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Travel Tech Company CIBT and Air China Announce Distribution Partnership


The partnership gives Air China the ability to use CIBT’s proprietary suite of products to inform United States outbound travelers of travel documentation requirements when traveling to China.

Leading provider of Global Visa, Passport and Immigration Solutions, CIBT uses proprietary products and travel documentation expertise to create a seamless customer experience journey for Air China passengers traveling from the United States to China. Travel providers and customers alike are eager to start traveling to China again—but what was once familiar is now complex due to the rapid pace of change in travel rules.

United States citizens must have a visa to enter China. The type of visa required depends on the purpose of the visit. As of January 1^st 2024, China updated their regulations allowing simplified visa applications for tourists from the United States, reducing the documents required. Tourist visa applicants in the United States no longer need to submit air ticket bookings, hotel reservations or an invitation letter. Although the changes are welcome to revive tourism and boost the world's second-largest economy, the changes create a lot of uncertainty regarding documentation requirements for travel.

"Our team's mission is focused on continuously delivering digital solutions and experiences to our partners that close the information gap and enables global movement with the real-time accuracy that customers need to manage the complexities of a changing world and travel confidently. Our partnership with Air China solidifies our larger vision of simplifying the journey, to bridge people, cultures, and businesses and open the world by making it possible for travelers to obtain documentation requirements during the travel booking process.” said CIBT, Global Distribution, SVP, Silvia Medina.

To ensure that Air China travelers are ready for their trip without the stress or the uncertainty of travel documentation requirements to visit China, Air China partnered with CIBT to provide customers with access to their proprietary widget. The widget allows Air China customers to obtain instant results if a travel visa is required for their next international trip, all the necessary documentation and steps to process their visa, and requirements for making sure that their passport is valid.  Additional services are available through CIBT that ensures the required visa paperwork for Air China travelers is filled out, signed, and delivered to the proper place. CIBT can also expediate the visa application, and its staff are available to answer any questions that customers may have.

CIBT has also partnered with Air China to create a customized, mobile friendly website for travelers. Air China travelers may access CIBT’s website without limitation to obtain resources such as visa requirements, www.cibtvisas.com/airchina.

Air China operates non-stop flights to Beijing from four key destinations in the United States: Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, and Washington, D.C. Specifically, the flight schedule includes four weekly flights from Los Angeles (Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday) two weekly flights from San Francisco (Wednesday and Saturday); five weekly flights from New York (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday); and two weekly flights from Washington, D.C. (Tuesday and Saturday).

As part of a collaborative effort with CIBT, Air China extends an exclusive benefit to travelers who secure Chinese visas through CIBT. These travelers are eligible for an additional 5% discount when booking tickets through Air China's North American website.

With a commitment to safety and comfort, Air China ensures a seamless and enjoyable journey for passengers traveling to China.

Additional Information

About Air China

Today’s Air China can trace its origins to 1988 when Air China International Corporation was established. In October 2002, based on an industry reform plan formulated by the central government, Air China International Corporation, China Aviation Corporation and China Southwest Airlines merged, and the surviving company was still called Air China International Corporation. On September 30, 2004, Air China International Corporation was rebranded as Air China Limited. Air China is responsible for the task of providing special flight services for China’s leaders when they go on foreign trips. Air China is the only flag-carrier aviation company in China, and a member of the world’s largest airline alliance Star Alliance, the official aviation transportation partner of the 2008 Beijing Olympics and Paralympics and the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics and Paralympics. Air China takes the lead among domestic airlines in passenger transportation and other related services. Headquartered in Beijing, Air China has several branch offices in areas such as Southwest China, Zhejiang, Chongqing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Hubei, Xingjiang, Guangdong, Guizhou, Tibet, and Wenzhou. Visit https://www.airchina.us   

About CIBT

The leading global provider of immigration, visa and document services for businesses and consumers, CIBT draws on over 30 years of experience to smooth the path of international mobility by managing the complexities of a changing world for professionals and individuals alike. Founded in 1989 and globally headquartered in Washington, DC, CIBT taps the passion and expertise of nearly 2,000 immigration and visa professionals, attorneys, and qualified migration consultants located in over 60 offices in 29 countries to empower people and organizations to live, work, travel, and trade seamlessly through its global reach, local expertise, and customer-focused technology solutions. Services range from global immigration and mobility, visas and passports, legalizations, travel, and document services and more. The trusted and primary service provider to 75% of the world’s largest companies, CIBT’s suite of services is offered under brands CIBTvisas, Newland Chase immigration services and Blair Consular Services. For more information, please visit https://corporate.cibt.com and follow CIBT on LinkedIn, Facebook, X (Twitter) and Instagram.

Related Links

https://cibtvisas.com/news-and-updates

Dear Passengers,

         According to the "Notice on the Current Visa Application Procedures"  issued by the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Los Angeles on December 29, 2023, the Consulate General of China in Los Angeles has recently released the "Guide of How to apply for Chinese Visa in Four-Steps". If you need to apply for a Chinese visa, please click to read the following application process.

