American Airlines to launch flights to Shanghai from LAX

American Airlines Tuesday will launch daily, nonstop flights between Shanghai and Los Angeles International Airport, which was cited as the busiest travel route between the United States and China.American will become the first U.S. carrier to offer nonstop flights between the two cities. Airline executives said they hope to capitalize on a route that served more than 201,000 travelers last year.

This new Shanghai route demonstrates LAX's role as the nation's international gateway to Asia, said Michael Molina, the airport's deputy executive director of external affairs.The new route is scheduled to take flight this afternoon following a news conference by Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, airport officials, airline executives and Qiu Shaofang, China's ambassador to Los Angeles.Flights are scheduled to last 131/2 hours aboard Boeing 777 jetliners equipped with 16 first-class, 37 business-class and 194 economy-class seats, airline executives said.American gained approval in October to fly the route, just one week after submitting an application to the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Shortly afterward, United Airlines applied and won permission to launch flights from LAX to Shanghai beginning in May. United currently offers flights from LAX to Shanghai, but passengers must change planes in San Francisco. carrier that offered nonstop flights between LAX and Shanghai, which is China's most populous city with nearly 20 million people.Along with the Shanghai route, American will launch domestic flights through its American Eagle brand, linking LAX to airports in Sacramento; Oklahoma City; Houston; Phoenix; Salt Lake City; Boise, Idaho; Albuquerque, N.M.; El Paso, Texas; and Tucson, Ariz.As part of the deal, American Eagle is spending $20 million to build four new gates at a remote terminal just east of Terminal 8. The project, set for completion by the end of this year, will give the carrier a total of 10 gates at LAX.

The move also significantly bulks up American's presence at LAX, where the carrier will operate 152 daily flights to 42 destinations.Los Angeles is a key international gateway for American, said Derek DeCross, vice president of sales for the airline, based in Forth Worth, Texas.Our focus is on providing customers with as many travel options as possible at LAX,DeCross said.That's what our moves today are all about.