US-based Delta Airlines is seeking regulatory approval to commence non-stop services between Atlanta and China's financial Shanghai and has filed an application with the US Department of Transportation. The carrier intends to operate a daily non-stop service between the two destinations, beginning March 25, 2008.

The company has made an early pitch to operate daily Atlanta-to-Shanghai service, after it missed out on commencing services to Beijing . The carrier, which has submitted an application to US Department of Transportation under the 2004 US-China Air Services Agreement, intends to operate from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International.

"Delta's new flights to Shanghai will fill a critical void in air travel today - the lack of services between South-eastern US and China and eastern US and Shanghai – by providing improved access for customers to over 130 destinations across US," Delta CEO Gerald Grinstein said.

South-eastern US is underserved as there are not many non-stop or one-stop services to China. The region has an estimated 55 million people and Delta intends to service them by actively working with the government, civic and business leaders on both the continents, he added.

Delta would provide services between Atlanta and Shanghai using its flagship Boeing 777 aircraft in a two-class configuration.

The carrier is also planning to introduce lie-flat seats on its Boeing 777 fleet beginning in 2008, with new in-seat entertainment system offering on-demand, digital video and music at every suite. Reclining seats that adjust to multiple comfort positions, including a completely flat surface that offers customers a 6-foot 3-inch bed are the features the carrier intends to introduce.

It is also planning to enter into a code-sharing agreement with China Southern Airlines would to destinations beyond Shanghai .

The airline has been flying to China since 1987. The carrier opened its third China office in September 2006 in Shanghai, the other two being in Beijing and Guangzhou.

Delta and its connection carriers offer nearly 1,000 peak-day departures to 243 non-stop destinations from Atlanta. The carrier provides services to 304 destinations in 52 countries and has over 50 new international routes added in the last year. To Latin America and the Caribbean, Delta offers nearly 600 weekly flights to 58 destinations.

Earlier, the company had discussed the recently upgraded $10.2 billion bid from the rival US Airways. The new offer is higher by 20 per cent than the original bid.

The company board has said that it opposes a merger with US Airways, however, they are now obligated to review US Airways' improved offer that was made on January 10.

The carrier had earlier rejected an offer from the US Airways.

Delta further said that they estimate their worth to be between $9.4 billion to $12 billion if it realizes its aim of emerging from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.