Change of IAD-PEK flight number?
Sep 6, 2014, 11:51 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: PEK, AUS, WAS, HKG
Programs: CX Gold
Posts: 1,122
Change of IAD-PEK flight number?
I just noticed that this winter the flight number for IAD-PEK has just changed from the traditional UA897/898 to UA807/808. Anyone know why? Thanks!
Sep 23, 2014, 6:06 pm
#2
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: UA MP 1K 1MM
Posts: 50
I saw that too, no idea why. The change is effective Oct. 25/26 with no change in equipment. There is a change in IAD departure time from 12:20pm to 1:35pm, no change in PEK departure time. I also noticed that on the same date the ORD-PEK UA851 equipment will change from 777-200 to 747-400. Maybe it has something to do with control capacities and flight slots?
Sep 23, 2014, 8:23 pm
#3
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,418
Saw this as well a few days ago.
Departure time adjusts because China does not have daylight saving time, so arrival remains consistent and same for turn time.
Surprised to see capacity expand in winter, but may be question of where they deploy equipment, and there's fewer empty seats on ORD-PEK than other routes.
Flight number change is probably just to make flight numbering more consistent (803/804 are IAD-NRT).
Departure time adjusts because China does not have daylight saving time, so arrival remains consistent and same for turn time.
Surprised to see capacity expand in winter, but may be question of where they deploy equipment, and there's fewer empty seats on ORD-PEK than other routes.
Flight number change is probably just to make flight numbering more consistent (803/804 are IAD-NRT).
Sep 23, 2014, 9:35 pm
#4
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Sep 24, 2014, 8:49 am
#6
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,418
Yeah, having taken those flights a number of times, from IAD they almost always arrive early or on time. (Unless there's an abduction in process). Coming back , it's somewhat subject to the whims of China's ATC, but also it's usually on time or early.
Sep 24, 2014, 10:07 am
#7
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Surprised to see ORD-PEK capacity is increased to 747.
UA faces stiff competitions from Chinese carriers, especially on PEK routes.
Weekly flights from PEK:
CA:
SFO 7
LAX 14
IAH 7
JFK 14
IAD 4
HU:
BOS 4
SEA 4
ORD 4
Jeff complained about "foreign competition" during last Q call....
I thought that UA would down gauge its aircraft flying to China.
UA faces stiff competitions from Chinese carriers, especially on PEK routes.
Weekly flights from PEK:
CA:
SFO 7
LAX 14
IAH 7
JFK 14
IAD 4
HU:
BOS 4
SEA 4
ORD 4
Jeff complained about "foreign competition" during last Q call....
I thought that UA would down gauge its aircraft flying to China.