United Airlines is building up its network in the South Pacific with a trio of new routes, including the first-ever nonstop flight from California to New Zealand’s South Island and new routes to Australia and New Zealand from Los Angeles.
United Airlines Adds Nonstop Flight From San Francisco to Christchurch, New Zealand
For the time-ever, we will see nonstop service between San Francisco (SFO) and Christchurch (CHC) on New Zealand’s beautiful South Island.
On December 1, 2023 United will launch 3x weekly service to Christchurch utilizing a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.
United Airlines Adds Nonstop Flight From Los Angeles To Auckland
On October 28, 2023 United will launch 4x weekly service between Los Angeles (LAX) and Auckland (AKL) utilizing a a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. The new service will be seasonal and in conjunction wtih Air New Zealand, with whom United has a joint venture relationship.
United Airlines Adds Nonstop Flight From Los Angeles To Brisbane
On November 29, 2023, United will 3x weekly service Los Angeles – Brisbane (BNE) flights on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, thereby eclipsing Qantas as the largest between the USA and Brisbane. Qantas also serves the LAX-BNE route with an Airbus A330.
United Airlines’ Historic South Pacific Expansion
Beyond the three new routes, United has announced upguages to a pair of routes from San Francisco:
- Brisbane will go from 3x weekly to daily using a 787-9 this winter, starting on October 28, 2023
- Sydney will go double daily on a Boeing 777-300ER starting on October 28, 2023
- Melbourne will be upguaged to a 777-300ER, adding 100 daily seats, also starting on October 28, 2023
Already, United Airlines flies to more destinations in Australia and Pacific than all other US carriers combined. With the latest expansion, United will offer 66 flights per week between the USA and Australia/New Zealand, representing a 40% increase versus the 2022 northern winter.
Strong demand to the South Pacific coupled with a close relationship with Virgin Australia and Air New Zealand have made these routes possible according to United’s mastermind of route planning, Patrick Quayle.
“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.”
Quayle, who is United’s Senior Vice President of Global Network Planning and Alliances, has had a tenure at United marked by bold international route expansion.
CONCLUSION
United’s South Pacific expansion is exciting and I am particularly thrilled about the two new longhaul routes from my home airport of LAX. This expansion in Australia and New Zealand demonstrates the culmination of years of effort building relationships with Air New Zealand and Virgin Australia.
Tickets will be on sale later today.
You write” United Airlines is building up its network in the South Pacific with a trio of new routes, including the first-ever nonstop flight from California to New Zealand’s South Island and two new routes to Australia from Los Angeles.”
I count one new route from Los Angeles to New Zealand, and one to Australia. What is the second route to Australia?
Either way, thanks for being the first to report this!
I clarified that – thank you for flagging it.
This is very exciting. Oz and NZ are notoriously the absolute worst markets in the world to find redemptions from the U.S. This opens more potential possibilities. As well, might begin to ease the outrageous premium fares just a bit.
Christchurch is a really welcome addition. Most visiting NZ prefer to just head straight to the South Island and this avoids transfers and stopovers in AKL.
Now if UA would PLEASE add VIE to the mix from Dulles.
Speaking of VIE, Austrian parliament walked out on Zelensky
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cqawg14gO_6/
Wow – what an impressive schedule this is to Oceania. LAX hadn’t had a new long haul city added since 2014 with MEL, and now we are getting 2 more!
Matthew mentioned LAX-AKL is seasonal, is LAX-BNE seasonal as well?
Yes, all three new routes are seasonal at this time.
This is great news for travelers who want to explore the South Pacific region. United is showing its commitment to offering more choices and convenience for its customers. I’m impressed by the number of new routes and frequencies that United is launching, especially the non-stop service to Christchurch and Brisbane from Los Angeles. These are destinations that I have always wanted to visit. I hope United will continue to grow its presence at LAX and provide more opportunities for connecting flights. Thank you for sharing this update!
first, this is not surprising. United has repeatedly demonstrated that it is all about market share and, given that American and Delta are growing (or regrowing) in the S. Pacific, it was a given that United would throw a bunch of capacity into the market. second, Virgin Australia is out of the longhaul international market, Qantas has much less capacity along w/ Air New Zealand. US carriers are in some of the best shape globally because of the strength of the US market during covid and the massive amounts of government (taxpayer help) which other airlines worldwide received. third, it is pure internet fables and nothing more that partnership make or break carriers’ success in markets. Delta INCREASED capacity in the US-Australia market just by going from B777-200LRs to A350-900s and yet Delta added 3 weekly additional flights even after losing Virgin Australia as a partner. Delta is adding LAX-AKL with more than 2X the amount of capacity as UA will add in that market because of the larger A350-900s (and even more on the ex-Latam birds). fourth, American is the loser, having been reduced to 3rd place among US carriers on the west coast which is the largest market to the S. Pacific. and, finally, Delta still has more widebodies coming in the next few years with a pending order for at least A350-1000s and possibly some B787s than either American or United, and Delta already has the best operating costs per seat mile of the big 3 – and lower than many other foreign carriers. It is also worth noting that Delta is very likely to re-overtake United as the largest carrier to Northeast Asia. Delta has more access to Haneda – Narita is simply not economically viable predominantly as a connecting hub – while Delta has enormous potential to grow at Seoul and will grow there including with the A350-1000s. United is trying to hold onto its relevance in the Pacific and it is the S. Pacific where they will focus their attention. They will do well but so will every other carrier just because there is so much less foreign carrier capacity.
