Feb 20, 2014, 8:54 am
Last edit by: JOSECONLSCREW28
LAX-MEL on the new 787-9, 6x weekly
SYD-MEL-SYD tag-on is being dropped.
The 789 is sCO, delivery expected in the summer.
UA options to Australia will now be:
SFO-SYD - 3-class sUA 777
LAX-SYD - 3-class sUA 777
LAX-MEL - sCO 2-class 789 with 48J/88Y+/116Y 252 seats total
GUM-CNS - sCO 2-class 738 (2x per week)
LAX - MEL schedule:
98 LAX - MEL (will not operate on Tuesdays)
10:30p 9:15a+2 1545 (Except Thursday)
9:30p 8:15a+2 1545 (Thursdays Only)
(Operated by a 789 on Sundays, Thursdays, & Saturdays)
(Operated by a 788 on Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays)
99 MEL - LAX (will not operate on Thursdays)
11:15a 6:50a 1435 (Except Saturday)
3:15p 10:50a 1435 (Saturdays Only)
(Operated by a 789 on Mondays, Tuesdays, & Saturdays)
(Operated by a 788 on Sundays, Wednesdays, & Fridays)
SYD-MEL-SYD tag-on is being dropped.
The 789 is sCO, delivery expected in the summer.
UA options to Australia will now be:
SFO-SYD - 3-class sUA 777
LAX-SYD - 3-class sUA 777
LAX-MEL - sCO 2-class 789 with 48J/88Y+/116Y 252 seats total
GUM-CNS - sCO 2-class 738 (2x per week)
LAX - MEL schedule:
98 LAX - MEL (will not operate on Tuesdays)
10:30p 9:15a+2 1545 (Except Thursday)
9:30p 8:15a+2 1545 (Thursdays Only)
(Operated by a 789 on Sundays, Thursdays, & Saturdays)
(Operated by a 788 on Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays)
99 MEL - LAX (will not operate on Thursdays)
11:15a 6:50a 1435 (Except Saturday)
3:15p 10:50a 1435 (Saturdays Only)
(Operated by a 789 on Mondays, Tuesdays, & Saturdays)
(Operated by a 788 on Sundays, Wednesdays, & Fridays)
UA to Start LAX-MEL (787-9) Service, Effective 26-Oct-2014
Feb 19, 2014, 6:30 pm
#31
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: LHR (sometimes CLE, SFO, BOS, LAX, SEA)
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 5,893
Feb 19, 2014, 6:33 pm
#32
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: ORD, HKG
Programs: UA*G, AA Emerald, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt globalist
Posts: 10,276
Feb 19, 2014, 6:33 pm
#33
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: LAX
Programs: UA 1K MM, AS MVPG, SPG PLAT 100
Posts: 1,497
Dont know why all the haterade on UA @ LAX for international arrivals at dedicated UA INTL facility. Made it from UA 935 thru immigration, baggage claim (2 bags), customs form dropoff to curb to Parking Spot on Sepulveda in 24 minutes yesterday. Dont know anywhere else where that is possible.
Feb 19, 2014, 6:35 pm
#34
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: SYD; Central Coast, NSW
Programs: UA, 1K 2MM
Posts: 947
Feb 19, 2014, 6:37 pm
#35
Join Date: Jul 2008
Programs: QF, VN, SQ, SPG, IHG PG
Posts: 453
Why is MEL-LAX only x6 Weekly? I would at least think the service could warrant a daily flight?
Hopefully once the new MEL-LAX service is down pat we can see MEL-SFO open up! Much anticipating a direct MEL-SFO!
Hopefully once the new MEL-LAX service is down pat we can see MEL-SFO open up! Much anticipating a direct MEL-SFO!
Feb 19, 2014, 6:42 pm
#36
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: EWR, BDL
Posts: 4,471
Yes correct LAX - SYD, SFO - SYD will remain and be operated by the sUA 3-cabin 777s. What's being discontinued is the SYD - MEL - SYD tag-on flight.
Feb 19, 2014, 6:42 pm
#37
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: SEA
Programs: UA SP, DL SM MM, AS 75K, SPG Platinum, Hyatt Diamond.
Posts: 2,596
I'm not seeing all the issues with LAX customs either, SFO is no picnic in my experience. For sure, UA needs to have some reason to keep LAX as "hub" status?
I've been through customs even at Bradley in less than 5 minutes too. The trick is global entry, and not checking bags. For me the real pain is IAH, not customs, but the secondary security screening you have to go back through at IAH is horrible, at least every time I've caught it, and global entry is no help there. Most of the time, I just exit, and re-enter the terminal so I can access the pre-check line.
I've been through customs even at Bradley in less than 5 minutes too. The trick is global entry, and not checking bags. For me the real pain is IAH, not customs, but the secondary security screening you have to go back through at IAH is horrible, at least every time I've caught it, and global entry is no help there. Most of the time, I just exit, and re-enter the terminal so I can access the pre-check line.
Feb 19, 2014, 6:48 pm
#38
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: YVR SFO
Programs: UA G
Posts: 4,866
SFO-SYD-MEL or SFO-LAX-MEL is still one-stop no matter how you slice it. For spoke cities, Spoke-LAX-MEL beats Spoke-SFO-SYD-MEL any day of the week.
Feb 19, 2014, 6:48 pm
#39
Join Date: Feb 2006
Programs: UA, Starwood, Priority Club, Hertz, Starbucks Gold Card
Posts: 3,952
It's always good news to hear a new intl route from LAX, especially on UA. Now let's bring back LAX-HKG on the B788!
Feb 19, 2014, 6:58 pm
#40
Moderator, Omni, Omni/PR, Omni/Games, FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Between DCA and IAD
Programs: UA 1K MM; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 67,136
Dont know why all the haterade on UA @ LAX for international arrivals at dedicated UA INTL facility. Made it from UA 935 thru immigration, baggage claim (2 bags), customs form dropoff to curb to Parking Spot on Sepulveda in 24 minutes yesterday. Dont know anywhere else where that is possible.
What I hate about international at LAX is connecting. There's the confusing path to follow when exiting arrivals and getting back to domestic connections, going outside, then trying to find an escalator or elevator up to the departures level. Granted, it's been 2 years since I made an international connection at LAX, so maybe that's finally improved, but if you're connecting, LAX isn't as much fun.
Feb 19, 2014, 6:59 pm
#41
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Osaka
Programs: United Mileage Plus Premier Executive
Posts: 581
That is too bad it will be on a 2 class 787 with an outdated business first cabin, and no option of an F class, and 3-3-3 in coach with a poor soft product! I will just fly to SYD on the 777 and buy a ticket on Qantas onto MEL as I won't be able to fly the 777 from SYD onto MEL anymore.
Feb 19, 2014, 7:03 pm
#42
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: One Pass
Posts: 250
LAX becomes non stop - Win
SFO still remains as a one stop - Win
Cuts out a stop from anyother city where UA flies non stop. - Big Win
Feb 19, 2014, 7:04 pm
#43
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,140
It depends on the spoke. When the only option to LAX is a regional or requires a 12-hour layover (both of which are common situations), I'd take the extra stop in SFO any day of the week.
Forces you to go through LAX - the biggest loser
Forces you to go through LAX - the biggest loser
Feb 19, 2014, 7:05 pm
#45
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 7,541
Excellent! Now I can work this out on my return from Australia in December if United loads saver J inventory.