The city of Chongqing, which lies on the banks of the Yangtze River in western China, will soon be connected to New York with the launch of non-stop flights by Hainan Airlines.

The Chinese carrier will start flying twice a week non-stop between Chongqing and New York JFK Airport on 20 October 2017. This new service will create a major bridge between two of the world’s most populous cities, which have a combined population in excess of 40 million people.

Flights will depart Chongqing’s Jiangbei International Airport every Wednesday and Friday at 2200 and arrive in New York at 0050 the following day. Return flights depart JFK every Thursday and Saturday at 0250 and arrive back in Chongqing at 0635 next morning.

The route will be operated using Hainan Airlines’ Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.

“Hainan Airlines rolled out a non-stop service between Chongqing and Los Angeles on March 21, 2017, representing the first ever non-stop route connecting Chongqing to North America. With the new service, travellers will be able to fly directly from Chongqing to both of the US’s coasts, east and west, via Hainan Airlines,” said Pu Ming, vice president of Hainan Airlines.

“The opening of the new route is expected to significantly facilitate exchanges… between the two countries and to further improve Chongqing’s international role as a key aviation hub.”

The new Chongqing-New York route becomes Hainan Airlines’ 13th direct service to North America. It also becomes the airline’s third long-haul route from Chongqing, following the existing services to LA and Rome.