“This is a great development for travelers who need convenient nonstop service between the U.S. and China. We’re pleased with the DOT’s decision which clearly serves the DOT’s stated goals of enhancing competition and providing travelers with a diversity of choices that maximize public benefits,” said Doug Steenland, Northwest’s president and chief executive officer. “We’re grateful to the 136,000 Northwest customers, corporate clients, partners, elected officials and employees who wrote in support of our bid. I would like to also thank the U.S. Government for its success in negotiating the new air service agreement that made today’s announcement possible.”

Northwest’s WorldGateway hub in Detroit is the largest U.S. gateway to Asia of any U.S. airline, offering a broad network of coverage from more than 100 U.S. cities. Detroit lies on the Great Circle route and is geographically well located to serve the most U.S. cities with efficient connections and shortest trip times to China.

Northwest plans to use the Boeing 787 for the new service. Northwest is the North American service launch customer for the 787, a fuel-efficient aircraft that will usher in a new era of customer comfort and convenience. The 787 will be one of the most environmentally-friendly commercial planes in the sky.