Delta to resume China flights as US-China aviation spat cools
Delta Air Lines will restart service to China on Thursday, adding flights between Seattle and Shanghai Pudong (PVG) with a crew stop at Seoul Incheon (ICN).
The Atlanta-based airline will become the first U.S. carrier to return to China since flights were halted at the early onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in February. The Seattle-Shanghai flights will operate twice a week in June. Starting in July, Delta plans to operate one flight a week from Seattle and Detroit on Thursdays and Fridays respectively — also via Seoul.
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- DL287/288: outbound departs Seattle at 11:30 p.m. Thursday (all times local) and arrives Shanghai at 4:45 a.m., return departs Shanghai at 9:15 a.m. Saturday and arrives Seattle at 7:15 a.m. The itinerary includes a stop in Seoul.
- DL283/284: outbound departs Detroit at 7 p.m. Friday (all times local) and arrives Shanghai at 12:15 a.m., return departs Shanghai at 4:45 a.m. Sunday and arrives Detroit at 8:20 a.m. The itinerary includes a stop in Seoul.
Both flights will be flown on an Airbus A350-900 fitted with 306 seats, including 32 Delta One business class suites. The Seattle route will revert back to an Airbus A330-900neo beginning August, which only has 29 Delta One suites but has a Comfort+ cabin — which the A350-900 doesn't.
Wong Hong, Delta's President for Greater China and Singapore, said in a statement that the carrier is "excited to resume our services between the U.S. and China, as economic and social activities start to recover."
Review: 8 reasons why Delta One is the go-to way for Asia
Delta's resumption of China service comes after a series of tit-for-tat exchanges between U.S. and Chinese aviation authorities seemed to have died down last week. The spat hit its crescendo when Washington said it would bar Chinese carriers from flying to the U.S. earlier this month. Since then, the Civil Aviation Authority of China (CAAC) had been gradually revising its policy to allow for more flights by U.S. carriers.
Chinese carriers had also applied for increased services to the U.S., but the Department of Transportation announced last Friday that it was rejecting those requests to "maintain the parity in scheduled passenger services between U.S. and Chinese carriers." DOT noted, however, that it was willing to review this decision if the CAAC adjusted its policies affecting U.S. carriers. Delta's schedule reflects the current route policy between the two countries, which allows for U.S. airlines to offer two round-trip flights per week.
While Delta gets set to resume its China service, it will likely soon be joined by United.
Read: A $14k rescue mission from China for a special corgi named Watson
The Chicago-based carrier also plans to serve destinations in Mainland China, specifically Beijing Capital (PEK) and Shanghai from San Francisco (SFO) — plus a flight from Newark (EWR) to Shanghai. While the carrier had put its plans for China on hold because of the uncertainties surrounding schedule policy, it is still planing to resume flights to China.
But United does not yet have a firm date for the re-start, with a spokesperson telling TPG that "we aim to re-launch our service to China in the weeks ahead."
Whenever that restart comes, however, United will have to cut one of its planned routes if no additional changes are the current flight limits imposed by U.S. and Chinese regulators.
Despite the resumptions, passenger traffic on the routes is still expected to be limited. Foreign nationals remain prohibited from entering China, and the U.S. government is forbidding entry for anyone who has visited China within the 14 days prior to departure — though U.S. citizens and green card holders are exempt.
Guide: When will international travel return? A country-by-country guide to coronavirus travel restrictions
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.