Delta Air Lines is expanding in Asia with a new service between Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and Shanghai Pudong International Airport in China starting in July 2018.

The new Atlanta flight will be Delta's fourth US gateway to Shanghai, complementing existing service from Detroit, Seattle and Los Angeles. The flight will provide convenient one-stop access to more than 150 destinations in the US and Latin America from Shanghai. In addition, the flight will also provide access to more than 50 destinations in China with codeshare partner China Eastern.

"Strong demand for Delta service across the Pacific and to China nonstop from the US as well as our China Eastern partnership make this route compelling for both business and leisure travellers," said Ed Bastian, Delta's chief executive officer. "We look forward to connecting Delta's hometown and China Eastern's home with this route, while offering our customers innovative products, thoughtful in-flight service and leading operational reliability."

The flight creates a direct link between one of China's major commercial and industrial centers and Atlanta. The new flight adds to Delta's existing service to Seoul and Tokyo, providing Atlanta with non-stop service to the three largest markets in Asia and convenient one-stop access to more than 75 destinations in Asia with partners China Eastern and Korean Air.

"Both global connectivity and maintaining a strong relationship with China are extremely vital to Georgia's economic landscape," said Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal. "This nonstop flight will not only serve our tourism industry by shortening the international travel time, but will bolster our business community as well. The flight will help shorten supply chains for our companies and give them a daily link to China for time-sensitive distribution. I appreciate Delta Air Lines for all of its hard work in making sure that Georgia remains a leader in the global marketplace."

"We are pleased that Delta is now offering non-stop service to Shanghai Pudong International Airport, strengthening Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport's standing as the world's busiest and most-efficient passenger airport and a gateway to the world," said Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed. "This new direct route will open new business and cultural opportunities between Shanghai and Atlanta, and will support our thriving tourism industry. Currently, China ranks second for visitor volume to Atlanta, and we welcome the new travellers who will be able to come to our city or through our airport with this new direct route."

"Reinstating this vital intercontinental route further attests to metro Atlanta's standing as a logistics powerhouse and gateway to the world," said Hala Moddelmog, President and CEO of the Metro Atlanta Chamber. "The team at Delta Air Lines continues to bring forward innovation and smart business ideas that inspire the airline industry and solidify our region's position as a top-tier global competitor."

Delta's onboard experience to and from Shanghai will be on the 291-seat Boeing 777-200LR aircraft featuring 37 lie-flat seats with direct aisle access in Delta One, 36 seats in Delta Comfort+ and 218 seats in the Main Cabin, which features an industry-leading nine-abreast seating layout, among the widest in international economy seating. Every seat has Wi-Fi, a personal, in-flight seatback entertainment screen as well as power ports. Complimentary meals, including locally sourced Chinese meals, and beverages will also be provided in all cabins. Additionally, in the Delta One cabin, customers will enjoy Westin Heavenly In-Flight Bedding, noise-canceling LSTN headphones, TUMI amenity kits featuring Kiehl's Since 1851 premium skincare and in-flight loungewear.

The Delta One suite and Delta Premium Select will progressively roll out on Delta's Boeing 777 fleet beginning in late 2018.

Delta Air Lines serves more than 180 million customers each year. - TradeArabia News Service