         Related link for the Consulate General in Los Angeles:

http://losangeles.china-consulate.gov.cn/chn/tzgg/202401/t20240131_11236644.htm

Dear Travelers:

    Air China has now introduced branded fares in economy class on international and regional routes from/to China. We now offer four fare options: Economy Standard, Economy Flex, Economy Comfort, and Economy Latitude. You can choose the most suitable ticket refund and rebooking rules, free checked baggage allowances, and member mileage benefits based on different travel needs.

    Economy Standard does not allow ticket refunds, and rebooking is subject to a fee. Some routes under this brand do not include a free checked baggage allowance.

    Economy Flex allows ticket refunds and rebooking with a fee. Depending on the route, passengers may enjoy a free checked baggage allowance of either one piece at 23kg or two pieces at 23kg for each.

    Economy Comfort allows ticket refunds with a fee and free rebooking. Depending on the route, passengers may enjoy a free checked baggage allowance of either one piece at 23kg or two pieces at 23kg for each. They receive a certain amount of additional non-qualified miles.

    Economy Latitude allows both ticket refunds and rebooking without incurring fees. Depending on the route, passengers may enjoy a free checked baggage allowance of either one piece at 23kg or two pieces at 23kg for each. They receive a higher amount of additional non-qualified miles, with up to an additional 3000 non-qualified miles on long-haul routes.

    The service standards of branded fares may be adjusted based on market conditions. Please refer to the purchased ticket for the final details.

    In the future, Air China will continue to introduce more differentiated services to enrich your travel choices. We look forward to traveling with you.

Air China Limited

Dear Valued Passenger,

         We would like to bring to your attention a crucial update concerning the Air China check-in counters at Los Angeles International Airport.

         Currently, the Air China check-in counter at LAX Tom Bradley Terminal is not fixed, and adjustments to the counter numbers are made by the local airport operations department based on the day's flight schedule. To avoid any inconvenience and ensure a smooth check-in process, we kindly advise you to pay attention to the digital display screens upon your arrival at the airport for the latest information on the check-in counter location.  Alternatively, you may inquire with the local airport staff for confirmation.

         Please be advised that the check-in counter will be closed 60 minutes before the scheduled departure time of your flight. We recommend that you plan your travel arrangements accordingly to allow sufficient time for check-in procedures.

         Your understanding and cooperation are greatly appreciated, and we apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. If you have any further inquiries or require assistance, please feel free to contact our customer service or approach airport staff for guidance.

         Wishing you safe travels, and we look forward to serving you on board.

Kind regards,

Air China Ltd.

Dear passengers

        In the frequent Internet or telecommunication frauds recently, criminals have been impersonating Air China staff or Air China agents by SMS, phone calls, and other means to defraud passengers of money with the reasons such as flight changes (such as flight cancellation, delay, mechanical malfunction), ticket refunds, mileage changes, etc.

        In order to avoid any loss to you, please be vigilant and refrain from actions such as providing verification codes, downloading the app, and clicking the provided links. You can verify information through formal channels such as Air China customer service number 95583, Air China website www.airchina.com, Air China app, Air China WeChat/Alipay applet, and be careful not to fall for scams.

Air China Limited

October 25, 2023

Dear Passengers,

Effective from October 16, 2022, for passengers traveling to countries or regions that still have mask mandates, if you are unable to wear a mask during travel or cannot safely wear a mask because of physical or medical reasons, you can submit a request for a mask exemption to Air China.

Please provide doctor’s certificate or letter and fill in the Mask Exemption Request Form , and contact Air China North America Call Center at 800-882-8122 to make a request at least 7 days prior to departure. If an exemption request is made within 7 days before travel, Air China may not be able to guarantee a confirmation reply in time.

On the day of departure, please bring these documents to the Air China check-in counter. Air China recommends that you go to the airport to check in for your flight as early as you can on the day of departure, so that we can review the exemption documentation and procedures with you.

Note: We may require you and your travelling party to move to alternate seats in the cabin. The above mentioned exemptions are only valid in the cabin of Air China-operated flights. Passengers should abide by relevant local regulations after arriving at their destination.

Air China Limited
0ctober 6th, 2022

Dear passengers,

Dalian Airlines Co. Ltd (Dalian Airlines) is a subsidiary of Air China. It is a state owned holding company,jointly established by Air China Limitedand Dalian Baoshui Zhengtong Co. Dalian Airlines began operatingon December 31, 2011, and uses the same flight code,"CA", and logo as Air China.

To facilitate your easy selection of flight services operated by Dalian Airlines, we hereby announce that the specific flight will be transported by Dalian airlines since October29, 2023:

Note：Actual flight times may vary according to flight conditions on the day of your Flight. Please reconfirm the actual flight schedule on the day of departure.

Dear passengers,

        Starting from October 31^th 2023, all Air China flights will be arriving at and leaving from Terminal 1 instead of Terminal 2 at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. All Air China check-in counters will be closed 60 minutes before flight departure. Please arrange your traveling plans accordingly. 

        Air China Hotline: 95583

Air China Limited

November 25, 2020