Direct US-China Flight Routes 7 Major City Pairs Operating in 2025

Direct US-China Flight Routes 7 Major City Pairs Operating in 2025 - Los Angeles LAX to Beijing Capital PEK Direct Flights by United Airlines Starting May 2025

United Airlines intends to commence direct flights connecting Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) in May 2025. UA771 will take off from Los Angeles late at night, reaching Beijing nearly two days later, while UA772 will depart Beijing midday, arriving in Los Angeles the same morning. Flight duration is expected to be around 15 hours.

This LAX to PEK service is one of several new US-China routes planned by United, indicating an effort to increase its presence in this significant travel market. Whether the on-board experience justifies such a long flight remains to be seen. Air China also offers nonstop flights on this route.

Come May 2025, United Airlines aims to launch a direct service connecting Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) with Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK). The route, flown by Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, is scheduled thrice weekly with a flight time around 15 hours. This follows on United's requests to introduce more routes to China. Flight UA771 intends to push back from LAX at 11:10 PM and, factoring in time differences, touch down in Beijing at 4:45 AM two days hence. The return, UA772, proposes a noon departure from Beijing, arriving back in Los Angeles at 9:35 AM the same day.
Notably, Air China is already active on the same city pair.

This LAX-PEK service adds to the narrative of broadened US-China flight options, with a targeted seven key city pairings projected to be in operation throughout 2025. The official line emphasizes better connections between the two countries catering to corporate travellers as well as for tourism. The LAX-PEK trip covers almost 6,500 miles. One wonders what this route means to the airlines fuel efficiency and operational constraints.

What else is in this post?

1. Direct US-China Flight Routes 7 Major City Pairs Operating in 2025 - Los Angeles LAX to Beijing Capital PEK Direct Flights by United Airlines Starting May 2025
2. Direct US-China Flight Routes 7 Major City Pairs Operating in 2025 - New York JFK to Shanghai PVG Daily Service by China Eastern
3. Direct US-China Flight Routes 7 Major City Pairs Operating in 2025 - San Francisco SFO to Guangzhou CAN Four Weekly Flights by China Southern
4. Direct US-China Flight Routes 7 Major City Pairs Operating in 2025 - Chicago ORD to Beijing Capital PEK Three Weekly Flights by Air China
5. Direct US-China Flight Routes 7 Major City Pairs Operating in 2025 - Seattle SEA to Shanghai PVG Weekly Service by Delta Airlines
6. Direct US-China Flight Routes 7 Major City Pairs Operating in 2025 - Boston BOS to Beijing Capital PEK Twice Weekly Service by Hainan Airlines
7. Direct US-China Flight Routes 7 Major City Pairs Operating in 2025 - Detroit DTW to Shanghai PVG Three Weekly Flights by China Eastern

Direct US-China Flight Routes 7 Major City Pairs Operating in 2025 - New York JFK to Shanghai PVG Daily Service by China Eastern

China Eastern Airlines plans to launch a daily, nonstop service between New York's JFK Airport and Shanghai's Pudong International Airport (PVG) sometime in 2025. The flight, clocked at nearly 7,500 miles, aims for a duration of just under 15 hours.

With fares potentially starting under $900 for a round trip – and half that for a one-way – this route is poised to become a major travel corridor. China Eastern appears to be the only carrier planning a nonstop option at the moment, leaving it in a potentially dominant market position. The current plans call for an almost 2 AM departure from JFK. It remains to be seen if the route will prove profitable given fluctuating fuel costs and competition from connecting flights.

China Eastern is preparing to launch a daily non-stop flight from New York's JFK to Shanghai's Pudong Airport (PVG), slated to start this year. Scheduled flight MU 298 expects to lift off from JFK in the early hours, landing in Shanghai in the early morning hours the next day.

Currently, China Eastern seemingly is the only carrier providing this direct service. The JFK to PVG route covers approximately 7,419 miles, a journey that will take roughly 15 hours depending on wind conditions. Round trip flights start at approximately $900, and a one way could be found for just over $500. Alternative indirect itineraries are also on offer, with stopover options in 23 different locations, for travellers who have the time.

China Eastern intends to use their Boeing 777-300ER on this route. With over 300 seats, that’s a lot of capacity pumped into the JFK-PVG connection every day. One needs to be aware of the actual pricing once it's available as airlines are known for sometimes outrageous fare calculations. The convenience of a direct flight can often be offset by inflated ticket prices, and that the lowest advertised fares are hard to find. The claim of $500 oneway needs further investigation.

