The only airline to offer the Boeing 747 for the route, United Airlines, has provisionally won the right to operate a daily service from Washington to Beijing from the start of the summer season this year. With the legacy carriers finding long haul international operations the only way to prosperity due to intense competition within the United States, American Airlines, Continental and Northwest each fought tenaciously to secure traffic rights.
In its decision, the US Department of Transportation (DOT) found that ”United”s Washington (Dulles) ” Beijing proposal has important advantages that should benefit the travelling public while also enhancing sustainability of the service.”
"As difficult as the final choice will be, ultimately the goal is to do everything in our power to expand service, destinations and frequencies between the United States and China," transportation secretary Mary Peters said. DOT said that more people from the Washington area travel to China than from any US city without non-stop service and that United's proposal offered more than 253,000 seats per year, more than its three competitors.”
”We applaud the Department of Transportation on their fair and thorough process and for putting the interest of the nation and the travelling public first,” said Glenn Tilton, United chairman, president and CEO. ”United Airlines is honoured to be selected as the first carrier to connect the governments, commerce and cultures of these two important capital cities.”
United will offer three-class Boeing 747s on the route with a flight time of around 13.5 hours. The best current elapsed time is 17 hours, United offering routing via Chicago and Cathay Pacific via Hong Kong.