UA Cancels Last 5th Freedom Widebody: SIN-HKG.
Jun 1, 2017, 8:55 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2014
Programs: UA 2MM
Posts: 1,679
UA Cancels Last 5th Freedom Widebody: SIN-HKG.
Buried in the press release of the LAX-SIN announcement UA announced that it will be canceling SIN-HKG which is their last fifth freedom flight
With the launch of new nonstop service between SIN and LAX on Oct. 29, the airline will terminate service from Hong Kong (HKG) to SIN on Oct. 27, and from SIN to HKG on Oct. 28. United will continue to operate daily service between SIN and SFO.
Jun 1, 2017, 9:10 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Jersey Shore/YYZ
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It seems for the greater good of fleet utilization that this is a good thing. Yes, those of us shooting for MM will miss these intra-Asia flights, and for BKK, this is a big gap in direct UA flights, but overall, this makes sense.
Jun 1, 2017, 9:21 am
#4
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Osaka
Programs: United Mileage Plus Premier Executive
Posts: 581
United used to have an amazing network in Asia!! I loved the HKG crews and flying United within Asia. The friendly skies and the 3 class 747s will be missed in Asia. Sad to see UA presence shrink in the Pacfic!!
Jun 1, 2017, 9:29 am
#6
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Join Date: Mar 2013
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Between this and Delta's draw down of the NRT mini-hub (and already announced KE JV that will likely push all connecting traffic via ICN), it seems US carrier fifth freedom flights as a whole are nearing extinction.
Jun 1, 2017, 9:31 am
#7
Join Date: May 2001
Location: RNO, NV, USA.
Programs: UA 2MM
Posts: 5,063
Jun 1, 2017, 10:51 am
#9
formerly bulgarianfreak55
Join Date: May 2012
Programs: United 1K, Marriott Platinum, SPG Platinum, Hertz Pres
Posts: 142
Pretty sure with the arrivals of more 787s and A350s, we may see direct West Coast to BKK, Saigon, etc access. We'll just have to wait and see. As demonstrated, no one can predict what United will do. I'll take direct flights over 2 hour connections in NRT anyday, as much as long flights suck. At the end of the day time is money.
Jun 1, 2017, 11:45 am
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DAY
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Agree ^
I am more ambivalent about these long, direct flights and miss the NRT setup. Sure, I get that it can shave a couple hours off of total trip time, but if I am travelling USA->South East Asia, it really isn't that impactful...especially from East Coast.
Also causes higher risks of cancels (crew time outs).
I have come to prefer routing the other way, through Europe, with 2 long legs and a break in between. But airlines tend to charge way more $ for that route, even though it is about the same distance.
Pretty sure with the arrivals of more 787s and A350s, we may see direct West Coast to BKK, Saigon, etc access. We'll just have to wait and see. As demonstrated, no one can predict what United will do. I'll take direct flights over 2 hour connections in NRT anyday, as much as long flights suck. At the end of the day time is money.
Also causes higher risks of cancels (crew time outs).
I have come to prefer routing the other way, through Europe, with 2 long legs and a break in between. But airlines tend to charge way more $ for that route, even though it is about the same distance.
Jun 1, 2017, 1:20 pm
#14
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,418
Jun 1, 2017, 1:21 pm
#15
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,418
Pretty sure with the arrivals of more 787s and A350s, we may see direct West Coast to BKK, Saigon, etc access. We'll just have to wait and see. As demonstrated, no one can predict what United will do. I'll take direct flights over 2 hour connections in NRT anyday, as much as long flights suck. At the end of the day time is money.