Full Breakdown
Chinese Airline’s Extra Flight Request Meets U.S. Airline Opposition Amid Xi’s State Visit
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Air China’s bid and pending DOT decision
Air China applied to the U.S. Department of Transportation for two additional nonstop flights—Beijing -> New York (JFK) and Beijing -> Washington (IAD)—to coincide with Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit. The trade group Airlines for America (A4A), which represents the major U.S. carriers, filed an objection on September 19. As of the latest update, the DOT has not posted an online decision.
Background & Context: Bilateral limits and Russian airspace advantage
U.S.–China aviation agreements cap each side at 50 round-trip flights per week. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 300 weekly flights operated between the two countries; the cap now restricts both sides to roughly 50 weekly flights shared among carriers. Chinese airlines retain the ability to overfly Russian airspace, a route unavailable to U.S. carriers because Russia barred them after Washington banned Russian flights in March 2022. The ability to use Russian airspace shortens routes, reduces fuel burn and lowers costs for Chinese carriers.
In October 2025, the DOT proposed banning Chinese airlines from Russian airspace on U.S. routes, citing the same competitive imbalance, but the proposal was withdrawn after opposition from other U.S. agencies and ahead of trade talks with China.
Data & Statistics
- Pre-pandemic capacity: >300 weekly flights between the United States and China.
- Current bilateral cap: 50 round-trip flights per week for each side.
- Air China’s existing service: five weekly flights to both New York and Washington.
- A4A membership: Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, and Air Canada (cargo members FedEx, Atlas Air, UPS did not participate).
Official Statements & Responses
- The group also suggested that any temporary capacity need be met through charter operations under Part 212 rather than scheduled service.
- The U.S. Department of Transportation has not issued a public comment on the pending request.
- Air China did not respond to a request for comment.
Criticism & Opposition
A4A contended that allowing the two additional flights would set a precedent for incremental additions beyond the carefully set limits, effectively bypassing the 50-flight cap. The group emphasized that U.S. carriers cannot use Russian airspace, making it “essentially impossible” for them to match the nonstop East-Coast routes that Chinese airlines enjoy. A4A urged the DOT to treat the flights as charters, not as permanent schedule expansions.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
No definitive DOT ruling has been released, and Air China has remained silent on the matter. It is therefore unclear whether the flights will be classified as charter operations or incorporated into Air China’s regular schedule.
What’s Next
Industry observers expect no change to the existing flight-cap rules before the conclusion of President Xi’s visit. The DOT’s final decision on the request remains pending, and any amendment to the bilateral limits would likely require further regulatory review after the diplomatic trip ends.