American Airlines Grows Asia Network with Dallas to Beijing Flight
AA is scheduled to begin 777-200 service to PEK. With direct flights to Abu Dhabi, Doha, Dubai and even Sydney, Dallas Fort Worth International is becoming a key airport for long-haul routes. And, beginning (subject to government approval), the airport will add a daily direct flight to Beijing (PEK), the key entry point for China’s capital city.
And unlike many of the other long-haul flights operating out of Dallas, this latest Asian destination will be operated by American Airlines, giving AA frequent flyers yet another opportunity to redeem their AAdvantage miles for travel in Coach and Business Class (the 777-200 that will be used on this route features the new Business Class, but excludes a First Class cabin).
Beijing Capital will join American Airlines’ other Asian destinations, including Seoul Incheon, Shanghai Pudong, Tokyo Narita and the new Hong Kong flagship flight, which is operated by AA’s brand new 777-300ER with both First Class and Business (and plenty of connections beyond Hong Kong via Oneworld partner Cathay Pacific). Generally, there are many more connecting flight options out of Hong Kong than Beijing, being that HKG is the hub airport for Cathay Pacific.
That makes an American flight to Hong Kong a great one-stop connecting option for flights throughout Southeast Asia, India and even to Australia and New Zealand, but you could also fly AA into Beijing then switch to a Cathay Pacific flight to Hong Kong before moving on to the final flight on your itinerary, based on availability.
The Beijing flight, meanwhile, will be a key addition for passengers ending their trips in China. You can now fly into Beijing and out of Shanghai or Hong Kong and then back to Dallas, all on American Airlines, booking train or low-cost regional airline travel between cities in China.
The Dallas departure is a great pick for travelers based throughout the southern United States, or even those connecting from South America, Mexico and the Caribbean, since American operates many daily direct flights to those regions. American Airlines also has a daily direct flight between Chicago (ORD) and Beijing, so the new Dallas flight nearly doubles AA’s capacity between PEK and the US.
If you’re looking to travel to Hong Kong, however, Cathay Pacific is undoubtedly the better pick. With very few exceptions, foreign airlines offer far better service than their US-based counterparts, and Cathay Pacific is one of the best airlines in the world. Business Class passengers will have an experience that exceeds First Class on a US carrier (including American Airlines), while those traveling on Cathay Pacific in First Class are really in for a treat, with huge private seats, turndown service, caviar, high-end Krug Champagne, pajamas and more.
If you’re traveling on to Beijing or Shanghai, a flight to Hong Kong does add a few hours of travel time to an already lengthy intercontinental trek, but if you don’t mind making one stop, it’s worth considering booking an award seat on Cathay Pacific instead of American.