In Hong Kong, United Giveth And Taketh Away

United will add a second daily service between San Francisco and Hong Kong starting this autumn. But the new service comes at the expense of United’s Hong Kong – Guam service.

Second Daily Service From San Francisco to Hong Kong Effective October 26, 2019

Currently, United’s Hong Kong flight leaves SFO around lunchtime and arrives in the evening in Hong Kong. That’s an ideal schedule for adjusting to jetlag since you can go to sleep shortly after arrival. On the other hand, it is like losing two days since you leave midday and lose a day by crossing the international date line. The new flights, numbered UA877/878 (schedule below) will leave San Francisco late in the evening, allowing for a full day’s work. These flights will arrive in Hong Kong early in the morning (+2 days, again due to the international date line), allowing for another full day of work.

Here’s the new schedule:

Speaking of the new network, United’s Vice President of International Network, Patrick Quayle, offered his thoughts on why he chose to offer the new route.

The addition of a second daily nonstop flight between San Francisco and Hong Kong offers customers more flexibility and convenience when planning travel to one of the world’s largest business markets. We look forward to offering customers a schedule that fits their travel needs with convenient times and greater connectivity to United’s extensive and growing network.

In terms of aircraft utilization, this move also makes a lot of sense. Currently, planes sit overnight in Hong Kong, which charges high parking fees. This twice-daily service will keep aircraft on the ground in Hong Kong far less. In order to maximize this aircraft utilization, United will transition its 777-300 service on UA869/862 to a 777-200. Both flights will operate with a 777-200 configured with retrofitted Polaris seats, Premium Plus (premium economy), Economy Plus (extra legroom economy) and economy class.

Lastly, United has released plenty of saver award space on its new Hong Kong route, even in Polaris Business Class. Book now if you are interested…the space will go fast.

Elimination of Guam – Hong Kong Service on October 27, 2019

While not publicly attributed to a slot issue, United will discontinue service between Guam and Hong Kong. In explaining the change to employees in a note obtained by Live and Let’s Fly, Quayle explained that United is focusing on Japan from its Guam hub:

We will discontinue our HKG-GUM (Guam) service effective October 27, but this cancellation will not reduce our presence in or commitment to the GUM market. Rather, it will allow us to repurpose aircraft in GUM to continue to build our successful franchise between GUM and secondary Japan markets.

The news of the elimination of Guam to Hong Kong service comes as a surprise to some, as United added two additional flights per week between Guam and Hong Kong last year.

CONCLUSION

The second daily San Francisco – Hong Kong service is a nice route addition, even at the cost of the Guam to Hong Kong service. Remember to take advantage of saver award space on the new SFO-HKG route while it still lasts.