US airlines oppose Air China request for extra New York and Washington flights

Major US airlines are opposing Air China’s request for two additional roundtrip flights between Beijing and New York and Washington, arguing that Chinese carriers’ access to Russian airspace gives them an advantage that American competitors cannot match.

The flights are associated with Chinese President Xi Jinping’s planned US visit, rather than a permanent increase in service, Reuters reported. Xi is scheduled to visit the United States from September 23–25, 2026, for talks with President Donald Trump, according to China’s Foreign Ministry.

Airlines for America (A4A), which represents American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and other US carriers, wants the additional flights treated as charters. The group argues that approving them as scheduled service could set a precedent for Chinese airlines to seek more regular flights while unequal access to Russian airspace remains unresolved.

A4A’s objection was posted in the Department of Transportation’s public docket on September 17, 2026.

The dispute centers on the economics of flying between China and the US East Coast. Russian airspace provides shorter routes for some Chinese-operated flights, reducing flight time and fuel consumption. US airlines cannot use those routes.

Russia barred US carriers from its airspace in retaliation for Washington’s March 2022 ban on Russian aircraft following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Chinese airlines were not subject to the restrictions.

A4A argues that the resulting detours effectively prevent US airlines from competing on important nonstop East Coast–China routes.

The latest objection follows an unsuccessful US effort to impose comparable routing restrictions on Chinese airlines.

In October 2025, DOT proposed barring Chinese carriers from using Russian airspace on US routes, arguing that unequal access had harmed American competitors. The proposal was shelved ahead of trade talks with China after opposition from other US agencies, Reuters reported.

Chinese airlines had challenged the proposal, warning that longer routes would increase operating costs, raise fares and disrupt passenger connections.

China Eastern said avoiding Russia could add two to three hours to some routes and increase fuel consumption. Air China and China Southern also warned of adverse effects on passengers.The post US airlines oppose Air China request for extra New York and Washington flights appeared first on AeroTime.

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