Non-stop Chengdu-San Francisco air route to open in 2014

United Airlines launches a non-stop flight between Chengdu and San Francisco during a press conference on August 29.

The service will be offered three times a week between the two cities and will use the Boeing-787 Dreamliner. The flight time will be about 14 hours.

It is the first direct flight from Chengdu to the United States. The current route offers convenience for travelers between the two cities.

"Customers in Chengdu will benefit from non-stop flights to the US west coast with fast and easy connections from the San Francisco hub to destinations throughout America," said James Mueller, vice-president of United Airlines Atlantic and Pacific Sales.

As an important air transport hub in West China, Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport will also allow travelers in San Francisco to easily transfer to other western cities in China.

The direct flight will enhance business trade and cultural exchange between West China and the US and it will help to accelerate the internationalization of Chengdu city, Liu Shoucheng, vice-mayor of the city, told media at the press conference.

The Boeing-787 Dreamliner airplane has a total of 219 seats, providing high quality services for passengers.