UA to launch SFO - HGH service (Hangzhou, China) {Service terminated 14 Oct 2017}
Jul 17, 2016, 5:54 pm
#136
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: IAD/DCA
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Marriott Pltm, Hyatt Diamond, spg Pltm
Posts: 356
UA 's New Flight to HGH
UA flys to Hangzhou starting this 13th.
http://newsroom.united.com/2016-07-1...o-and-Hangzhou
Anyone on these flights?
http://newsroom.united.com/2016-07-1...o-and-Hangzhou
Anyone on these flights?
Jul 17, 2016, 6:17 pm
#137
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC (Primarily EWR)
Programs: UA 1K / *G, Marriott Bonvoy Gold; Avis PC
Posts: 9,005
UA flys to Hangzhou starting this 13th.
http://newsroom.united.com/2016-07-1...o-and-Hangzhou
Anyone on these flights?
http://newsroom.united.com/2016-07-1...o-and-Hangzhou
Anyone on these flights?
Jul 17, 2016, 7:31 pm
#139
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: UA*Lifetime GS, Hyatt* Lifetime Globalist
Posts: 12,337
Slight of the topic, but want to address the emptiness of the plane issue:
Many moons ago (and some of you might be inside of a school bus instead of in an airplane ;-)), when UA launched the second NRT-LAX-NRT flight (this was when UA was the powerhouse it used to be across the Pacific), I was on the the inaugural NRT-LAX flight on an almost brand new 744 during the peak of summer travel season. The later departure of the second flight worked for me because I had to connect from another East Asia city where UA did not have a direct flight that the time.
There was only 12 passengers on the flight despite marketing it for about 4 months. 2 of us were in in F, and I was the only revenue passenger, the other was an Executive from UA cargo operation. Nevertheless, the second NRT-LAX-NRT service was a success after the initial three months of "emptiness".
I am skeptical of the SFO-HGH service, but probably less than XIY. Time will tell if UA made the right decision.
Many moons ago (and some of you might be inside of a school bus instead of in an airplane ;-)), when UA launched the second NRT-LAX-NRT flight (this was when UA was the powerhouse it used to be across the Pacific), I was on the the inaugural NRT-LAX flight on an almost brand new 744 during the peak of summer travel season. The later departure of the second flight worked for me because I had to connect from another East Asia city where UA did not have a direct flight that the time.
There was only 12 passengers on the flight despite marketing it for about 4 months. 2 of us were in in F, and I was the only revenue passenger, the other was an Executive from UA cargo operation. Nevertheless, the second NRT-LAX-NRT service was a success after the initial three months of "emptiness".
I am skeptical of the SFO-HGH service, but probably less than XIY. Time will tell if UA made the right decision.
Jul 17, 2016, 8:31 pm
#140
Used to be MBS PremExec
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Saginaw, MI (MBS)
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM, Marriott Titanium w/Lifetime Plat, Hilton LIfetime ♢, National Exec, Amex Plat
Posts: 5,722
I was curious, so I took a look at the seat maps for the past few days. It's weird, HGH-SFO has been and will be mostly full in both cabins, but SFO-HGH has been pretty empty.
In theory, it leads me to believe that the route is being used more by Chinese than by Americans, at least early on. (Surely, there are exceptions with some Americans returning home that started in other cities or otherwise got to Hangzhou).
In theory, it leads me to believe that the route is being used more by Chinese than by Americans, at least early on. (Surely, there are exceptions with some Americans returning home that started in other cities or otherwise got to Hangzhou).
Jul 18, 2016, 2:11 am
#141
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,227
I was curious, so I took a look at the seat maps for the past few days. It's weird, HGH-SFO has been and will be mostly full in both cabins, but SFO-HGH has been pretty empty.
In theory, it leads me to believe that the route is being used more by Chinese than by Americans, at least early on. (Surely, there are exceptions with some Americans returning home that started in other cities or otherwise got to Hangzhou).
