• Home
  • Reviews
    • Flight Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Lounge Reviews
    • Trip Reports
  • About
    • Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Award Expert
  • Advertising Disclosure
Live and Let's Fly
  • Home
  • Reviews
    • Flight Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Lounge Reviews
    • Trip Reports
  • About
    • Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Award Expert
  • Advertising Disclosure
Home  >  United Airlines  >  United Airlines’ Taipei Flight Now Makes Technical Stop In Guam
United Airlines

United Airlines’ Taipei Flight Now Makes Technical Stop In Guam

Matthew Klint Posted onMay 6, 2021May 6, 2021 19 Comments

United Airlines’ service between San Francisco and Taipei is no longer nonstop, with a new technical stop and crew change in Guam. United attributes the stop to “irregular operations” but the object is likely to avoid uncomfortable quarantine hotels for crewmembers.

In This Post:
  • Taiwan Takes COVID-19 Very Seriously
  • United Airlines’ Taipei Flight Now Makes Technical Stop In Guam
  • A New San Francisco – Guam Flight?
  • CONCLUSION

Taiwan Takes COVID-19 Very Seriously

The Republic of China, also known as Taiwan, has fared extremely well against the pandemic. It has reported only 1,153 cases and 12 deaths since the pandemic started (the USA, which has a population roughly 15X the size of Taiwan, has reported 28,000X the times the number of cases and over 48,000X the number of deaths).

One reason it has been successful is through an extremely accurate contact tracing system that has effectively isolated those who have contracted the virus from the wider population. Airline crews have presented a unique risk, with special rules for flight crews of Taiwanese airlines.

Another reason is trust: people are trusted to act rightly by self-isolating and in most cases do. Last week, a pair of China Airlines pilots visited a bar when they were supposed to be observing self-isolation. They had flown to the United States and back and their initial COVID-19 test was negative. But five days later they started to feel bad and tested positive.

As Paddle Your Own Kanoo noted, this matter was so serious nearly all of the ~700 members of China Airlines’ operational flight crew were required to take fresh COVID-19 tests (by the way, the pilots were fined $5,000 each and may lose their jobs).

United Airlines’ Taipei Flight Now Makes Technical Stop In Guam

While there has been no public announcement yet, perhaps stricter flight crew restrictions on the part of Taiwanese authorities has prompted United to make a temporary change to its UA871/872 service between San Francisco and Taipei.

Effective immediately, United Airlines is adding a “technical stop” in Guam (GUM) between San Francisco (SFO) and Taipei (TPE). In Guam, the aircraft will be refueled and a crew change will take place.

Crews have been advised to wait onboard until their replacement crew arrives if there are passengers onboard (oddly, United has pulled this flight for sale through end of schedule).

In Taipei, crews will be escorted to a waiting room near the jet bridge, but not even enter the terminal. No pre-departure test will be necessary since the crew will not actually enter Taiwan. The crew will operate GUM-TPE-GUM.

A source tells Live and Let’s Fly that the issue is related to the hotel United uses to house crews. It was recently shut down for 14 days after a pilot tested positive. Thus far, United has not been able to source another crew hotel that meets the requirements of the Air Line Pilots Association, the union representing pilots at United Airlines. Until a suitable hotel has been found, crews will continue to make immediate turns in Taipei. Note that it will not be Guam-based crews that operate the GUM-TPE-GUM segments.

A New San Francisco – Guam Flight?

Even though UA871/872 will be stopping in Guam, this will not be marketed as a separate flight. In fact, United employees have been advised they cannot even get off in Guam unless they are part of the crew change.

This likely has something to do with U.S. immigration, but it seems a shame that United will now operate a daily SFO-GUM flight and no passenger will be able to take advantage of it.

