The "Water Gate" ceremony is held at the OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg to welcome the arrival of first non-stop flight from Beijing, October 30, 2015, Johannesburg, South Africa. By Li Jianguo

Happy passengers arrive on African soil. By Li Jianguo 

At around 8:00 on the morning of October 30, after nearly 15 hours' non-stop flying, Air China's flight CA867 smoothly landed at the OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa, signifying the successful inauguration of the carrier's Beijing-Johannesburg non-stop service. With the opening of the service, Air China has become the first Chinese carrier which has an air route network covering Asia, Europe, North America, South America, Africa and Oceania.

The flight CA867 departs from Beijing on every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday at 23:15 local time and arrives in Johannesburg at 7:35 local time on the following day. The flight CA868 departs from Johannesburg at 11:50 local time and arrives in Beijing at 7:30 local time on the following day. 

Boeing 777-300ER, an aircraft type popular with the world's business travelers is operated on the route. Its first class and business class are outfitted with full-flat seats and a central bar.

Beijing-Johannesburg route is the first air link offered by a Chinese carrier between Chinese mainland and South Africa and it is also the carrier's first air route connecting China with Africa.