Northwest Airlines today announced that it will begin offering new daily service from Detroit to Guangzhou, China, through its Pacific hub at Tokyo beginning October 31.

The new flight will also provide convenient, daily single-connection service between Guangzhou and seven U.S. gateways served by Northwest including Honolulu, Los Angeles, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York-JFK, Portland, Ore., San Francisco and Seattle.

Guangzhou will be Northwest's 15th destination in its comprehensive Asia/Pacific network, which includes more cities than any other U.S. airline. The flights will operate from the New Baiyun International Airport.  Guangzhou is China's third-largest city and a major center of manufacturing.     On Friday, Northwest received U.S. Department of Transportation approval

Northwest's new flights will offer travelers convenient daily service between Guangzhou and top business and leisure destinations in the United States, said Phil Haan, executive vice president – international, sales and information services. Northwest extends its gratitude to the negotiating teams from the United States Department of State and Department of Transportation, as well as the Chinese government, for their efforts in reaching this historic agreement.

The flight will be operated with a Boeing 747-400 from Northwest's WorldGateway hub at Detroit to Tokyo, with 65 seats in World Business Class and 338 seats in coach class.  From Tokyo to Guangzhou, the flight will be operated with a 757-200, with 20 seats in World Business Class and 162 seats in coach class. Currently, Northwest offers daily flights from its Tokyo hub to Shanghai, and six times weekly service to Beijing, in addition to its daily service to Hong Kong.  Northwest has served China since 1947.