Best new direct flights out of Shanghai

Though Shanghai still lags behind Beijing and Guangzhou in terms of air traffic, a number of airlines are adding new direct routes to help ease residents' travel pangs. Here are some of the latest:

Route: Shanghai Pudong to Copenhagen Kastrup

Carrier: SAS

What it means: SAS dumped their direct service to Shanghai in 2009, stressing out their fan base here and adding pressure to the Beijing fleet. That’ll change this spring when the airline starts flying five times weekly from Pudong.

“We see a greater potential of northern travel from Shanghai,” says Lars Oloffson, SAS’s general manager for Greater China. “And we’ll be able to free up capacity out of Beijing, so it’s a win-win situation.”

Why we’re excited: In-flight Internet on the world’s most punctual airline.

Route: Shanghai Pudong to Rome Fiumincino

Carrier: China Eastern

What it means: Now that it’s joined SkyTeam -- the air alliance that includes Air France and KLM -- China Eastern will partner with Alitalia into the Italian capital.

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“We haven’t released any flights yet, but we will be opening the route in spring 2011,” says Ms Jiang, an airline spokesman.

That’ll mean easier entry for tourists on both continents. Last year more than a million passengers had to connect through Hong Kong or the Middle East. 

Why we’re excited: We’ve prayed, loved, and with Italy now as an option, we're ready to eat.

Shanghai Pudong to Atlanta Hartsfield

Carrier: Delta Air Lines

What it means: China is the only hope for some struggling airlines, particularly Delta, which closed its Shanghai route in 2009 during the financial meltdown. Since then it’s seen a 50 percent growth in its Asia business, so starting in June it’ll give Pudong another try with a new twice-weekly service. 

Why we’re excited: Hartsfield is the world’s busiest airport. Pudong may soon be the second. We’re ready for a face-off.

(Click "NEXT" to see more of Shanghai's new direct flights.)