CONCLUSION

United is adding a technical stop in Guam on its flight between San Francisco and Taipei. While United only attributes the change to “irregular operations” it seems likely linked to the latest crew scandal and the problems related to the international crew quarantine hotel in Taipei.

image: United Airlines

Previous Article Saunas + Steam Rooms Re-Open In Los Angeles County!
Next Article United Airlines Flight Awards Starting At 4,000 Miles One-Way

About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

Related Posts

  • United Airlines Adds Château d’Esclans Rosé Wine To Polaris Business Class

    March 23, 2023
  • United Airlines 737-700 Business Class Review

    Review: United Airlines 737-700 Business Class

    March 22, 2023
  • Kayleigh Scott United Airlines

    The Tragic Death Of A United Airlines Flight Attendant

    March 21, 2023

19 Comments

  1. Leo Guam Reply
    May 6, 2021 at 7:13 am

    UA’s been using GUM as a tech stop for cargo flights to SIN, TPE, China, etc. So this is the first time GUM is used as a tech stop for passenger flights during COVID.

    Wishful thinking, but maybe it’s UA dry running a possible GUM-SFO route. It would make more sense to have the tech stop in ICN like for the China passenger flights since the routing is shorter.

  2. Blondie Reply
    May 6, 2021 at 10:32 am

    Never miss an opportunity to take a “swipe” at United when you can compose an article on your personal blog based on assumptions, which are easier to gather than facts.

    The “quarantine” hotel in TPE where all international airline crews have been confined and quarantined during layover had employees who tested positive for COVID. There has been suspicion that a COVID positive Indonesian pilot was the source, I am unsure whether or not it has been confirmed, and it is neither here nor there at this point.

    That hotel has been closed for at least 14 days for sanitation purposes.

    When it re-opens, it has been reported that it will only house China Airline layover crews and one other Asian airline which I cannot remember who it is. Not sure how long this plan will be in effect, things tend to change daily.

    UA re-routing SFO-TPE through GUM makes sense, as GUM based crews can work the TPE portion and “turn” to another destination to layover. Regardless of whether or not many passengers are onboard, the much need supplies in cargo must still move.

    I commend UA for attemtping to find solutions to new issues that seem to arise daily due to the pandemic.

    Facts are widely available if one chooses to search for them, but facts do not tend to make for great blog headline grabbers.

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      May 6, 2021 at 10:41 am

      Are you for real? There is no swipe at United in this story…

  3. Airbus747 Reply
    May 6, 2021 at 11:52 am

    Do we know how long this change will be in effect for? I’m booked on 871 in late June, and United.com is still showing nonstop SFO-TPE.

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      May 6, 2021 at 11:53 am

      I’m told it could be for as little as 14 days.

  4. HkCaGu Reply
    May 6, 2021 at 1:56 pm

    I wonder if GUM-based FAs can operate GUM-TPE-GUM. They don’t usually operate 773s, but then they can be trained in no time since many 773s have GUM layovers and fly cargo-only in and out of GUM. And there aren’t many customers to serve anyway. Another thing is Mandarin speakers. GUM has had no Chinese speaker base for a long time but there may be speakers among the GUM base to be found.

    Despite being a US territory, GUM is outside of US customs zone so it will be messy for API filing and other issues if they let any non-operating crew get on or off.

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      May 6, 2021 at 8:43 pm

      GUM-based FAs can operate a 777, though I do believe the 777s that used to operate between HNL-GUM were operated by HNL-based crews and GUM-NRT 777 flights were operated by NRT-based crews.

  5. P Liu Reply
    May 6, 2021 at 2:06 pm

    I’ve booked a Tuesday June SFO-TPE flight. The UA official booking web site shows all Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday flights are not available, while as I called UA, their travel agent told me there will still be daily direct flight SFO-TPE in June. Which information source should I rely on?

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      May 6, 2021 at 2:09 pm

      I noticed that too. It’s a SHARES glitch (UA’s internal system). It should be fixed soon. The flight will continue to operate daily.

  6. Andrew Reply
    May 6, 2021 at 2:55 pm

    I am not feeling optimistic that this technical stop could last as little as 14 days as per local media reports, the TPE Novotel will not accept foreign air crews even after reopening. So they will need to arrange a suitable hotel elsewhere, or I guess continue the tech stop.

