The start date of American Airlines’ long-delayed Los Angeles-Beijing flight launch has now finally been announced.
The U.S. Transportation Department has granted the airline an extension beyond the September 16 start-up deadline after delays in securing the necessary slots at crowded Beijing Airport.
American said the Los Angeles-Beijing service will finally begin on November 5, 2017.
"We see no persuasive reason to withhold approval of American’s requested extension," the DOT said last week.
American had originally wanted to launch the route earlier this year but ran into numerous delays getting clearance from Chinese authorities and access to coveted slots at the airport.
The flight is the last one to be assigned under the current US-China air accord.
AA becomes the third of the big three airlines to serve Beijing from the West Coast.
United flies to Beijing from San Francisco and Delta operates flights from Seattle.