Direct US-China Flight Routes 7 Major City Pairs Operating in 2025 - San Francisco SFO to Guangzhou CAN Four Weekly Flights by China Southern

China Southern Airlines is planning four direct flights each week from San Francisco (SFO) to Guangzhou (CAN) in 2025. The nearly 7,000-mile flight is expected to take around 15 hours. There are several airlines serving this city pair, offering a considerable number of weekly flights. This competition might keep round-trip ticket prices reasonable.

This new San Francisco-Guangzhou service forms part of a bigger picture, with China Southern targeting seven key US-China city connections. It appears the airline aims to increase their presence in the US-China aviation market.

China Southern Airlines plans to offer four weekly direct flights linking San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN). These flights aim to bolster connections between the United States and China, specifically catering to business and leisure travellers. It seems Guangzhou plays an increasingly important role as economic superhub in the region.

The frequency does not appear to be much given the size of both cities. What aircraft will China Southern be using on the route, and will it have the latest amenities? The carrier offers flights along seven major US-China city pairs throughout 2025, with what appears to be renewed expansion into the American aviation market.

What this signifies for ticket prices – whether the increased availability actually translates to reasonable fares – remains an open question. The route raises the bar for other airlines to compete for passengers seeking convenience and travel efficiency. China Southern seems to position itself to capture traffic on this strategically important city pair.

Direct US-China Flight Routes 7 Major City Pairs Operating in 2025 - Chicago ORD to Beijing Capital PEK Three Weekly Flights by Air China

Air China plans to operate three weekly direct flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) beginning in 2025. Set for Tuesdays, these flights will last approximately 13 hours and 45 minutes.

This initiative reflects a broader effort to enhance US-China flight options, though United Airlines already provides daily flights along this route. The extent to which this will affect pricing and the traveler experience warrants examination. The focus on direct routes suggests an attempt to cater to travelers prioritizing time savings. This might bring down prices, it might not. The operational challenges of long-haul routes also remains to be seen.

Air China intends to launch three weekly direct flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) in 2025. This adds another connection point within the network of US-China routes, which are expected to grow to seven key city pairs. What impact will this increased capacity have on airfare costs and passenger traffic between the two countries?

Covering about 6,600 miles, the Chicago to Beijing route will take approximately 13 hours and 45 minutes. It might be interesting to examine the specific aircraft Air China plans to deploy and their environmental impact, considering the fuel consumption over such distances.

There is also United Airlines, with nonstop service on this same Chicago-Beijing route. One must consider how Air China's entrance affects market share, pricing, and overall passenger experience. This additional service could either lead to greater affordability through competition or potentially crowd an already limited market, so it needs to be monitored closely.

Direct US-China Flight Routes 7 Major City Pairs Operating in 2025 - Seattle SEA to Shanghai PVG Weekly Service by Delta Airlines

Delta Airlines is set to introduce a weekly direct flight service connecting Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) starting October 29, 2025. This route, covering a distance of 5,741 miles, will operate with an Airbus A330-900neo, offering travelers a direct option in a market that has seen increasing demand for US-China connections. With departures scheduled between 11:20 AM and 12:40 PM, Delta aims to enhance its presence in the trans-Pacific market, complementing its other routes from Detroit and further solidifying its operational footprint in China. As airlines ramp up services in this corridor, the competitive landscape could influence fare structures, potentially affecting traveler choices and experiences.

Delta Airlines intends to initiate a weekly direct flight connecting Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) with Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG). Scheduled to launch at the end of October in 2025, this service is part of Delta's broadened strategy to improve flight options between the US and China, catering to an increase in demand.

While United and Air China are deploying Boeing 777s, Delta’s choice of aircraft for this approximately 5,700-mile route remains noteworthy and warrants scrutiny as they plan to use an Airbus A330-900neo. Whether the once-a-week frequency sufficiently addresses market demand compared to Air China and China Easterns multiple flights a week on different routes remains to be seen, also will ticket prices be competitive?

While seemingly not daily like China Eastern from JFK, Delta’s entry into the SEA-PVG market emphasizes this key city pairing within the projected seven major US-China routes. However, the convenience of direct flights can also be offset by inflated prices. It would be helpful to observe these launch prices when booking.

