Air China, China's national flag carrier, has announced the addition of the third daily service flight between Los Angeles and Beijing starting May 2, 2015.
Dr. Zhihang Chi, Air China's Vice President for North America, made the announcement in a press conference held at Tom Bradley International Terminal, Feb. 20.
Consul General Jian Liu, Consulate General of the People's Republic of China, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, L.A. City Councilmember Mike Bonin and Los Angeles World Airports' Deputy Executive Director Samson Mengistu were also present to extend their welcome remarks.
Dr. Chi said that the third service of the flag carrier will start with four flights per week, which will increase to daily flights on July 1, 2015. He added that Air China will move from Terminal 2 at LAX to Tom Bradley International Terminal on July 1.
Dr. Chi remarked that Air China's growth in North America would increase connectivity and facilitate travel from China to the United States as well as strengthen the bilateral trade, tourism and cultural ties between the two countries.
He added that the new service will also provide convenience to travelers willing to go to China and other destinations in Asia.
Air China said that the additional third service (CA887/CA888) will be operated by Air China's new generation Boeing 777-300ER. It features state-of-the-art green technology, is fuel efficient and is much quieter than other aircraft.
The third service also has a spacious three-cabin interior, with enhanced entertainment system. It has eight luxury suites in the Forbidden Pavilion (first class), 41 flat sleeper seats in the Capital Pavilion (business class) and 259 economy seats, each equipped with TV monitors and in-seat audio-video features.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti welcomed the new service, which he said would help to meet the city's goal of 50 million visitors a year by 2020 that will result in the creation of more jobs in the city.
He also noted that the number of Chinese tourists has quadrupled in the last four years and the new service would help facilitate tourism activities in the city.
The United Nations Tourism Organization has projected that 100 million Chinese will travel abroad this year and this includes Los Angeles as their top destinations.