United Airlines gains approval for three weekly flights from Los Angeles to Beijing starting May 2025

United Airlines has received approval from the U.S. Department of Transportation to start three weekly flights between Los Angeles and Beijing, beginning by May 11, 2025. This will be United's fourth route to China, excluding Hong Kong. The DOT has set conditions for the new flights. If United does not operate the route for 90 days, the frequency will be considered dormant and could be reallocated. United will join Air China, which currently operates two flights on this route. In May 2025, United plans to operate 21 weekly flights to China, including daily services to Shanghai. U.S. airlines are significantly outnumbered by Chinese carriers, which have scheduled 127 weekly flights compared to 70 from U.S. airlines.