Originally Posted by
angetenar
If we approximate EWR-HKG avoiding Russian airspace as EWR-ANC-NRT-HKG, GC map gives a distance of 8645 miles. This is well within the range of the A350-900 non ULR. However, during northern winter when the winds strengthen, the actual flight distance would be a fair bit longer and would probably push the capabilities of an A359. The A359ULR or A35K should be able to do this comfortably. I don't know how finalized the ranges on the 778/779 are, but taking the currently marketed ranges at face value, they should be able to fly this without issue as well.
Maybe the 789 IGW could do it outside of northern winters. That said, as noted earlier, it is not like UA is lighting the world on fire with 4x daily frequencies from SFO/LAX-HKG. I wonder how long UA sticks with that strategy before changing things up again.