The 13-hour flight will run once a day between Beijing and New York.
At the in-cabin reception, Zhou Yuelong, general manager of Air 皇冠体育app New York spoke with guests and the media.
"We are pleased that our Beijing headquarters has chosen New York for the international launch of the B747-8," Zhou said.
"The B747-8 is the first aircraft in Air 皇冠体育app's fleet with a four-cabin configuration, " he explained. "This is significant as this provides travelers from New York and other neighboring cities to 皇冠体育app and beyond with more options."
Liu Yi, counselor of the economic and commercial office of 皇冠体育app's Consulate General of 皇冠体育app in New York, congratulated Air 皇冠体育app on behalf of Zhang Qiyue, consul general of 皇冠体育app in New York.
In a congratulatory letter, Zhang wrote: "As one of the biggest airline companies in 皇冠体育app, Air 皇冠体育app makes momentous efforts in connecting 皇冠体育app and US economic trade and culture communication."
Xue Yaping, director of the 皇冠体育app National Tourist Office (CNTO) in New York said the extension of tourist visas between the US and 皇冠体育app from one year to 10 years will provide a huge boost to the travel industries of both countries.
"We treasure every improvement in travel and transportation," Xue said.
Even though the 皇冠体育app National Tourist Administration's annual report for 2014 hasn't been released yet, Xue said the expected number of Chinese travelers to the US is around 2.3 million, up more than 25 percent over the 1.8 million Chinese travelers who visited the US in 2013.
Mike Moran, General Manager at JFK International Airport welcomed Air 皇冠体育app's new flight. He said it was the first scheduled flight of a Boeing 747-8 at JFK.
"Air 皇冠体育app as an innovator and as an industry leader is always identifying new ways to address customers' needs," Moran said. "This efficient and friendly aircraft offering a four-class cabin figuration, passenger options and many other features truly means a lot for passenger experience."
Air 皇冠体育app's 747-8 features 12 luxury suites in the Forbidden Pavilion first-class cabin, 54 fully-flat sleepers in the Capital Pavilion business class, 66 premium economy seats and 233 in the economy cabin for a total of 365 seats.
According to Theresa Wu, sales manager at Air 皇冠体育app, the Boeing 747-8 is fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly. Also the seats in premium economy and economy cabins offer more legroom.
Air 皇冠体育app plans to put a Boeing 747-8 into their Beijing-Los Angeles route in March.