American Airlines has been selected for new daily scheduled Los Angeles – Beijing flights by the US Department of Transportation (DOT).

Both American and Delta Air Lines had submitted applications for the nonstop flights and the DOT chose the former, as it would add a third US carrier to the West Coast – Beijing market, following Delta’s service from Seattle and United Airlines from San Francisco.

The US – China aviation agreement caps the number of weekly frequencies that each country’s airlines can operate to primary Chinese cities including Beijing and Shanghai.

Four US airlines, American, Delta, Hawaiian and United have already been allocated nearly all of the frequencies available to the US.

The decision is up for final review, with objections due by 22 November and interested parties may file answers to objections by 29 November.