You posted the exact same thing on one mile at a time. United still will have more capacity into Auckland and New Zealand than Delta, and not really sure why you are mentioning service to Japan, etc. in this context. It’s irrelevant. Always trying to find a way to downplay other airlines’ achievements while building up Delta’s. Even if it’s a tenuous stretch. Good for you.
He forgot to mention that DL just absolutely owns the ATL-MSP citypair too
Why is Ben even writing about UA?
He was banned from UA and I would guess that he would not highlight the airline which banned him?
He loves AA now a days because they have been far more receptive to him.
That’s very old / inaccurate news. Ben was not banned from United – he lost his frequent flyer account with them. He flies them often and posts reviews about them somewhat frequently. He also reports news on big events/ developments in the industry, regardless of issues he might have with a supplier.
Correct.
i ain’t reading all that
i’m happy for u tho
or sorry that happened
Get out of here Dunn!! Go spread your resentful lies somewhere else!!
LOL. I’m flattered that he migrated over to LALF!
ROTFL!!!
Talk to your doctor about Mounjaro today
United is going to lose its position at number 1 over the Pacific? Yeah ok. Delta’s network sucks, I don’t know how you could even claim that.
Even in Tokyo I cannot imagine Delta supplanting United.
Wait until delivery of our A350’s. We’ll go from being ranked 24th worldwide….to being ranked 24th worldwide.
You say UA is all about market share in spite of them closing unprofitable routes and stations, and then go on to tout the growth and market share we’ll see DL gain. lol
And good luck to DL operating seven HND flights once the slot waivers end. They’ve barely brought back anything compared to what UA has already resumed, in spite of having waivers and no need to resume the flying. If it’s all about the power of Tokyo, then UA is again the clear winner with its larger service and joint venture with NH.
If you can copy/paste from OMAAT, so can I….
You qualify that DL might be the largest to “NE” Asia as way of making an argument to support DL without realizing the notion actually hurts the notion that DL is superior in Asia.
DL will be large in Korea since they’ll be relying on KE for a large amount of their Asian travel since DL serves less destinations in Asia than UA. Never mind that UA has a huge amount of flights to Japan (as in currently has them, not taking advantage of slot waivers to avoid unprofitable Japan flying – yes, UA is not 100% back yet, but they have most flights operating), but they also have a JV with one of the most successful Asian airlines that doesn’t require them to overfly Japan, one of the largest countries for travel. The JV with NH makes HND and NRT successful in a way that wasn’t for DL, as shown by the significant amount of flying already brought back.
Also, UA is not 100% focused on NE Asia (a completely random qualifier you added) since UA has been successful in serving so much more of Asia when DL closed multiple stations. Double daily to SIN, TPE, HKG, KIX, the GUM hub, all in addition to this huge South Pacific expansion when they were already the largest airlines to the region.
And yet it’s UA that is trying to maintain relevance?
Please re-read almost any of your posts, but in particular this one, if you ever want to know why people think you are so biased.
Are these sh&@holes even allowing people back in after their crazy Covid rules? And who would go there and support countries that threatened their citizens with arrest for leaving the house?
Not me. To your last point, it wasn’t just threatening. They actually did arrest their citizens, forced them into COVID camps,, and way more.
Militant police raided outdoor parks and outdoor markets, including terrorizing the confused elderly. Let’s not forget when they banned dog walking.
Australia should be in the axis of evil.
“Hi Andrea, You cannot leave the house to walk the dog or to exercise.”
— South Australia Police (@SAPoliceNews) November 18, 2020
Social media users around the world, from the United States to Berlin, reacted with shock and horror at the restrictions.
“At what point do we call this Tyranny?” declared actor and comedian Rob Schneider, prompting Metro Station musician Mason Musso to reply, “Right now.”
https://www.mediaite.com/news/south-australia-police-shock-world-after-forbidding-dog-walking-under-coronavirus-restrictions
‘I Was Treated Like a Criminal,’ Says Woman Detained for 14 Days in Australian Quarantine Camp
In a recent interview with UnHerd, Australian Hayley Hodgson, who never tested positive for COVID, recounted her experience during her “14-day sentence” at the controversial Howard Springs COVID quarantine facility.
Hodgson told Sayers police tracked down everyone who came in contact with a friend of hers who tested positive for COVID. The police captured Hodgson’s license plate using traffic cameras, and sent two undercover officers to her door.
Police didn’t give Hodgson the option to test for COVID, but instead forced her into the camp under the threat of a $5,000 fine. She ultimately tested negative three times, but was still detained for the 14-day period.
Hodgson provided video of an incident from her detainment, where she received a warning and again threats of a $5,000 fine for leaving the balcony of her dormitory-style living quarters.
The video showed the facility worker telling her, “Whether it makes no sense, or doesn’t seem right to you, that’s what the law is.”
