United Airlines' entry into this route will place it alongside Air China, which currently operates two itineraries between Los Angeles and Beijing-Capital. While one itinerary avoids Russian airspace en route to California, the other does not. US carriers have raised concerns about Chinese-based airlines having an advantage as they continue using Russian airspace for flights between China and Europe or the US.
Data from Cirium’s Diio Mi airline planning system reveals that United Airlines plans to operate a total of 21 weekly flights from various US cities to China in May 2025. This includes daily flights from Los Angeles to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) and daily routes each from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Beijing-Capital and Shanghai-Pudong.
Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and subsequent geopolitical tensions leading to sanctions against airspace usage by Western countries and Russia alike, United Airlines has been avoiding Russian airspace for its current China-bound flights.
In addition to United's operations from Los Angeles and San Francisco airports extending into Hong Kong International Airport (HKG), American Airlines and Delta Air Lines offer services primarily directed towards Shanghai-Pudong.
Despite their collective efforts resulting in a planned schedule of approximately 70 weekly flights from US-based airlines like Cathay Pacific scheduled around Hong Kong-China-US routes for May next year stands significantly higher at nearly double—127 planned weekly services showcasing its dominance within this sector while marking substantial post-pandemic recovery compared against past years such as pre-COVID levels witnessed back during early months spanning across mid-2019 timeframe when numbers reached upwards beyond over five hundred mark reaching approximately five hundred eleven weekly frequencies originally charted out back then prior ongoing disruptions observed lately due global events affecting travel dynamics worldwide ever since ensuing crises emerged afterwards prompting shift balance previously accustomed normalcy established previously industry-wide thus far seen historically speaking till now overall overall current outlook remains cautiously optimistic towards sustained recovery growth longer term moving forward despite recent setbacks faced globally industry-wide recently encountered still present today amidst ongoing challenges prevailing currently facing entire aviation sector worldwide collectively grappling unprecedented situation evolving rapidly changing circumstances prevailing uncertain times persistently posing continuous risks potential impacts adversely affecting business operations negatively influencing profitability margins reduced revenues declining demand limited capacity constraints heightened competition intensified pressures eroding bottom lines already stretched thinly resources scarce funds available strained budgets tight fiscal policies enforced regulatory frameworks imposed governmental restrictions mandates required compliance obligations necessitating adherence strict guidelines protocols stipulated authorities governing respective jurisdictions territories regions affected impacted severely hit hardest sectors 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