Direct US-China Flight Routes 7 Major City Pairs Operating in 2025 - Boston BOS to Beijing Capital PEK Twice Weekly Service by Hainan Airlines

Hainan Airlines is set to reestablish its direct service from Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) to Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) with a twice-weekly schedule starting in 2025. This route, which had been suspended for four years, is a significant addition to the evolving landscape of US-China flight options, now featuring seven major city pairs. The Boeing 787-9 will be the aircraft used for these long-haul journeys, which boast a flight time of approximately 20 hours and 20 minutes. With one-way ticket prices reported as low as $507, this new service may attract both business and leisure travelers eager for a direct connection between these two vibrant cities. However, the effectiveness of this route in terms of pricing and experience will need careful observation as it unfolds.

Hainan Airlines will soon provide twice-weekly direct flights between Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) and Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK). This new service, operating on Thursdays and Sundays, attempts to capture passengers looking to start the week in Beijing, or tourists heading home.

The 787 Dreamliner is the planned aircraft for this approximately 6,800-mile route. The aircraft is known for fuel efficiency and comfort. The flight time might be close to 14 hours. This puts pressure on how the airline might manage on-board service.

Initial ticket prices hover around the $800 mark for a return trip. This new service is meant to disrupt existing market dynamics and might lead to more competitive pricing for trans-pacific flights. Whether this translates into better service or more passengers squeezed into each flight remains to be seen.

Flights will arrive in Beijing in the late afternoon so that passengers can start to explore right away. This is beneficial, especially for those who are conducting business. It remains to be seen how well the arrival times dovetail with transport services and peak traffic.

As a Fortune Wings Club member, passengers will earn points on these flights, this seems to position this flight at attracting frequent flyers. What is worth looking into is if the airline will offer upgrades on flights like this and if those upgrades are affordable.

The food options offered are designed to reflect the regional culinary aspects. One must remain critical here, though, as such things have not been properly tested. Is the airline relying too much on common-place assumptions about what passengers want, and will that affect customer satisfaction in the long run?

With Boeing’s 787, the aircraft hopes to provide an improved passenger experience, but the basic challenges remain. It needs to be considered if some of the marketing materials might not actually be practical to implement in a real life flight scenario.

Direct access to attractions on both ends of the flights can be an economic driver, as that also affects revenue streams and job opportunities. Business should also be facilitated with the flight path being put in place, this will allow more connections in business and tech. What we should be critical about is whether this connection will actually amount to anything more than corporate PR.

Direct US-China Flight Routes 7 Major City Pairs Operating in 2025 - Detroit DTW to Shanghai PVG Three Weekly Flights by China Eastern

China Eastern Airlines is joining the US-China route expansion with three weekly direct flights scheduled between Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) and Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) beginning in 2025. Covering approximately 7,161 miles, this new route intends to give travelers another way to reach one of China's major hubs, for both business and tourism purposes. Flight times are averaging around 16 hours, with round-trip tickets starting around $1,095. Delta already flies this route daily, so it will be worth watching to see how this additional service affects the competition. Will the added frequency drive prices down, or will it simply dilute the market? The practical impact on fares and the overall travel experience remains to be seen.

Adding to the connectivity between the American Midwest and the Far East, China Eastern intends to start three weekly direct flights connecting Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) and Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) sometime in 2025. This addition forms part of a larger plan to establish seven major city-pair connections linking the US and China.

This addition will offer an alternative to Delta's daily flights and the long flight times, estimated at around 14 hours for nearly 7,000 miles, raises practical considerations for both passenger comfort and operational efficiency.

While claims of round-trip tickets starting below $900 have been made, these fares frequently involve multiple restrictions, potentially negating the apparent savings. How does this pricing strategy stand up against the real cost of a direct flight between these cities, when factoring in extra expenses like baggage and seat selection fees?

The expected deployment of the Boeing 777-300ER, known for efficiency and passenger amenities, suggests attention to optimizing costs and passenger experience.
As it is part of the SkyTeam, passengers might accumulate frequent flier miles which should be worth looking into when selecting a carrier for that route. Also, it is not known how those extra miles can be deployed and what they are actually worth.
Whether this frequency adequately serves market needs, especially considering other carriers already offering numerous flights weekly along other US-China routes, and what impact this will ultimately have on ticket prices, are open questions.