United Airlines Inc, the largest carrier in the China-United States market, will expand into more Chinese cities and keep leading the market in the decades ahead, although many other carriers also covet the market, the airline's president said on Thursday.

"The Chinese market is very profitable and important for us," said Jeff Smisek, president and chief executive officer of United Airlines.

Both foreign and domestic carriers said they believe that the Sino-US market is promising, and they are investing more money on flights linking both countries.