Hainan Airlines launches Chicago-Beijing route

Hainan Airlines, the largest airline in China as per its fleet size launched its nonstop flight on Chicago-Beijing route recently. The carrier has opened a new gateway into the United States with this route. This five-star airline of China will operate twice-weekly flights on Tuesdays and Sundays between these cities.

It plans to switch the service to Boeing 787 Dreamliner and replace the Airbus A340 used currently. The carrier is however, awaiting government approvals for the same. In December, it plans to add more flights and increase the frequency to four flights per week. Beginning June 2014 this service would operate on a daily basis.

Airline tickets for the 288-seater A340-600 aircraft are now available. Passengers can book seats in one of the three classes to travel to their destination. The Dreamliner plane is equipped with a seating capacity for 211 customers. It comprises 36 fully flat bed seats in business class in 2-2-2 configuration. The economy seats are available for 177 passengers in 3-3-3 configuration. All the seats in both classes are fitted with a 15-inch touch screen panel and power outlet.

As per the schedule, flight 498 will depart from Chicago at 3:25 pm and arrive in Beijing at 7:05 pm, the next day. Flight 497 will depart Beijing at 12:35 pm and arrive in Chicago at 1:25 pm the same day.