A new direct flight between Las Vegas and Beijing was launched on Friday, linking the "entertainment capital of the world" with the Chinese mainland for the first time.

The service will be operated by Hainan Airlines, employing a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner jet. It will make the trip three times a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

The flights depart McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas at 1:10 pm Pacific time and arrive at Beijing Capital International Airport at 6:10 pm the subsequent day.