United Airlines is launching new service from Houston to Sydney, Australia, an ultra-longhaul route that showcases new markets made possible by the 787-9.
The new route will be daily and begins on January 18, 2018. Tickets are already on sale on united.com and award space has been loaded. Tuesdays are the best day to snag a saver business class seat at 70K United miles one-way.
The new route will operate on the following schedule:
|
Houston – Sydney Flight Schedule |
||||
|
Flight |
City |
Depart |
City |
Arrive |
|
UA 101 |
Houston (IAH) |
8:00 p.m. |
Sydney (SYD) |
6:30 a.m. +2 days later |
|
UA 100 |
Sydney (SYD) |
11:50 a.m. |
Houston (IAH) |
10:35 a.m. same day |
The 787-9 will feature 252 seats in the following configuration:
- 48 Business Class
- 63 Economy Plus
- 141 Economy Class
That’s a premium-heavy continuation that should help improve your upgrade chances, but note that the aircraft will not have United’s new “Polaris” seats. Instead, the aircraft features 2-2-2 seating in business class that does not include direct aisle access to window seat passengers.
Too Long?
The flight is blocked at 17hr30min flying west and 15hr45min flying east. That’s going to be a long flight.
But I say, no problem. Maybe that’s just me, but I did Tel Aviv to San Francisco in economy class a couple months ago, with a flight time of 15hrs, and survived it fine. Flying in business class would be even easier.
United has wi-fi onboard, in-seat power at every seat, and a comprehensive IFE selection. With two meals and a substantial snack during the flight, it’s not like flying Uzbekistan Airways for 11hrs and literary going crazy of boredom because of there was no wi-fi or English movies.
I don’t know, maybe I’m just “special” (in the negative sense), but I love ultra-longhaul flights.
CONCLUSION
United’s international expansion is impressive. First San Francisco to Singapore, soon Los Angeles to Singapore, and now Houston to Sydney. The 787 is making routes possible that would never have been otherwise possible. I don’t plan on ever taking the new IAH-SYD flight since United flies to both Sydney and Melbourne from LA, but I’m sure United and Star Alliance loyalists in the midwest and east will appreciate this new option, giving many new cities one-stop access to Australia.
top image: Boeing
Its not that bad of a flight. I would prefer the 787 econ plus vs the 777 300 er econ plus. I might try it. Would be great for a nice mile eqm run. Done Turkish 777 in econ, that’s cramped! Qantas 4 times, Emirates 2 times. So it’s not bad. I just hope the flight crew isn’t cranky lol.
sure beats the worthless DL+VA JV that, despite being in a JV, only has a single CONUS port of LAX.
So let’s compare the 4 largest airports from Aussie+NZ to North America:
SYD – let’s just say it’s a tie cuz Star has more ports but oneworld has more lift (I think it does)
QF/AA – 3 (LAX SFO DFW, once in a blue moon they run those seasonal ski trips up to YVR)
UA/NZ/AC – 4 (LAX SFO IAH YVR)
DL/VA – LAX
MEL – I’ll say advantage Star here
QF/AA – LAX
UA/NZ/AC – 2 (LAX+YVR)
DL/VA – LAX
BNE – probably a tie between oneworld and DL/VA
QF/AA – LAX
UA/NZ/AC – YVR
DL/VA – LAX
AKL – not even remotely close here
QF/AA – LAX
UA/NZ/AC – 4 (LAX SFO IAH YVR)
DL/VA – zero
Seems too long to me for economy in UA 787. I took one flight IAH-FRA which is less than 10 hrs and i swore to myself that i would not do this again. It just felt so cramped to the front and side. Probably better off with other airlines or fly at least econ plus. I am 6′ and dont have wide shoulders or anything.
Agreed that I quite enjoy an extra-long flight…as long as I am in business/first. That way, you have more time to enjoy the service and get a nap in without feeling like you are missing anything.
Longest economy I’ve done was IAD-IST. Redeye there was brutal, as I tried to sleep but couldn’t. Way back was fine, as I had an open seat next to me and didn’t have to sleep.
I’m also one of the rare folks who enjoys ultra-longhaul flights. Of course its an easier and more enjoyable flight in Business or First but I’ve survived many looong flights in Y. For me it has got much more comfortable since I picked up a Purple seat cushion. The Purple company makes mattresses mostly but personally discovering their seat cushions has made flights in Y so much more comfortable to endure.
I did KLAX to YMML, almost 16 hours. In economy. Going over, plane, 787-9 United, was packed..16 hours in the dark, with very little space.
Coming back, the seat next to me was open…made all of the difference in the world. And a lot of the flight was during daylight. Able to move and shift around..
Next time, it’s at least premium economy..