United, Air China join forces on trans-Pacific routes

United Airlines and Air China have signed a new agreement aimed at coordinating their operations between the US and China.

Building on an existing partnership, the new multi-year deal will see the two airlines increase the number of connecting flights they offer, launch new frequent flyer initiatives and undertake joint marketing programmes in the US and China.

The new partnership will be led by senior executives from both carriers, who will meet regularly to coordinate new joint initiatives. Both airlines are members of the Star Alliance.

“Both the United States and China are crucial for the international aviation market. I firmly believe that the strengthened partnership between United and Air China will provide better and more convenient services for the passengers in the joint Sino-US market,” said Air China’s president, Song Zhiyong.

United’s president & CEO, Oscar Munoz, added; “We are honoured by the close partnership United and Air China have shared since 2003 and the positive difference it has made in the travel experience for both carriers’ customers. This agreement marks a significant milestone in our long-standing cooperation and further distinguishes United and Air China as the leading carriers between the US and China.”

United currently flies direct from San Francisco to three cities in mainland China: Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu. And it will add two new routes this year, with flights from San Francisco to Xi’an starting in May and services to Hangzhou due to commence in July. The airline also links Beijing with Chicago, New York and Washington DC, and Shanghai with Chicago, Guam, New York and Los Angeles.

Air China operates direct flights from Beijing to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, Washington DC, Honolulu, New York (JFK and Newark), and will start flying from Shanghai to the Californian city of San Jose this summer.

Combined, the two airlines carried more than 2.7 million passengers between the US and China in 2015.