United Airlines announced it will launch a new service to China, just days after American Airlines received regulatory approval to start flights on the same Los Angeles-Shanghai route, reported Dow Jones Newswires.
The prospect of American and United on the route also sets up a three-way battle between the global airline alliances that dominate the industry on the busiest route between the US and Shanghai.
China Eastern Airlines is the only airline flying non-stop between the cities, and is due to join the SkyTeam alliance headed by Delta Air Lines and Air France-KLM.
American, a member of the Oneworld grouping, has identified Los Angeles as one of five US "cornerstone" cities that will be a strategic focus. Tom Horton, president of parent AMR Corp, said in a recent interview to "stay tuned" for further expansion from Los Angeles. Its daily Shanghai service is due to start on April 5.
Cargonews Asia
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