The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded a new direct route to China to United Airlines, making it the first U.S. carrier to offer daily, nonstop service between San Francisco and Guangzhou.After reviewing United’s proposal that demonstrated passenger demand and nationwide economic benefit, DOT selected United’s proposed route after several weeks of deliberation. This brings to six the number of daily nonstop flights United provides to China, including daily nonstop flights to Beijing from San Francisco, Chicago and Washington, D.C.; and daily nonstop flights to Shanghai from Chicago and San Francisco. United is the first U.S. carrier to provide nonstop service to Guangzhou.

“United Airlines is honored to be selected as the first U.S. carrier to provide nonstop service between San Francisco and Guangzhou, important cities in the world economy,” said Glenn Tilton, United chairman, president and CEO. “Our success would not have been possible without the broad base of support from our employees, customers and public officials in California who understand the importance of this route for the economy of the entire nation.”

The San Francisco to Guangzhou service will begin in spring of 2008.
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