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United to Launch First Ever Non-Stop Service from U.S. to Chengdu
United Airlines will launch non-stop service between San Francisco and Chengdu, China on Monday. The route is the first-ever service from the North American continent to China’s fourth largest city. (www.frequentbusinesstraveler.com) More...
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Don't they mean UA will launch the **SECOND**-ever service from the North American continent, given Sichuan Airlines already fly to YVR/Vancouver?
Scott, that flight is not non stop. It is also not a scheduled flight. It's actually a charter flight a local travel agency here operates.
Actually, CTU-YVR is a yearly scheduled route, currently with 3 flights per week according to YVR's destination chart http://yvr.ca/Libraries/Maps/Destinations.sflb.ashx. Those are not charter flights. You're right that it is only direct however, with a stop in SHENYANG due to range of the Airbus A330.
Actually economics are likely more to do with the stop than range. The airline has both the 200 and the 300 available with the former easily reaching YVR. The stop is at Shenyang, a market of 8+ Million, and provides their only service to North America.
We will see lots more of this type of service using 787 or 350 type aircraft. Look at the numbers in this link where only five major airports have service to North America, yet Chengdu at 35+ Million passengers is just now receiving this service.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_the_busiest_airports_in_China
We will see lots more of this type of service using 787 or 350 type aircraft. Look at the numbers in this link where only five major airports have service to North America, yet Chengdu at 35+ Million passengers is just now receiving this service.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_the_busiest_airports_in_China
Very good points, and I totally agree.
exciting times
exciting times
I will be on it Monday to get the heck outta here for a couple weeks. Finally after living here five years I can fly non stop to the states and the bonus of skipping Beijing or Pudong. That deserves a YIPPI!
