Hainan Airlines makes maiden flight to Chicago

Updated: 2013-09-04 09:32

(Xinhua)

Crew members for Hainan Airlines are ready to board the maiden flight from Chicago to Beijing on Sept 3, 2013. [Photo / Xinhua]

Hou Wei, vice president of Hainan Airlines, said the company will offer nonstop service between Beijing and Chicago twice a week on Sundays and Tuesdays at the initial stage.

But starting from December, the nonstop service will be increased to four times a week, and Boeing 787 Dreamliner will be introduced to fly the route, Hou said.

"We are proud that Chicago is the first Midwest destination for Hainan Airlines and the second in the US," said Chicago Department of Aviation Commissioner Rosemarie Andolino. "The new international air service will further Chicago's connectivity to China and increase tourists to Chicago. It has enormous benefits for our economy."

Chicago is the third gateway of Hainan Airlines in North America, after Seattle in the United States and Toronto in Canada.

Founded in 1993, Hainan Airlines is now the fourth largest airline in China in terms of fleet size. It runs nearly 500 domestic and overseas flight routes reaching some 90 cities in Asia, Europe, America and Africa.