US Carriers Oppose Proposed Expansion of US-China Direct Flights

Major US airlines are lobbying the Trump administration to reject China’s proposal to add more direct flights between China and the US. Aviation trade group Airlines for America, which represents Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, United Airlines, and others, warned that US airlines could face a competitive disadvantage if the proposal is approved.

US-China Flights

Chinese President Xi Jinping suggested increasing direct flights between the US and China during an event in Washington, DC, on Thursday. Xi said, “Our two sides may also increase direct flights to facilitate two-way travel and trade.” 

Currently, there are 50 round-trip flights per week between the two countries, down from more than 150 before the pandemic. In August 2023, Chinese and US carriers could fly only 12 flights a week between the two countries.

Limited Access to Russian Airspace

Chris Sununu, the head of Airlines for America, said Chinese airlines’ access to Russian airspace puts US airlines at a financial disadvantage. American carriers, meanwhile, remain banned from using Russian airspace.

In an interview, Sununu said, “It’s not just a minor thing. It’s a huge cost to the airlines to have to go around Russia.” He added, “It’s imbalanced. It’s unfair.” 

Sununu pleaded with the administration, “Don’t ​make it worse for us.”

The dispute stems from airspace restrictions imposed after Russia invaded Ukraine. At the start of the Russia-Ukraine war, the US banned Russian aircraft from using US airspace. In response, Russia blocked US airlines from transiting Russian airspace.

Concerns over Chinese airlines using Russian airspace are not new. A similar proposal was made in October 2025. The US Transportation Department proposed banning Chinese airlines that use Russian airspace on US routes. The proposal cited the disadvantage faced by US airlines because Chinese carriers could reduce flight times by using Russian airspace. However, US agencies opposed the idea ahead of trade talks with China.