Delta to begin nonstop flights from L.A. to Shanghai in July

Los Angeles travelers heading to Shanghai this summer will gain a new option when Delta Air Lines begins daily nonstop service between the two cities.

Delta says the Los Angeles area accounts for 25% of all U.S.-Asia demand, according to a statement about the new route.

The airline joins American and United, which also fly daily from L.A. to the eastern Chinese city.

Only in the last four years have the big three U.S. airlines seized on the L.A.-Shanghai route.

American Airlines started daily service in April 2011, and United followed a month later. Foreign carrier China Eastern also flies the route.

Delta plans to begin L.A.-Shanghai service on the new route in July, pending approval from the U.S. and Chinese governments.

It will fly a Boeing 777-200LR with 291 seats, including 37 flat-bed seats in business class.

Outbound flights will leave Los Angeles at 1:15 p.m. and arrive in Shanghai at 6:15 p.m. the next day (14 hours). The return flight leaves Shanghai at 8:55 p.m. and arrives in L.A. at 6:15 p.m. (12 hours and 20 minutes).

Info: Delta Air Lines