Air China has announced the impending launch of its new route between Beijing and Milan on June 15, 2011. The route will be serviced by wide-bodied Airbus A330 aircraft.

The second largest city in Italy, Milan is world-famous for its fashion, art and culture. Air China is the only Chinese airline to fly direct routes to the city from Beijing, greatly benefiting travelers in pursuit of fashion and art.

Air China's Beijing to Milan route will offer flights every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, with flight numbers CA949 and CA950. Outbound flights will leave Beijing at 13:30 and arrive in Milan at 19:00 local time. Return flights will depart from Milan at 13:30 and arrive in Beijing the next day at 13:30. The journey time is 11 hours and 30 minutes each way.

Air China officially launched a direct Shanghai-Milan route in May, 2008, but the route from Beijing to Milan is yet to be opened. In the past, the journey would normally take passengers approximately 17 hours to complete and required a transfer. The new route will not only make the trip more convenient but also save a lot of time.

Zhou Enyong, the general manager of Air China's marketing department, said the Beijing-Milan route is an expansion of Air China's network in Europe, successfully making Air China the airline with the most European routes among China's domestic airlines.