American Airlines celebrates the launch of the new route

American Airlines has laid bare its plans to grab an even greater share of the Asian market with the launch of its new Hong Kong - Dallas/Fort Worth service.

This route will significantly improve connectivity to Hong Kong’s second largest trading partner – the United States - and capitalise on the US$42 billion of exports that Hong Kong sends there every year.

The move caps a succession of new route launches across Asia, after a route from Seoul was added last year and new services to be launched from Shanghai this week.

With this new route, American Airlines is continuing its drive to capitalise on the growing demand for travel between Asia and Latin America.

The Asian Development Bank estimates that trade between the two regions grew by 20 per cent between 2000 and 2011, totalling approximately US$442 billion and stimulating substantial growth in demand for air travel.

The Hong Kong to Dallas/Fort Worth route will facilitate onward connections to more than 200 different destinations, including many in Latin America.

“Our move into the Hong Kong market is a statement of intent.

“Half the world’s population is located within five hours flight time of this leading world city.

“Likewise, four of Asia’s most important markets are just four hours away.

“Our presence here means that we’re well positioned to attract feeder traffic from all around the region, as well as support healthy local demand for travel to the US,” said Erwan Perhirin, American Airlines’ vice president, Asia Pacific.

He added: “This city is a global gateway to Southern China. With new routes also coming on stream from Beijing and Shanghai into Chicago and Los Angeles, American Airlines can take full advantage of this region’s growing economic dynamism.”

The new daily flight will be served by American Airlines’ new flagship Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, which introduces a range of new service features and provides what many believe is the most comfortable inflight experience of any carrier offering direct routes from Hong Kong.