HOUSTON – A new airline has set up shop at Bush Intercontinental Airport, opening up new opportunities for Houston's economy.
Residents living in the Houston area now have more options when it comes to traveling to China.
Air China launched nonstop service from Bush Airport to Beijing using its Boeing 777 aircraft on Thursday.
In the past, passengers were forced to connect in Los Angeles or San Francisco before flying to Beijing.
"If you consider how long it takes folks to go to China on a connecting basis, either San Francisco or Los Angeles, we are going to cut that travel time by more than 10 hours," said Zhihang Chi of Air China.
The airline has not added a new destination in the United States for more than 30 years; but, Air China said with the oil trade in the Houston area, coupled with tourism, there is a high demand for more international travel.
The flight from Houston to Beijing will take about 14 hours.
Local 2 found a roundtrip flight for about $1,200.