Air China launches nonstop service between San José and Shanghai

China’s exclusive national carrier connects Silicon Valley to Asia’s global city, Shanghai

SAN JOSE, Calif., 2016-Sep-06 — /Travel PR News/ — History was made today with the launch of #SanJoseShanghai, Air China’s (CA) new flight between Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) and Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG). This flight marks first-ever nonstop service between these hi-tech and forward-looking cities, and Air China’s first destination to North America from Shanghai.

Air China operates the new three-weekly flights – Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday – on the modern Airbus A330-200, using a two-cabin 237-seat configuration with 30 fully-flat bed seats in business class (Capital Pavilion) and 207 economy seats. Visit www.airchina.us or call 800-882-8122 for fares and specials.

San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo joined Air China’s Vice Chairman Cao Jianxiong, Air China’s Vice President Dr. Chi Zhihang, Consul General of China in San Francisco Luo Linquan, and Director of Aviation Kim Becker in welcoming the inaugural flight from Shanghai, CA 829.

“We congratulate Air China on inaugurating nonstop service between San Jose and Shanghai today, and for marking an additional milestone in launching its first flight from Shanghai to North America, via Silicon Valley’s airport,” Mayor Sam Liccardo said. “Our technology companies have enthusiastically asked for this nonstop service, and I know through their support this flight to China’s major center of commerce will be a success.”

Lion dancers in colorful costumes pranced around the international arrivals gate area for an auspicious start of the new service that links two of the world’s most fascinating destinations. The East-West theme, blending old and new, tradition and technology, and culture and commerce, showcased Shanghai and Silicon Valley – global centers for hi-tech and innovation.

“As Air China’s first nonstop international service that connects North America and Shanghai, it is our hope that this new San Jose-Shanghai flight will facilitate bilateral trade, and economic and cultural relations between two of the world’s most vibrant and dynamic cities,” said Cao.

The much-heralded launch, Air China’s latest in the region, caps several weeks of preparations. Pole banners with images of Shanghai’s shimmering skyscrapers have been ubiquitous on the streets of San Jose and throughout the airport.

Becker emceed the event and warmly welcomed Cao, Chi and the entire Air China team to Silicon Valley’s airport. She shared the excitement that has been steadily building in San Jose since the service was announced in June this year. “Shanghai ranked in the top five most requested international business destinations by Silicon Valley travelers in a corporate survey conducted by SJC’s community partners, and our community is delighted this flight is now offered at SJC,” she said.

“Air China’s new service is expected to bring an estimated $65 million annually in economic investment to the San Jose area,” Becker said while highlighting the economic benefits of the thrice-weekly flight for both SJC and the region.

Overall, Silicon Valley’s thriving airport creates an estimated 32,000 jobs annually in the San Jose area, and visitor spending each year generates $1.7 billion through hotel stays, dining, shopping, entertainment and ground transportation.

Details of the San Jose-Shanghai service are as follows:

Flight Number	City Pair	Departs	Arrives
CA 829	Shanghai – San Jose	1:30 p.m.	10:40 a.m. (same day)
CA 830	San Jose – Shanghai	12:30 p.m.	4:40 p.m. (next day)
– Flights operate Tue, Thu, Sat All times are local. Average flight time is 12.5 hours – – Passengers depart from SJC’s Terminal A and arrive to SJC’s International Arrivals facility. Visit www.airchina.us for bookings and information. –

San Jose is Air China’s 10th gateway in the Americas along with Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Newark, Washington Dulles, Houston, Honolulu, Vancouver and Montreal.

With Air China’s new flight to Shanghai, SJC now offers nonstop service to eight international destinations. The airport has experienced significant growth in international routes over the past 15 months. Along with its airline partners, SJC has launched new service to these cities:

• Hainan Airlines to Beijing
• British Airways to London/Heathrow
• Air Canada to Vancouver (a pre-clearance airport to the U.S.), and – Lufthansa to Frankfurt

Other nonstop international service offered at SJC includes ANA to Tokyo/Narita; flights to Guadalajara on Alaska Airlines and Volaris; and Alaska service to Cabo San Lucas.

Celebrations will continue in the evening with a gala dinner at the San Jose City Hall Plaza where guests will be treated to a spectacular program that will showcase Air China and Shanghai.

About Air China
A Star Alliance member and China’s exclusive national carrier, Air China is the only airline granted the privilege of having the flag of China painted on the fuselage of its fleet. In addition to its commercial operations, it also provides exclusive special flight services for China’s senior government officials on state visits to other countries. It is the top Asian airline in brand value, according to Brand Finance 2016. As well, it is the only airline in the top 20 of Millward Brown’s Most Valuable Chinese Brands 2016.

With a fleet of 590 passenger aircraft and freighters, Air China serves 174 cities in 40 countries and regions. It offers access to 1330 destinations in 193 countries through its Star Alliance affiliation. It holds the controlling shares in Air Macau, Shenzhen Airlines, Shandong Airlines, Dalian Airlines, Tibet Airlines, Beijing Airlines and Air China Inner Mongolia Limited. Next to the Swire Group, Air China is the second largest stakeholder of Cathay Pacific Airways.

Visit www.airchina.us or call 800-882-8122 for sales and reservations.

About Mineta San Jose International Airport
Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) is Silicon Valley’s airport, a self-supporting enterprise owned and operated by the City of San Jose. SJC serves more than 10 million passengers annually, with 173 peak daily departures on 14 domestic and international carriers to 40 nonstop destinations.

SJC’s five-star customer service experience sets it apart from other Bay Area and U.S. airports. Airlines and passengers respond positively to SJC’s customer amenities, including modern terminal buildings, free and fast WiFi, comfortable seating with built-in power outlets, a luxurious, award-winning lounge open to all travelers, a duty free store offering an enhanced shopping experience, a rental car center conveniently located across from the terminals, and the Mobile Passport app and Global Entry kiosks to expedite arriving international passengers. Silicon Valley’s airport is located in San Jose, California’s third largest city and the nation’s tenth largest city. See SJC facts here. For more airport information, visit www.flysanjose.com.

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Contacts:
Air China
Lillibeth Canet Bishop
310-744-8231 / lillibeth@airchina.us

Mineta San Jose International Airport
Rosemary Barnes
Media Line: 408.392.1199 / rbarnes@sjc.org

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