Interesting news for regulars on the notoriously delay-ridden Shanghai-Beijing air route. A Beijing-Shanghai "Air Expressway," jointly created by Air China, China Eastern, China Southern and Hainan Airlines, will be formally launched on 6 August.
The full details are rather unforthcoming, but, according to a representative from Air China, the expressway will feature a denser flight schedule with one flight at least every 30 minutes, and passengers will be able to buy a ticket and board at short notice. The Expressway will also offer "simplified check-in and on-board procedures" - though no further details have yet been provided.
Upon completion of the new Norman Foster-designed Terminal Three at Beijing Capital International Airport, passengers will be able to complete "relevant formalities at the Dongzhimen Waiting Hall." In addition, after the Beijing-Shanghai Air Expressway is launched, "air tickets of those participating airline companies, including discounted tickets, can reportedly be unconditionally changed."
Interestingly, there is no mention in official dispatches of the role to be played by e-ticketing, a service that is currently largely under-utilised in China, on the new route, though this may fall under the simplified check-in procedures ambit.
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