United Airlines and Air China have announced a deepening of their alliance on trans-Pacific routes with an extension of a strategic partnership.
The multi-year joint venture will see more connecting flights between the US and China.
Th airlines will coordinate joint marketing initiatives and enhance reciprocal frequent flyer benefits for elite members.
"We are honored by the close partnership United and Air China have shared since 2003 and the positive difference it has made in the travel experience for both carriers’ customers. This agreement marks a significant milestone in our long-standing cooperation," United CEO Oscar Munoz, said.
United serves three mainland China cities from its Asia gateway hub at San Francisco and plans to launch new routes to Xi’an and Hangzhou in the coming months from SFO.
The two Star Alliance members carried a combined 2.7 million passengers on US-China routes in 2015.