In theory, it leads me to believe that the route is being used more by Chinese than by Americans, at least early on. (Surely, there are exceptions with some Americans returning home that started in other cities or otherwise got to Hangzhou).
Jul 18, 2016, 1:34 pm
#142
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: 5280 feet
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 674
I have not flown HGH international terminal, but their CA domestic terminal is quite good compare to a lot of US airports (IAD came to mind first). Given how much their government care about image, would be hard for me to image their international terminal is worse than domestic.
HGH is not SIN or KUL or BKK or PEK, but it is no worse than PVG.
Jul 18, 2016, 4:57 pm
#144
Join Date: Feb 2008
Programs: 6 year GS, now 2MM Jeff-ugee, *wood LTPlt, SkyPeso PLT
Posts: 6,526
I was curious, so I took a look at the seat maps for the past few days. It's weird, HGH-SFO has been and will be mostly full in both cabins, but SFO-HGH has been pretty empty.
In theory, it leads me to believe that the route is being used more by Chinese than by Americans, at least early on. (Surely, there are exceptions with some Americans returning home that started in other cities or otherwise got to Hangzhou).
In theory, it leads me to believe that the route is being used more by Chinese than by Americans, at least early on. (Surely, there are exceptions with some Americans returning home that started in other cities or otherwise got to Hangzhou).
If UA is running a bunch of students on the very cheap fares UA is currently offering in Y, great, but it will not make this flight a success. Wednesday's flight (UA983, 7/20) shows 14 J blocked off, but I think its seat blocking given how it looks, not actual seats being taken. Same with E+, it shows 25 seats taken, but a few are middle seats with empty isles on either side, not what I would expect to see. Y- shows as full, but again the map may just be wonky (as it looks in J).
It is worth checking tomorrow to see what it looks like when it actually flies.
Aug 20, 2016, 9:22 pm
#145
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: UA
Posts: 312
Load Factor on Wednesdays
Thinking about taking this flight SFO-HGH on Wednesday 10/26. Load looks empty as of now, but wondering if anybody has experience or knowledge on load factors and when most people will book for this flight. If I can get a row to myself in E+, I don't want to waste the UPG.
Aug 20, 2016, 9:54 pm
#146
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: SEA/ORD/ADB
Programs: TK ELPL (*G), AS 100K (OWE), BA Gold (OWE), Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat
Posts: 7,763
It's really hard to estimate loads on China flights because China point-of-sale is very travel agent heavy, and many Chinese agencies heavily utilize blocked space agreements.
In general, it's difficult to differentiate a mostly empty flight and a flight with 10 middle seats left until checkin opens.
In general, it's difficult to differentiate a mostly empty flight and a flight with 10 middle seats left until checkin opens.
Aug 21, 2016, 8:51 am
#147
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: san antonio, texas
Programs: 3.2MM AA, 1.4MM UA,StwdLftPlt
Posts: 1,586
It's really hard to estimate loads on China flights because China point-of-sale is very travel agent heavy, and many Chinese agencies heavily utilize blocked space agreements.
In general, it's difficult to differentiate a mostly empty flight and a flight with 10 middle seats left until checkin opens.
In general, it's difficult to differentiate a mostly empty flight and a flight with 10 middle seats left until checkin opens.
Aug 21, 2016, 2:00 pm
#148
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 10,969
It's really hard to estimate loads on China flights because China point-of-sale is very travel agent heavy, and many Chinese agencies heavily utilize blocked space agreements.
In general, it's difficult to differentiate a mostly empty flight and a flight with 10 middle seats left until checkin opens.
In general, it's difficult to differentiate a mostly empty flight and a flight with 10 middle seats left until checkin opens.
Aug 21, 2016, 11:27 pm
#150
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: EWR, PHL
Programs: UA1k 3MM, AA Plt, peasant on everybody else, elite something or other at a bunch of hotels.
Posts: 4,637
