A Chinese airline has begun offering the first nonstop service from Boston to Beijing.
Flight 481 touched down at Logan International Airport on Friday, becoming the first direct service ever linking Boston and mainland China — and shaving about six hours off of current travel between the two cities. Flight 482 left the Massachusetts capital later Friday and was scheduled to arrive in Beijing Saturday evening.
The Massachusetts Port Authority says the route will meet the strong demand for travel between Beijing and Boston's tourism attractions, higher education institution as well as health care, finance and the biotechnology industries.