United's Inaugural Flight to China Brings out Fliers
USA Today
Ben Mutzabaugh
28 March 2007

One month after winning federal approval for a coveted non-stop route to China, United Airlines launched its inaugural flight Wednesday from Washington's Dulles International Airport to Beijing to the applause of passengers." That's the take from The Associated Press in a story about United's inaugural flight between the capitals of USA and China.

Local media reports say all 347 seats on United's Boeing 747-400 were sold out for the first flight. "Flights from the United States to China are always packed," says Matthew Alesse of Buffalo, whose business takes him to China about four times a year. "Round-trip prices ranged from about $1,000 for economy class seats to $14,000 for first class on the 13½-hour flight," AP adds. United had staged a celebration at the airport before the flight, a spectacle that include a Chinese-style dragon dancing in the gate area.