OREANDA-NEWS. American Airlines announced it plans to launch its first-ever nonstop service from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) to Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) and Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) next year - reinforcing American's commitment to further strengthen its global presence and meet customer demand for travel to key international markets, especially in the Asia-Pacific region.

“Today's news underscores our commitment to strengthen American's global network in the most important markets around the world,” said Tom Horton, Chairman and CEO of American Airlines. “This is just another example of how we're taking a fresh look at everything we do to provide what our customers value most-from new planes, products and services, to new destinations around the world. Simply put, we're building an even stronger foundation to succeed in our pending merger with US Airways.”

The new daily service between DFW and Hong Kong will be operated with a Boeing 777-300ER, marking the first time American will deploy its flagship aircraft to Asia. The new service between DFW and Shanghai will be operated with a 777-200 aircraft. Pending regulatory approval, customers can travel on these new routes beginning summer 2014.

Both routes will be operated as part of American's joint business agreement with fellow oneworld® alliance member Japan Airlines. The service to Hong Kong will add a new destination to American's international network, and the service to Shanghai complements American's existing service from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD). Through oneworld member airlines and their affiliates, American's customers will have access to more than 145 destinations within Asia. Also, through American's extensive network out of Dallas/Fort Worth, customers traveling from Shanghai and Hong Kong will now have access to nearly 200 destinations throughout North, Central and South America.

“We've been working hard on building our international relationships, and our work continues to pay off for North Texas,” said Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price. “Today's news is great for the Metroplex and a landmark development for the state of Texas, whose residents will have direct access to Hong Kong and Shanghai for the first time in our history. The Asian market is ripe for Texas business and tourists alike.”

“DFW Airport, Mayor Price and I have been advocating for more direct access to the Asian market because it's critical for businesses here and across the state,” said Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings. “These new routes will represent more than USD 360 million in annual economic impact for our region and launch Dallas and Fort Worth into a new dimension of international business and cultural engagement.”

“American's new flights to Hong Kong and Shanghai will begin an exciting era for DFW and are among the most significant air service development announcements in DFW Airport's history,” said Robert Hsueh, Chair, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport Board of Directors. “These direct routes connect DFW to major destinations in Asia and will play a key role in further strengthening ties between our region and Asia.”

In addition to welcoming the 777-300ER to Asia with the launch of service to Hong Kong, American will take delivery of and deploy additional 777-300ER aircraft to key international markets in 2014, including routes from American's hub in Miami for the first time. American will begin operating the 777-300ER on one of its two daily flights from Miami to London Heathrow (LHR) in January, and one of its four daily flights from Miami to Sao Paulo (GRU) in November 2014. American will also operate an additional 777-300ER between New York JFK and London Heathrow in March. By the end of 2014, American will have 16 of the 20 777-300ER aircraft it has on order deployed throughout its network.

With the introduction of an additional 777-300ER between JFK and London Heathrow, customers will have the opportunity to travel in fully lie-flat First Class or Business Class seats on all 12 frequencies American operates together with British Airways between the two airports, providing more fully lie-flat seats than any other airline partnership in the market.

Together, American and British Airways provide customers in the competitive New York to London travel market more service than any other airline partnership, with 17 daily nonstop flights from New York-area airports to London-area airports. In addition to the combined 12 daily trips between JFK and London Heathrow, British Airways also offers direct access from Newark to London Heathrow and the only service by any carrier between JFK and London City (LCY), giving business travelers more convenient access to the financial district in the heart of London.