Air China's first Boeing 747-8, Registration B-2485, departed from Beijing and then landed at Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport on Oct 28.

It marks that Air China (CA) has started to operate its Boeing 747-8 on the route between Beijing and Shanghai, with the airliner touching down at Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA). The aircraft was welcomed with a water cannon salute.

Flight CA1501 is scheduled to depart Beijing Capital International Airport (BCIA) at 8:30 a.m. and arrive at Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport at 10:40 a.m., with the return flight CA1502 scheduled to take off from Shanghai at 11:50 a.m. and land in Beijing at 2:10 p.m., according to VeryZhun, China's leading flight status service provider.

Air China currently operates a daily 747-8 Beijing-Shanghai service and will increase an additional 747-8 service on the route, starting Nov. 7th. Additionally, it is the first Chinese operator of the 747-8, which is 76.4 meters long, around 5.6 meters longer than the 747-400. The aircraft has a range of 14,815 kilometers.

Air China now has seven 747-8s on order and is expected to receive three by the end of 2014, with the remaining delivered through 2016.

The airline configures its 747-8 with 365 seats in four classes, including 12 in first class, 54 in business class, 66 in premium economy class and 233 in economy class.

The Boeing 747-8 is a new airplane with new engines, new wings and a dramatically enhanced passenger experience. The airline said it expects the new, fuel-efficient 747-8 to deliver exceptional economics and a great flying experience to its customers.