American Airlines launches flights to Shanghai, Hong Kong

(Tom Fox/Dallas Morning News)

A golden lion attracts some attention from a little, but curious, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport traveler.

UPDATE, 3 P.M. If you open up a building, bridge or highway by cutting a red ribbon, how do you launch American Airlines’ new flights to Shanghai and Hong Kong?

Well, you cut a ribbon, of course. But you ALSO have gold and red lions to help celebrate the occasion.

American is launching its first flights to China from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport on Wednesday. For that matter, it’s the first nonstop China Shanghai flights from Texas, officials say.

The airport and American had dual ceremonies to mark the new service, first for the Shanghai flight and, after it took off, for the Hong Kong flights.

Afterward, we asked American chairman and CEO Doug Parker how big a gamble the new flights were.

His response: They’re not gambles. They’re investments.

As to a possible DFW-Beijing flight, Parker said there’s nothing on the horizon. One issue is the very unfavorable takeoff and landing slots such a flight would get at the crowded Beijing airport.

(Terry Maxon/Dallas Morning News)

Representatives of American Airlines, DFW Airport, Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price (in yellow) and Chinese officials cut a ribbon to launch the DFW-Shanghai flight.

(Terry Maxon/DMN)

Drummers provide a little mood music for the dancing lions.

(Terry Maxon/Dallas Morning News)

A traditional Chinese lion boogies down the corridor at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport's Terminal D. The creature was helping launch American's service to Shanghai and Hong Kong.