    I have flights booked from SFO to TPE on UA on May 25, so it will probably affect me unfortunately (with the stop in Guam I will arrive on May 27 AM instead of May 26 PM – with the current Taiwan quarantine measures the entire May 27 AM day will be lost as the day you arrive is not counted towards the mandatory 14 day quarantine! Also this flights takes off May 25 AM instead of May 25 PM = total 1.5 days lost in this technical stop)

  7. Christian Reply
    May 6, 2021 at 8:36 pm

    A real pity that passengers can’t make Guam their destination or stopover point. Finding business class award space for cheap with Turkish miles would really present some great value.

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      May 6, 2021 at 8:41 pm

      For sure! That would have been incredible.

  8. Andy K Reply
    May 7, 2021 at 12:45 pm

    This is fascinating — all for a hotel. I can’t believe that they can’t find a hotel in Taipei, yet they won’t have a problem housing crew in Guam??!!

    The ALPA is out of their mind — powerful union. Go figure.

  9. Chih-hsin Reply
    May 20, 2021 at 7:51 am

    I’ve noticed that some recent UA872 flights have even been cancelled. I’m booked to fly TPE to SFO on May 29, do you have any info as to whether or not this flight will be cancelled??

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      May 20, 2021 at 10:10 am

      Likely cancelled. TPE is not even allowing transit passengers any longer.

  10. Chin-hsin Reply
    May 21, 2021 at 4:47 am

    This is what I initially thought as well, but take a look at flights UA3018 and UA3019. Is it a possibility that I’ll still be able to fly? Many thanks.

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      May 21, 2021 at 11:48 am

      It looks like cargo flights will continue regardless. Hopefully you will still be permitted to fly. But I think at this point we can only wait and see.

  11. joelfreak Reply
    May 21, 2021 at 4:41 pm

    Come on UA, GUM is in the US, and people are looking for domestic places to visit. SFO-GUM would actually get some use. Open it up! 😛

  12. Pingback: 聊一聊疫情下那些经停航班 - 美国信用卡指南

Leave a Reply

Cancel reply

Search

Recent Posts

  • United Airlines Adds Château d’Esclans Rosé Wine To Polaris Business Class March 23, 2023
  • United Airlines 737-700 Business Class Review
    Review: United Airlines 737-700 Business Class March 22, 2023
  • Southwest Airlines Helicopter
    Southwest Airlines Flight Nearly Collides With Helicopter March 22, 2023
  • Copa Club Bogota Review
    Review: Copa Club Bogota (BOG) March 22, 2023

Categories

Popular Posts

  • American Airlines unaccompanied Minor Predator
    American Airlines Flight Attendant Freaks Out After Man Offers His First Class Seat To Child February 25, 2023
  • Kayleigh Scott United Airlines
    The Tragic Death Of A United Airlines Flight Attendant March 21, 2023
  • United Airlines Domestic First Class Menu
    United Airlines Refreshes Domestic First Class Menu February 28, 2023
  • Southwest Airlines Wife Slap
    Enraged Husband Attacks Man On Southwest Airlines Flight After He Bumps Wife March 8, 2023

Archives

March 2023
M T W T F S S
 12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
2728293031  
« Feb    

As seen on:

live_and_lets_fly

The new United Polaris Lounge at Washington Dulles The new United Polaris Lounge at Washington Dulles is the most beautiful of all Polaris Lounges. Stay tuned for a detailed look and many more photos on the blog tomorrow. Well done @united.
@malaysiaairlines just announced it would retire i @malaysiaairlines just announced it would retire its A380 fleet. While not surprising, it is sad to see the growing list of carriers retiring this superjumbo jet. On Malaysia Airlines, I flew the #A380 once from Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to London (LHR) and had the entire first class cabin to myself (full review on the blog). It was a beautiful flight that I will always remember.
Welcome to @fly_bur @aveloair! I am so excited tha Welcome to @fly_bur @aveloair! I am so excited that a new carrier, Avelo, has launched, especially from an airport just 12 minutes from my home!
I greatly miss the @lufthansa #747-8 at @flylaxair I greatly miss the @lufthansa #747-8 at @flylaxairport. Hopefully this summer it will return.

