Hainan Airlines will begin flying from Las Vegas on Dec. 2, launching three weekly flights to Beijing on Boeing 787 Dreamliners. The carrier announced its intention to operate the flights earlier this year, but received the needed regulatory approvals this week.

 

Hainan’s Beijing flights will give Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport its first-ever regularly scheduled nonstop route to mainland China, a destination that accounts for one of the fastest-growing segment of visitors to Las Vegas, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. The Associated Press continues that theme, writing the new flights come as Las Vegas and Asian investors "are going all in on Chinese tourism as some of Las Vegas’ latest developments on and off the Strip target Chinese nationals and Chinese-Americans."

 

The Beijing service becomes Las Vegas’ second regularly scheduled route to Asia. Korean Air also flies from the city to its hub near Seoul.

 

For Hainan Air, Las Vegas continues a recent growth spurt for the carrier in the United States. The airline also has launched new routes from cities like Boston, Seattle and San Jose, Calif., during the past few years.

 

Hainan Air’s 213-seat Dreamliners are configured with 36 full flat-bed business-class seats in a 2-2-2 layout and 177 coach seats in a 3-3-3 layout.