United Airlines is planning to launch a B787 Dreamliner service between San Francisco and Xian next summer.
The three-times weekly service will fly between May 8 and October 27, provided it is approved by the US Department of Transportation.
The outbound flight will depart San Francisco on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays at 1325 and arrive in China at 1730 the next day.
The return flight will leave Xian at 1030 on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays and land in San Francisco at 0735 the same day.
If authorised, United said the route will be the first transpacific service to Xian flown by any airline.
Jim Compton, United's vice chairman and chief revenue officer, said: "Assuming our application is approved, United customers will have unique nonstop flights to one of China's most vibrant cities, with fast and easy connections to destinations throughout the Americas from our San Francisco hub."
United has just added a new seat on to its domestic first class cabin (see news, September 21).
Graham Smith
