Northwest Airlines will launch two daily non-stop services between China and the United States next March to expand its trans-Pacific service.

The United States airline will use a Boeing 747 on the Shanghai-Detroit route from March 28, the airline announced on May 9.

"Non-stop services to Northwest's World Gateway hub at Detroit offers the ability to connect to the entire eastern half of the United States, with convenient direct routing, and a new, state-of-the-art terminal facility," said Brian Swain, managing director of Northwest Asia.

The airline will fly from Beijing to Seattle on March 1 with an Airbus A330 aircraft. Beijing will become the airline's fourth non-stop international point from Seattle.

"With nearly half of Chinese visitors to North America traveling to the west US, this service offers convenient access for them," said Swain.

"These new direct China routes are great news for customers, both business and leisure travelers," said Swain.

Passengers can book tickets for the two flights on the airline's Website.

Airlines are keen to run more direct flights between the two countries to meet demands of the Beijing Olympic Games and the 2010 Shanghai World Expo.

China and the US plan to operate 16 more direct flights between the two nations by the end of next year.