San Francisco-Beijing route by deploying a larger aircraft. The airline has now deployed its Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental aircraft for operating flights to San Francisco on the U.S. West Coast starting May 1 this year.

The daily nonstop service between China’s capital Beijing and the City by the Bay was earlier being served by the new-generation Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. Dr. Zhihang Chi, Air China’s Vice President for North America, said, “It is a matter of great delight that the San Francisco-Beijing route has been upgraded with the environment-friendly, more fuel-efficient and bigger B747-8i aircraft. The airline will now be able to fulfill the growing demand of business and leisure travelers for travel between the two fabulous cities.

The Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental is presently the first and only aircraft in Air China’s fleet having a four-cabin configuration. Those traveling in the airline’s first class cabin (Forbidden Pavilion) are offered 12 luxury suites. The customers booking business class tickets for travel between the two cities will be offered 54 fully-flat bed seats in the business class cabin (Capital Pavilion). Apart from the first and business class, the airline is also offering 66 seats in premium economy cabin and 233 seats in economy class cabins. The aircraft is configured with a total of 365 seats.

Providing details about the Capital Pavilion cabin, the airline said that the 180-degree fully-flat sleepers have been split between the main deck as well as the entire upper deck. The business class seats are arranged in a staggered 2-2 configuration and ensure maximum privacy to the premium customers.