Direct fl ights from Chicago to start on 25 May

The carrier will initially offer four fl ights per week, with the service going daily from 3 July. The route had been due to start last month, but was delayed due to a dispute over take-off and landing slots at Beijing. While American is still not entirely happy with the revised slots, they represent a compromise. The airline had wanted its fl ights to arrive in Beijing at 1:55pm local time before departing Beijing again later that afternoon. American said Chinese authorities however, were only prepared to offer a daily landing and take-off slots at 2:20am and 4:20am respectively. The new slots will see American’s initially arriving in Beijing at 11pm (Fridays and Sundays) and 11.59pm (Tuesdays and Thursday), and departing at 7.49pm (Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays) and 6.49am (Tuesdays). The fl ights will be operated by American Airlines’ Boeing 777 aircraft with 14 First Class, 37 Business Class and 194 Economy seats. “Beijing Capital International Airport is aslotconstrained airport and we recognise the challenges the Chinese aviation authorities face in determining slot assignments. We will continue to work with them to secure more appropriate arrival and departure times in the future,” said Craig Kreeger, American's Senior Vice President - International. “Meanwhile, we look forward to launching our new fl ights and are contacting our customers to assist and reaccommodate them based on the new schedule.”

(Sources: CHICAGO, TDA)