From September 1, Air China is adding four additional routes to its upgraded premium-cabin services, "Forbidden Pavilion" First Class and "Capital Pavilion" Business Class. The launch of the premium classes on the additional routes is part of Air China's US$90 million investment in upgrading 15 long-range wide-body aircraft to a full three-class configuration, started in late 2004.

The Beijing-London, Beijing-Madrid-Sao Paulo, Shanghai-Milan-Rome and Shanghai-Paris routes will join five other international routes already upgraded - Beijing-New York, Beijing-Los Angles, Beijing-San Francisco, Beijing-Frankfurt and Shanghai-Frankfurt - and launched earlier, to significant customer approval.

The "Forbidden Pavilion" First Class seat features the private-compartment style of new first class seating with individual partitions for private space and a fully flat in-flight bed that extends to nearly 6 feet 3 inches in length. In the new "Capital Pavilion" Business Class nearly five feet of seat pitch separate 21-inch wide seats that extend and recline 170 degrees.

Each seat in both premium class cabins is equipped with a multi-system power socket providing standard AC power for laptops or other electronic accessories, and passengers can also enjoy 60 DVD films, 98 music CDs, and various electronic games on 10.5-inch personal TV sets.

Air China has also made similar improvements in other premium class services, such as free pick up service, transfer guide service, free hotel accommodation, airport guide service, gourmet onboard food and mileage reward bonuses.