Plan to offer non-stop flights from San Jose to Beijing

SAN JOSE (KGO) -- Up to now, getting from Silicon Valley to Beijing required a road trip to SFO for a non-stop flight, or changing planes once, twice or even three times. Now, an airline is trying to change all that with service from Mineta San Jose International Airport.

Hainan Airlines is expecting to receive approval for the first ever non-stop service between Silicon Valley and Beijing. The 12 hour flight would be offered five days a week beginning in June, if the U.S. Department of Transportation approves the bid.

Mayor Sam Liccardo told the Mercury News if that happens, it could create jobs for hundreds in the hospitality and travel-related industries.

This comes after All Nippon Airways started its own five day a week service from San Jose to Tokyo in 2013 using the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

Hainan Airlines is the largest privately owned airline in China and is also proposing to use the Boeing 787 Dreamliner in its route.