United Airlines will resume flights between Los Angeles and Sydney this September after a multi-month hiatus. The flight represents hope that United will not abandon longhaul flights out of LAX.
United Resumes Los Angeles – Sydney Flights
There was real concern that Los Angeles was on the chopping block as an international hub. First, United suspended all longhaul flights from LAX due to COVID-19. Next, United announced that its 787 pilot base would close at LAX…all longhaul international flights at LAX utilize a 787.
With demand severely compromised and San Francisco serving as United’s main west coast international gateway, it was not a stretch to wonder whether international service would ever return to LAX.
Last week, American Airlines announced that it was abandoning the majority of its longhaul routes from LAX, including:
- Beijing
- Buenos Aires
- Hong Kong
- Sao Paulo
- Shanghai
I asked Patrick Quayle, United’s Vice President for International Network and Alliances if this would be an opportunity for United. He told me:
“As airlines continue to move through the current environment and make changes and adjustments to their network offerings, there may be opportunities for United. We remain committed to serving the Los Angeles market and we will continue to closely monitor demand and adjust our schedules as demand dictates.”
The restoration of United’s LAX-SYD service at least represents a commitment to the Los Angeles longhaul market. The flight will operate three days per week (Tuesday/Thursday/Sunday outbound and Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday inbound) according its historic UA839/842 schedule. A Boeing 787-9 will be utilized.
In September, the only other planned United longhaul flight from LAX is to Tokyo Haneda, utilizing a 787-10. Service to Tokyo Narita, Shanghai, London, and Melbourne remains suspended.
> Read More: As American Retreats, Will Delta Or United Step Up At LAX?
CONCLUSION
United will resume Sydney flights from LAX this autumn. Thus far, American has not announced when its Los Angeles – Sydney flights will officially restart. Delta resumed flights last week. United’s willingness to resume traffic on a highly-competitive route gives hopes that other LAX cutbacks will be restored.
DL restarted LAXSYD last week. 3x service.
That has been noted in article. Thanks.
Obviously, I don’t fly as much as you, but I logged in 100,000 out of LAX last year and don’t remember flying United once.
As for Australia, when the country is shutting down the border between Victoria and NSW and putting Melbourne (20% of Australia’s population) in a six week minimum lockdown, it’s remains to be seen what happens to the best-laid plans of mice and men.
I’m still super surprised that with only citizens/residents allowed in and 14-day quarantine mandated, that there’s demand for more than the SFO flight
Also shocked at the broad resumption of service in August. Does United just know something we don’t about governments’ willingness to open borders soon?
I agree. Who is actually talking these flights?
Huge opportunity for UA at LAX with AA’s route cancellations. I hope they take full advantage.
July 8, 2020: Greater Melbourne, Australia goes on lock down as Covid surges in Victoria State. Border between Victoria and New South Wales states closed. Sydney Airport (which is taking the international flights from Melbourne Airport, not many anyhow) is restricting to 450 passengers arriving internationally per day in order to manage, control, track the mandatory 14 day quarantine of all arrivals (Aussie and foreigners) program. There are very very few international flights into Australia right now. United can plan, but flexibility in the same is the name of the game. Book now, cancel later.
i love how Victoria reports 191 daily and they’re scrambling to lockdown and seal interstate borders.
Arizona is like 17% more populous than Victoria, reports 3000-4000 daily, and they pretend nothing is happening
BWHAHAHAH