UA is not ditching MEL despite the loss of the AKL tag. The SYD option is actually better for all concerned as it provides better options to get to SFO and LAX faster and earlier than 842/841 ever did.
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RichardMEL, UA 1K
A Star Alliance Member.
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Ansett Australia: In memory of "One of the world's great airlines"
Feb 17, 1936 - March 4, 2002. R.I.P