United Airlines will launch thrice weekly non-stop flights between San Francisco International Airport and Hangzhou’s Xiaoshan International Airport on July 13, 2016, offering more convenience for business travellers flying between the financial centre of Northern California and the capital of China’s Zhejiang province.

“We look forward to welcoming Hangzhou to our global route network using the customer-favourite 787-9 Dreamliner,” says Jim Compton, United’s vice chairman and chief revenue officer. “We will offer customers unique non-stop flights between the West Coast and one of China’s fastest-growing travel markets. Additionally, customers traveling from China to the U.S. will find convenient, easy connections at our San Francisco hub to many U.S. business centres and leisure destinations.”

Operating a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, fitted with 48 flat-bed seats in BusinessFirst class, 88 recliner seats in Economy Plus and 116 standard seats in economy, the new service will feature amenities and services designed for Chinese customers, including Mandarin-speaking flight attendants; personalized inflight entertainment options, including Chinese-language services; and a wide selection of Chinese-style cuisine.

Flight UA 982 will depart San Francisco at 14:15 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays and arrive in Hangzhou at 18:10 the following day. The return flight, UA 983, will depart Hangzhou at 11:30 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and arrive in San Francisco at 08:25 the same day. www.united.com