SHANGHAI—Chinese airlines are capitalizing on the wanderlust of China’s rising middle class by expanding their long-haul routes, and at a pace that is fast upending the hierarchy of global aviation.

Since September, Chinese carriers have added seven direct flights to North America—including routes from second-tier cities less known abroad including Zhengzhou, Qingdao and Xiamen. By comparison, U.S. carriers launched just two China routes in all of 2016.

Sichuan...