The nation's second-largest carrier said it received final approval from the Department of Transportation, giving United a route coveted by executives and government officials and thought to be worth over $200 million a year. Flights between Washington Dulles International Airport and Beijing Capital International Airport are scheduled to start March 28.

The government last month tentatively gave United permission to start direct service to China. United beat out American Airlines, which sought to fly between Dallas/Fort Worth and Beijing; Continental Airlines, which applied for service between Newark, N.J., and Shanghai; and Northwest Airlines, which applied for Detroit-Shanghai service.

"We look forward to providing our customers another gateway to China and more opportunities to travel to the Olympic Games in Beijing next year," said Dennis Cary, United's senior vice president of marketing.

Subject to Chinese government approval, United plans one round-trip flight per day.