“You feel like you’re in prison and you feel like you’ve done something wrong, it’s totally inhumane,” Hodgson told Sayers.
According to Hodgson, her requests to leave her dormitory for a masked walk or run were denied multiple times. Instead, she was offered Valium, a strong sedative, to calm her down and reduce her anxiety and desire for physical activity.
https://childrenshealthdefense.org/defender/hayley-hodgson-australian-quarantine-camp-freddie-sayers
Hidden camera footage of quarantine facility
https://www.instagram.com/tv/CXFT1d8F9oD
Ben Mitchell on Melbourne lockdowns
https://i.postimg.cc/ZnzxxRbG/91-F6-B325-B0-EE-41-F3-8-CDE-E0-B9-E0425-BD1.jpg
Stick to visting the Redneck Riviera and you’ll probably be a lot happier
Do they stand for freedom there?
If America was the true leader of the free world, it would have stood for freedom. Instead, it pushed medical apartheid at home and abroad, as well as stood idle as brave citizens of the world (who stood for freedom) were attacked by militant police.
Just admit it UA, wonderful American places like Pensacola, Orange Beach and Perdido Key aren’t for “elites” like you. The beaches are clean, the people are regular working Americans and they don’t like people who think they are better than others, like yourself. So you just stay in the sh$thole of NY where you fit in perfectly.
And yes, I still look forward to the day your smugness towards others gets you punched right in the mouth. Violence is seldom justified but in your case, most would agree it is if you act in person as you do on these blogs.
Is this a joke?
Recent history
Idk, is this?
https://facebook.com/ozlibertarians/posts/10159092972508311
This?
https://www.facebook.com/john.macaulay.125/posts/police-are-now-turning-up-on-the-doorstep-of-victorian-residents-residents-who-h/10157759889638531/
Australia is Under Dystopian, Military-Enforced Lockdown Despite Less Than 5 COVID Deaths a Day
These draconian restrictions on Australians’ freedom and livelihoods are, understandably, prompting backlash.
“Our people are [poor and] they already feel picked on and marginalised,” Cumberland Mayor Steve Christou told the BBC. “They can’t afford to pay the mortgage, the rent, the food or work. Now to throw out the army to enforce lockdown on the streets is going to be a huge issue to these people.”
It’s mind-boggling that the Australian government is practically placing its citizens under house arrest and outlawing their incomes over five deaths per day. It’s particularly bizarre given that countless studies have shown the ineffectiveness of stay-at-home orders and lockdown policies. (In fact, most COVID-19 spread happens at home.)
It’s inexplicable. If lockdowns could really vanquish COVID-19, why would Australian cities be on their sixth one? And how could a handful of deaths per day in a nation of 25 million possibly justify such draconian measures and using the military to crack down on citizens?
Ultimately, it’s not our responsibility here in the US to answer these questions. But there’s a bigger lesson we can take away from watching such a totalitarian policy descend upon a Western, advanced society like Australia. If we are not vigilant, it can happen here.
As Ronald Reagan famously put it, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.”
Americans must heed this warning, lest we end up meeting Australia’s sad fate.
https://fee.org/articles/australia-is-under-dystopian-military-enforced-lockdown-despite-just-5-covid-deaths-a-day
A reminder of LALF commenting policy:
https://liveandletsfly.com/comment-policy/
out
My salute emoji didn’t post but anyway my bad. Send me tips on caring too much 🙂 Thanks for your patience.
Glad to see some expansion of international routes from LAX. Still hoping for more flights from LA to Europe.
I am also an LAX based traveler. I am ambivalent about the LAX flights, since they are less than daily, in some cases seasonal, and using the smallest gauge equipment that can perform the mission. Also, previous efforts out of LAX were short lived, specifically Singapore. On the other hand, perhaps the 787-9 , while smaller than the 777-300er, is better from the point of view of passenger experience. After all, the various 777 models are all based on an old design. Until terminal 9 is built, United just won’t have the gate capacity that is available to it at SFO. Competition will also restrict United’s plans at LAX.
We should be thankful our two new LAX flights are on the 789 instead of the 788 (48 J seats on 789, only 28 on 788).
I’m confident these flights will perform well and stay around, unlike LAX-SIN. I do believe UA is committed to growing LAX, especially after they see the way DL has been expanding. DL only has a small lead, UA, AA, DL are all still neck to neck at LAX, but UA wants to remain part of that group.
I believe UA wanted to send a message to DL with these routes. There have been rumors that DL wanted to enter MEL and BNE, and they really have nowhere else to do it from than LAX. Those routes just became a lot less likely and more difficult with UA launching these. UA already has a much bigger presence to this region, and now they also have DL’s former partner.
All in all, these two routes are a really big win and an important step for United at LAX.
“. . . including the first-ever nonstop flight from California to New Zealand’s South Island . . .”
Not quite right: Air New Zealand served Christchurch – LAX nonstop for several years starting in 2004. I remember as it’s how I learned the city existed
Isn’t LAX/AKL technically a resumption. I think UA flew it until March 2003. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcSrE-Xx_vo
That was before my time, but didn’t that flight stop in Tahiti?