.
.
.
.
#Lufthansa #FirstClass #747 #747-8 #StarAlliance #Miles #Points
I recently spent a weekend at the @ventanabigsur. I recently spent a weekend at the @ventanabigsur. This is not only a lovely, all-inclusive resort, but one of the best properties to use your @hyatt World of Hyatt points.
.
.
.
.
#Hyatt #BigSur #California #WorldofHyatt #CA-1 #Points #Hotels
In terms of a spacious first class product, the @E In terms of a spacious first class product, the @Emirates suite on a 777-300ER is hard to beat. My preference is Suite 2K.

.
.
.
.
#Emirates #777 #firstclass
Nearly five years ago, I took a “break” from I Nearly five years ago, I took a “break” from Instagram ahead of the birth of my first child. Goodness, how time flies. While I’ve enjoyed catching up on others over the years, now it is time for me to return to Instagram. In this first post, I highlight two joys in my life, my two children, whom I trust will grow up to be prolific travelers that circumnavigate the globe as ambassadors of love and respect.

.
.
.
.
.

#travel #airplanes #airlines #miles #points #familytravel #human #integrity #honor
United Airlines' new Polaris seat is a huge improv United Airlines' new Polaris seat is a huge improvement over UA's current business class seat. Check out my blog at liveandletsfly.com for 70+ photos of how @united is transforming its entire business class experience starting this December!
The perfect @flysas name tag for #Longyearben! The perfect @flysas name tag for #Longyearben!
Spotted four #polarbear outside of #longyearbyen - Spotted four #polarbear outside of #longyearbyen -- oh, and I love 40°F summer weather!
One of the best crews I have ever had the pleasure One of the best crews I have ever had the pleasure of flying with in all my years of flying. Thank you @flysas SK940 on 11 Aug 2016
Next stop ARN! But dear @flysas , next time if I a Next stop ARN! But dear @flysas , next time if I assign a window seat months in advance, don't move me to a center seat "for my convenience" with no way to get my original seat back... 😞
Ready for #PIA from #MAN to #JFK -- we will be rac Ready for #PIA from #MAN to #JFK -- we will be racing the #Delta flight to JFK at the gate next to us, which also departs at 12:45p. With @onemileatatime
Another room with a beautiful view... #hyattregenc Another room with a beautiful view... #hyattregencycasablanca #cassablanca #hyatt
Enjoying #shanghai with @onemileatatime from the i Enjoying #shanghai with @onemileatatime from the inside of the @grandhyatt_shanghai ... It is 40°C outside! 😓
From my front gate to my boarding gate in 15 minut From my front gate to my boarding gate in 15 minutes flat. I ❤️ #bur #burbankairport
@malaysiaairlines #747 out of retirement and in se @malaysiaairlines #747 out of retirement and in service at #kul -- beautiful livery!
View from my 61st floor room at the beautiful bran View from my 61st floor room at the beautiful brand new @parkhyattguangzhou -- look for a full review coming soon on the blog #hyatt #parkhyatt #guangzhou #parkhyattguangzhou
Will miss the @united #globalfirstlounge at #ord, Will miss the @united #globalfirstlounge at #ord, which closes tomorrow and the Queen of the Skies #747 which will be retired in 2018.
The colonial #architecture of #mumbai is stunning. The colonial #architecture of #mumbai is stunning. If you're ever here, get up at 5am and have a walk around the city before it gets busy. You can hear the birds instead of honking horns.
Load More... Follow on Instagram
facebook twitter instagram rss

This site is for entertainment purposes only. The owner of this site is not an investment advisor, financial planner, nor legal or tax professional and articles here are of an opinion and general nature and should not be relied upon for individual circumstances.

 

Advertiser Disclosure: Some links to credit cards and other products on this website will earn an affiliate commission. Outside of banner ads published through the Boarding Area network, this compensation does not impact how and where products appear on this site. While we do try to list all the best miles and points deals, the site does not include all card companies or credit card offers available in the marketplace. Please view our advertising policy page for additional details about our partners.

 

Editorial Disclosure: The editorial content on this page is not provided by any entity mentioned herein. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.