Air China adds Chiang Mai

Air China will introduce a service from Beijing to Chiang Mai, 7 November, a move that will draw thousands of Chinese visitors to the northern gateway destination.

Using a B737-800, the airline will offer three weekly flights from Beijing Monday, Thursday, and Saturday.

The outbound flight, CA823, will depart from Beijing at 1830 and arrive in Chiang Mai at 2240. The return flight, CA824, will leave Chiang Mai at 2345 and arrive in Beijing at 0500.

Initially, the airline is committed to flying the route for the winter season through to March 2014. Beyond that it will depend on traffic demand.

All of the traffic will be generated in Beijing making the flights virtually scheduled charters (seats pre-sold the tour operators who work with Air China).

Air China is a member of Star Alliance, which will allow business travellers resident in Chiang Mai to use the service to connect with international flights to the US and Japan on either Air China or other alliance airlines.

In addition, the airline will add a third daily flight to Bangkok, 27 October, also using a B737-800.

The additional fligth, CA809, will depart from Beijing at 0040 and arrive in Bangkok at 0505. The return flight, CA810, will depart Bangkok at 0610 and arrive Beijing at 1150.

Sourced: ttrweekly