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A few weeks ago, we told you that several US airlines are jockeying for one opening route to and from China early next year: Northwest from Detroit to Shanghai, United from Washington, D.C., to Beijing, American from Dallas to Beijing and Continental from Newark to Shanghai.
Why are we rehashing old info? Well, yesterday Shanghaiist received, not one, not two, but three emails from family and friends asking us to sign this petition, which supports Continental’s bid to operate direct daily flights from Metro New York region to Shanghai. A little fair disclosure is in order before we go further: Neither we nor anyone we know works for Continental Airlines, but we do hail from the Garden State, aka New Jersey, aka that stretch of boggy marshland directly south of New York City. Self serving? Guilty as charged! We are just sick and tired of 17 hour flights every time we need to go home. If approved, the Continental route will help us (and many others) shave at least four hours off the trip. So help us, please?
Not to be left behind, other airlines competing for the slot have also put up their public campaign site. Here is one from American Airlines touting its route between Dallas and Beijing. Since Shangahiist isn't Fox News, we have no interest in being "fair and balanced". We want Continental!!!
While we are on the subject of flying, CalcuttaNews.net (no doubt a hotbed for news related to the Chinese aviation sector) reported that direct flights between Shanghai and Taiwan during the upcoming mid-autumn festival will go on sale today: Economy class tickets will cost about US$587 and business class at about US$862. The flight will operate between Sept 30 and Oct 7, coinciding with the week-long national holiday in the PRC. Those of you holding a foreign passport and are still looking for an (expensive) getaway spot, Taiwan may just be your answer.
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All hail the Dirty Jerz! Newark airport rocks, people, and you know it.
HOLLA! I need to get back to Trenton sometime soon!
This would be great. I would like to go back to Jersey sometime. And I also might move to Shanghai next year. Good timing.
Good luck with the direct flights.
BTW, the Shanghai to Taiwan flights are only for Taiwanese who live in China. Bignoses are not allowed to buy those tickets, lest the heavens fall in. The flights will be half empty as usual.
I have taken the Continental direct from Beijing, it's great. From Shanghai I usually fly ANA to Tokyo then JFK. If it must be two flights, I prefer a short jump first then a longer leg second as opposed to the SFO or ORD options offered by United or American. Besides, I'd rather avoid the surly old bitches those carriers employ. Continental seems a little better - and I pray they get the clearance for PVG-EWR.
I hear that re the flight attendants on American or United to the USA--those be-otches are SURLY! JAL to JFK any day of the week. Plus you don't have to pay for booze!