China and US Travel Boost as Air China Restores Boeing 747 Service to Washington DC

The Beijing-Washington route will now operate as a nonstop service, eliminating the previous layover in Los Angeles.

This shift replaces the Boeing 777-300ER previously deployed on the route, making it one of the few remaining 747-8i passenger services between the U.S. and China.

The airline currently operates a fleet of seven Boeing 747-8i aircraft, which are deployed on select domestic and international routes. New York-JFK has been the only U.S. destination consistently served by the jumbo jet, making Washington D.C. the second major U.S. city to receive regular 747-8i operations from Air China.

Additionally, the airline is set to expand 747-8i operations to Frankfurt, Germany starting next month, further strengthening its long-haul presence with the aircraft.

Alongside the Beijing-Washington upgrade, Air China is making several long-haul network changes for the Northern Summer 2025 season, including fleet modifications and route adjustments.