China Gets Loose with U.S. Routes
It’s a good day for American business travelers. The Chinese government, traditionally stingy with approving direct flight routes to the US, is having some sort change of heart. On Tuesday, China began its “I Guess There Are A Lot of Americans Who Like to Come Here” 5-year flight sale. For all you Southernplayalistic Coke-swigging Atlanta residents, a new Delta direct flight between Atlanta and Shanghai begins in April. According to an AP story Tuesday, United Airlines has also been granted a direct flight between Guangzhou and San Francisco because according to a United official, “these two cities have close ties.” China has also approved direct flights from New York to Shanghai on Continental, to begin in 2009, and Detroit to Shanghai on Northworst. This means no more stops in Tokyo or for heaven’s sake, Minneapolis. Any American who lives over here knows there’s something wrong with the China-U.S. flight offerings. Going home to see Mom often means buying an incredibly expensive ticket just to spend 4 or 5 hours on a layover in Minneapolis or Icheon. It seems odd that in late 2007, there is still no direct flight on an American carrier from New York to Shanghai. China has a five-year plan to double the number of flights between the U.S. and China. This will not only make it easier for business travelers and expats living here, but it will lower ticket prices for these flights significantly. Congrats to Delta for winning the coveted Atlanta route. And as Outkast once said, “catfish and grits is how my flow flow.” Wait, sorry wrong line. Delta, as Outkast once said, “now players if you choose it, you better make sure you don’t abuse it.”
•AP: Delta, United Win New Routes to China