Delta Air Lines is bringing back direct flights to Shanghai next year.
The carrier will restart Shanghai Pudong service in July 2018, six years after discontinuing an underperforming route years before the explosion in outbound travel in the China market.
Now there is much stronger demand in both directions, it said, and Delta has strengthened its partnership with major carrier China Eastern Airlines, which has a hub in Shanghai.
Delta bought a stake in China Eastern two years ago.
Delta flies to Shanghai from Detroit, Los Angeles and Seattle, and resuming a nonstop service from Atlanta has been a mission for several years for former CEO Richard Anderson and current boss Ed Bastian.
"Strong demand for Delta service across the Pacific and to China nonstop from the U.S. as well as our China Eastern partnership make this route compelling for both business and leisure travelers," said Bastian.
"We look forward to connecting Delta’s hometown and China Eastern’s home with this route."
Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal: "This nonstop flight will not only serve our tourism industry by shortening the international travel time, but will bolster our business community as well. The flight will help shorten supply chains for our companies and give them a daily link to China for time-sensitive distribution.
China is Atlanta’s second biggest international source market, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed said.
