Air China’s latest US expansion connects Silicon Valley and Shanghai

SAN JOSE, CA – Air China’s robust expansion in North America continues with the launch of its thrice weekly nonstop service between San José and Shanghai on Sept. 1, 2016. The new flight will be operated by A330-200, offering business and economy class cabins.

San José will be Air China’s tenth gateway in North America and its first destination with direct connections to Shanghai from the Silicon Valley. The carrier’s other U.S. and Canada gateways offer nonstop services to Beijing from Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Newark, Washington Dulles, Houston, Honolulu, Vancouver and Montreal.

“This has been a tremendous year for Mineta San José International Airport and I’m excited that Silicon Valley business and leisure travelers will soon be able to fly nonstop to Shanghai,” said San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo. “Shanghai is a major center of commerce in China and one of the top five requested international destinations by Silicon Valley travelers, and this flight will help strengthen the economic ties between our two regions. I thank Air China for its commitment to and investment in San José.”

A bustling and vibrant world city known for its soaring skyscrapers and stunning blend of old and new, tradition and technology, culture and commerce, Shanghai pairs well with America’s Silicon Valley—the global center for technology and innovation.

“Linking two forward-looking cities is a fulfillment of our company’s mission of promoting economic growth and connectivity. The interdependence of two of the world’s largest economies makes the San Jose-Shanghai service a compelling case in this age of globalization,” Dr. Zhihang Chi, Air China’s Vice President of North America, stated.

He added, “The new service is a response to a strong demand in Silicon Valley for a direct flight to Shanghai. More significantly, it is a result of our collaborative partnership with the City of San José and the Mineta San José International Airport management team.”
A corporate survey conducted in 2012 revealed Shanghai as the top Asian destination by Silicon Valley travelers. Shanghai has also the largest number of Silicon Valley company locations in China.

According to the U.S. Census, San José serves a very large Chinese market and other Asian ethnic groups that can benefit from Air China’s new nonstop service.

“We’re pleased to jointly announce Air China’s new nonstop flights between Shanghai and Silicon Valley,” said Director of Aviation Kim Becker. “Together, Air China, Mineta San José International Airport and Silicon Valley executives who travel to Asia will continue to work in partnership to make this important route an unqualified success.”

Details of the San Jose (SJC) -Shanghai (PVG) service:

Flight # Origin-Destination Departure* Arrival* Frequency Aircraft

CA 829 Shanghai-San José 1330 1040 Tue, Thu, Sat A330-200

CA830 San José-Shanghai 1230 1640+1** Tue, Thu, Sat A330-200

Note: * All times are local. ** +1 = Next day. Days of operation and times are subject to seasonal changes.

The new flight announcement is Air China’s latest in a round of expansions in the United States and Canada. In July 2015, Air China increased its nonstop Los Angeles-Beijing to three times daily. In Sept. last year, the airline launched its historic thrice weekly nonstop Montreal-Beijing service, the first to connect Montreal directly to China and the rest of Asia. A month later, it launched its nonstop Newark-Beijing flights.