New Flights from Montreal and Tel Aviv, and Bring Your Own Food on the Plane

Apologies if you were expecting to see my magic seating arrangement to gain yourself as much space during a long-haul flight. I'll have that for you on Tuesday. We'll blame jet lag this time.

Residents of Quebec will rejoice with the news that non-stop flights to Montreal have finally arrived. Hainan Airlines will start flying from Beijing to Montreal and back on June 1, with Air China following on September 28. This makes me wonder if the trip I've wanted to make to Halifax for a year now will finally be convenient, and more importantly, affordable. In any case, just as residents of Boston and the rest of New England were liberated from connections in Toronto, Chicago, or New York earlier this year, when Hainan Airlines began direct service, so too will be the residents of Montreal.

China's most aggressive airline won't just be satisfied with French Canada either. Hainan Airlines (again) will begin non-stop service to Tel Aviv in Israel, starting in September. El Al already flies the route, but Hainan would become China's first airline to have service there.

I'm sticking by the Talking Travel golden rule and Anthony Bourdain recommendation to bring your own food on long-haul plane flights. On Wednesday, I enjoyed a Chipotle burrito as I gazed out the window at the Golden Gate Bridge (above). It was a fine repast. I passed on the final meal of the trip, and went straight for ma la xiang guo upon arrival. It's the way to travel.

One road flat safe.

Photo: the Beijinger/Steven Schwankert