Beijing-based Air China will operate its new Boeing B747-8 on the Beijing – New York (JFK) route daily from January 7.
The aircraft’s maiden international route with Air China was originally said to be Beijing – Frankfurt, but the latest schedule update indicates that the 14-hour journey to the ‘Big Apple’ has been awarded the honour.
It is the first Asian airline to operate a passenger version of the aircraft that’s proven harder to sell than anticipated. Similar to the Airbus A380 superjumbo, many carriers have said the B747-8 was too big for their fleet and network expansion plans.
Air China offers four cabins on the B747-8.
There are 12 first class suites, 54 full-flat business class seats, 66 premium economy recliners and 233 seats in economy class.
The carrier operates a total 12 weekly flights to New York. The remaining five frequencies are operated by Boeing B777-300ER aircraft, without premium economy.
For more information, visit airchina.com
Dominic Sebastian Lalk
