With Air China's flight CA949 taking to the sky on June 15, the carrier's direct rotations between Beijing and Milan were introduced to the market. Milan was the third European destination introduced by Air China in 2011 following Dusseldorf, Germany and Athens, Greece. Up to now, Air China operates flights to 13 European cities, which means the carrier serves the largest number of European destinations among Chinese carriers.

One of the most visited metropolises, Milan lays claim to the title of the capital of fashion and design. It attracts visitors with its architecture, fashion, art, painting, opera, football and tourism.

Air China offers its three weekly Beijing-Milan flights, CA949/950, with A330. The flight time is 11 hours and 30 minutes. The outbound flight leaves Beijing at 13:30 and arrives in Milan at 19:00 local time; the inbound flight leaves Milan at 21:00 and arrives in Beijing at 13:30 local time on the following day.