United Airlines is planning a major network expansion from the USA to Australia and New Zealand.
United Airlines Boeing 787-9 – Image, Economy Class and Beyond
First up is a new route between San Francisco and Christchurch set to commence on 1st December 2023. United will be the only airline to offer direct flights between the U.S. and New Zealand’s South Island, with the first direct San Francisco–Christchurch service.
United will fly this route three times weekly on a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.
Next is the Los Angeles – Auckland route, which will gain a four-times-a-week service. United will fly its Los Angeles–Auckland route on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, starting 28 October 28.
Crossing over to Austraila the Los Angeles – Brisbane route, which will supplement the Brisbane – San Francisco operation. United Airlines will add a three-times-a-week service from 29th November, utilising a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.
In addition to adding new flights to its schedule, United will also increase its flying from San Francisco to Brisbane and Sydney. Starting 28th October, United will offer daily flights between San Francisco and Brisbane on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner and will be able to fly nearly triple the number of customers to Brisbane from the US next winter than it did in 2022.
The airline will also fly twice daily between San Francisco and Sydney using Boeing 777-300ERs starting 28th October, whilst Melbourne will gain a Boeing 777-300ER on its route.
In total, United Airlines will offer 66 flights between the US and Australia/New Zealand every week, with onward connective via Star Alliance partner and Virgin Australia.
In Quotes
Patrick Quayle, Senior Vice President of Global Network Planning and Alliances
“This past winter, United enhanced our network and became the largest carrier to the South Pacific region. Now, this upcoming winter, we will expand even further,” said
. “Our strong partnerships with Air New Zealand and Virgin Australia provide unparalleled connectivity, and with our historic expansion across five destinations in New Zealand and Australia, United is the clear choice for customers’ travel to the region.”
Hopes for a strong Southern Winter
It’s an interesting play by United Airlines, which is dropping a lot of capacity in the region as the season change, hoping to attract passengers and freight for these routes. Given that we are still in a travel rebound, with people wanting to leave their lands and explore again, it is the perfect time for some route preparation
With demand appearing to be strong in the region it is logical for airlines to make hay, whilst the southern winter sun shines.
The bigger question is how sustainable these new routes are, and how they will be managed in the Northern Spring/Summer 2024 timetable.
Because planning for that will not be far from any route planner’s mind to see what is commercially viable for next year.
And you can bet that United partners and competitors will be working through the route list carefully and seeing which routes they could compete on.
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