CONTINENTAL APPLIES FOR DIRECT HONG KONG FLIGHT
Continental Airlines has applied to U.S. regulators for the right to start a direct flight between New York and Hong Kong in March.
Using a B777-200, Continental said the 16-and-half-hour flight will shave three hours off the typical travel time to Hong Kong from New York. It would be the longest flight operated by a U.S. airline, the longest ever flown out of New York, and the longest route operated by a B777.
Air cargo officials have been impressed with the widebody B777’s lower-deck cargo carrying capability. However, capacity would decrease sharply on such a long flight.