United Airlines Wins Right To Fly to China From Dulles

But American was unable to resolve a contract dispute with its pilots over duty hours and sought to amend its application to allow a stop in Chicago on the way to the Chinese capital. It eventually withdrew from the competition.

Northwest and its supporters said it would link more cities than its competitors through Detroit. The Wayne County Airport Authority said that a flight would feed demand in China for the area's expertise in building cars and other products.

Continental stressed that its flight would link two huge metropolitan areas: New York and Shanghai, the business center of China. The airline and its supporters also noted that the New York area has the largest Chinese population in the United States.

But the Transportation Department said United presented a stronger application because it would tap a growing market that did not have a direct flight to China. Using a Boeing 747, United will also offer more daily seats than its competitors would have on their flights, the department said.

More than 90,000 people traveled between China and Washington in the 12 months before March 2006, the department said.

It also noted that United has a deal with Air China that would boost service to 16 Chinese cities beyond Beijing.

The company and its supporters highlighted the symbolism of linking the two nations' capitals for the first time. The route would also benefit government officials seeking to visit counterparts in Beijing, analysts noted.

"Keep in mind that some people in Washington are selfish and this would provide better government travel between Washington and Beijing," said Michael Miller, an airline analyst with the Velocity Group. "With all of the support that United received in the Washington area, it obviously swayed politicians to push for this."