American begins nonstop flights linking Los Angeles and Beijing

American Airlines said today it launched daily nonstop service between Los Angeles and the Chinese capital of Beijing, being the first U.S. airline to offer nonstop service in the traffic lane.

The inaugural flight left Los Angeles International Airport Sunday morning, with the return flight departing Beijing the following afternoon. Dallas-based American said it expects strong Chinese demand for electronics, medical and pharmaceutical products, perishables, and e-commerce shipments. Chinese air exports should be weighted toward parts for the new generation of hybrid cars, liquid crystal displays, and parts from televisions and computers, American said.

Rick Elieson, president of American's cargo unit, said the service will offer Chinese shippers and air freight forwarders, the latter of which composes the bulk of an airline's cargo customer base, more opportunities to connect traffic from Asia beyond the U.S. and into American's vast Latin American route network.

The new route gives Chinese air users the "the ability to open up new markets through onward connections" with American's Americas' network "where there are many opportunities for Chinese exports," Elieson said.

The route is the sixth addition to American's daily offerings to China, which now includes nonstop service to Beijing and Shanghai from Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, and Los Angeles.