In a splashy Spring Festival promotion on 17 February, Air China lit up New York’s Times Square megascreens with a themed animation celebrating the Year of the Horse. The carrier says the campaign underscores its commitment to ‘bridging cultures and economies’ as China’s flag airline rebuilds its long-haul network.
Air China currently operates 24 weekly services to the United States—still below its 2019 high of 50 but double last year’s frequency. The marketing push coincides with its application to the US Department of Transportation for additional slots at JFK and SFO this summer, a move welcomed by travel managers seeking more seat inventory and fare competition on the trans-Pacific.
Besides brand visibility, the Times Square activation targeted US-based Chinese diaspora and American corporates pivoting back to mainland sourcing trips. According to the carrier, corporate-contract bookings for March-April are already 38 % higher than the same period in 2025, led by technology and apparel buyers heading to trade fairs in Shenzhen and Chengdu.
![Air China’s Times Square Take-Over Highlights Renewed US-China Flight Connectivity]()
Mobility practitioners should note that Air China has rolled out a simplified ‘Phoenix Multi-City Pass’ valid for 30-day stopovers in up to three Chinese hubs—Beijing, Chengdu and Chongqing—without itinerary-change fees, aligning with China’s broader visa-free transit policy. The product could become a cost-effective tool for executives stitching together plant visits across inland provinces.
If your travel plans require a full Chinese visa rather than the shorter visa-free transit, VisaHQ can manage the paperwork from start to finish, offering step-by-step guidance, secure document handling, and real-time status updates—saving both travelers and program managers valuable time. Visit https://www.visahq.com/china/ to see requirements and begin the application process.
While primarily a branding exercise, the campaign is a visible sign that major Chinese carriers are once again competing aggressively on international corridors, expanding options for assignment managers and travel buyers planning 2026 budgets.
Air China currently operates 24 weekly services to the United States—still below its 2019 high of 50 but double last year’s frequency. The marketing push coincides with its application to the US Department of Transportation for additional slots at JFK and SFO this summer, a move welcomed by travel managers seeking more seat inventory and fare competition on the trans-Pacific.
Besides brand visibility, the Times Square activation targeted US-based Chinese diaspora and American corporates pivoting back to mainland sourcing trips. According to the carrier, corporate-contract bookings for March-April are already 38 % higher than the same period in 2025, led by technology and apparel buyers heading to trade fairs in Shenzhen and Chengdu.
Mobility practitioners should note that Air China has rolled out a simplified ‘Phoenix Multi-City Pass’ valid for 30-day stopovers in up to three Chinese hubs—Beijing, Chengdu and Chongqing—without itinerary-change fees, aligning with China’s broader visa-free transit policy. The product could become a cost-effective tool for executives stitching together plant visits across inland provinces.
If your travel plans require a full Chinese visa rather than the shorter visa-free transit, VisaHQ can manage the paperwork from start to finish, offering step-by-step guidance, secure document handling, and real-time status updates—saving both travelers and program managers valuable time. Visit https://www.visahq.com/china/ to see requirements and begin the application process.
While primarily a branding exercise, the campaign is a visible sign that major Chinese carriers are once again competing aggressively on international corridors, expanding options for assignment managers and travel buyers planning 2026 budgets.
