I have a US passport while wife has Malaysia passport. I've heard from travel agents that airlines would not allow us to board the flight from US to KUL if it involves layover in any cities in China (except for HKG). Is it a true statement? We're not planning to leave the airport in at all.

I'm still searching for flights from MCI to KUL (See thread here, not sure which subforum is best for question like this) and I'm discouraged by the travel agents from taking route like MCI-SFO-PVG/PEK-KUL.

Thanks.