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United Airlines today thanks the governments of the People's Republic of China and the United States for their collaborative effort, resulting in a new agreement liberalizing air services between the countries. Under the new agreement, United plans to apply for authority to launch daily, nonstop service between Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and Shanghai's Pudong International Airport (PVG).

The new agreement provides United the opportunity to apply for additional nonstop service to China, as well as increases the carrier's code-share rights to China with Air China and Star Alliance members.

"All of us at United are excited about the new agreement and the potential it represents. It will provide United with the opportunity to launch much-needed additional nonstop China service," says John Tague, executive vice president - Marketing, Sales and Revenue. "Both governments have worked hard to reach an agreement that will benefit travelers and support the increasing commercial and cultural exchanges between our countries. New China service is needed immediately because travel demand in this market is at record levels. United has the infrastructure in place to meet that demand by connecting our hub in Chicago, and travelers from the U.S. Midwest and East Coast, with Shanghai, China's commercial and financial center."

United currently is the only U.S. airline with nonstop service from the U.S. to China, with daily, nonstop flights between Chicago and Beijing, and San Francisco and Shanghai, as well as newly launched daily, nonstop service between San Francisco and Beijing. The airline in April opened a sales office in Guangzhou, another city United is interested in serving in the future. United currently is limited to 21 flights per week between the U.S. and China.

United offers more flights between the 50 United States and Asia Pacific than any other airline. United serves 11 Asia Pacific destinations, including Bangkok, Beijing, Hong Kong, Melbourne, Osaka, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Sydney, Taipei, and Tokyo. And, with the Star Alliance network, United customers have access to even more Asia-Pacific markets, representing virtually all points in the region.

United, United Express and Ted operate more than 3,500 flights a day on a route network that spans the globe.