With the Boeing 787-9 formally certified for service, airlines are looking at where to deploy this new aircraft.
United Airlines have already stated their intent to operate it from Los Angeles to Melbourne as their first route with this aircraft. Their second route will take the aircraft from Los Angeles to Shanghai Pudong airport.
United 787-9 rolling out of the paint shop – Image, United Airline
The route switch-over will be made next year – which is currently rostered for a 787-8.
The planned operations are below:
UA198 DEPART LAX 13:10 ARRIVE PVG 17:45+1 UA199 DEPART PVG 20:25 ARRIVE LAX 17:00 Equipment varies on 787 family and day of operation. See below. Data: AirlineRoute
From 5th March 2015 to 7th May 2015, a Boeing 787-9 Booked to operate Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday on UA198, whilst UA199 will operate the aircraft on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday. At other times, Boeing 787-8 will operate.
From 8th May, operations will switch over totally to a 787-9.
For United passengers, this could be a nice benefit, with a larger plane and more seats operating the two destinations.
Of course, those on bargain tickets who are hoping to squeeze as many miles out of the ticket as possible will be looking elsewhere – with the move to the revenue based frequent spender programme United is hell bend on introducing….