Delta Air Lines announced on Monday that it would soon be resuming flights between the U.S. and China, making it the first airline in the U.S. to do so. The flights will go between Seattle and Shanghai and will begin on June 25, running twice a week to start and moving to once a week in July.

The announcement comes after the U.S. Transportation Department eased restrictions on flights between the two countries last week. Per the department’s ruling, four flights a week are allowed between the U.S. and China. China attempted to request more flights on Friday, but was denied.

While no other airlines have moved to resume flights between the two economic giants, United Airlines has confirmed that it is looking into the possibility.

Recently, Delta was also among the airlines that opted to stop serving alcoholic beverages on flights. This move is aimed to further limit the interactions between crew members and passengers and to lessen the likelihood of “anti-social behavior” on flights.

With masks now required on most flights, the ban on alcohol is also intended to prevent passengers from sipping their drinks for too long. To this end, some airlines have limited their drink options to just water.

Delta added 100 domestic flights in the U.S. in June as it attempts to get its business back up and running.

With much of its fleet idled in the wake of coronavirus shutdowns, Delta announced additional cost-cutting measures
With much of its fleet idled in the wake of coronavirus shutdowns, Delta announced additional cost-cutting measures. GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / JAMIE SQUIRE
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