Indeed, Air China called its new Panama route 'a natural extension of the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road,' a reference to a modern-day version of the trade route that once connected China to Europe across Asia.īecause the full routing is Beijing - Houston - Panama, this is also a rare fifth-freedom flight - one that's operated by a foreign carrier between two foreign countries as part of service connecting those points to the airline's home country. Before this route was established, travelers would have had to make multiple stops and possibly switch carriers in order to travel between China and Panama. In anticipation of this international alliance, Air China's new route officially launched on April 5, departing from Beijing (PEK) and stopping in Houston (IAH) before continuing on to Panama City (PTY). IntroductionĪs mentioned in my business-class review of the reciprocal flight, China and Panama will begin negotiations for a free trade deal this upcoming June. After the inaugural run to Panama City, I turned right around and flew on the same plane right back to Houston - this time in economy. Last week, I reviewed the business-class experience on Air China's new fifth-freedom route between Houston (IAH) and Panama City (PTY).