China Southern (CZ) has announced it will fly from Guangzhou Baiyun International airport to San Francisco International airport via Wuhan Tianhe International airport three times a week starting from December 16.
The route will be served by a 228-seat B787 aircraft consisting of three classes – four first class seats in 1-2-1 configuration; 24 business seats arranged in 2-2-2; and 200 economy seats in a 3-3-3 setup. (Click here for What you need to know about the carrier’s Dreamliner.)
The flight departs Guangzhou every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 1130, arriving in Wuhan at 1315, before leaving again at 1455 and reaching San Francisco at 1055 at local time. The return leg leaves the US city at 1255, landing in Wuhan at 1855, taking off at 2025 with a 2210 touch down in Guangzhou.
Previously, passengers booking CZ’s flight from Guangzhou to San Francisco had to fly to New York or Los Angeles, and then take a Delta Air Lines flight to reach the city. The new service allows passengers to stay in their seats without changing aircraft.
According to IATA’s survey, the rate of passengers flying to both China and America is growing. From 2008 to 2012, the average growth was 17.6 per cent. In 2013, 17 airlines in China and the US have altogether transferred 4.4 million passengers and 150 thousand tonnes of cargo to both countries.
In addition to the current routes operating to Los Angeles, New York and Vancouver, the airline believes that the new route will strengthen its network in North America.
For more information, visit csair.com/en/
Valerian Ho
