PEK-SFO moved to later in the day?
Oct 22, 2017, 4:34 pm
#1
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PEK-SFO moved to later in the day?
I noticed that PEK-SFO used to be a noontime departure (from flying it so much), but now it's a late afternoon departure. Is this so that the inbound from SFO can just do a quick turn in PEK instead of sitting for 20-22 hours?
Oct 22, 2017, 5:40 pm
#2
Join Date: Apr 2017
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AND worse, they swapped a 772 for part of the upcoming schedule. YUCK. Hate that plane so much! (But not a lot of options if going to the west coast because ORD is also a 772, EWR is at least PMCO 772 but that's a lot of hours out of the way)
Oct 22, 2017, 6:20 pm
#3
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It switches to the later departure time (17:25 or 16:10 depending on season) on October 29. The arrival time doesn't change, looks like they're going to try to pull off a 2h turn in PEK.
Oct 22, 2017, 7:02 pm
#4
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Makes much more sense. A 2 hour turn is plenty of time for a 772. UA loses money by having the plane sit for hours at PEK. Any connections that can't make the new flight times can connect at ORD or EWR.
Oct 22, 2017, 7:38 pm
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Oct 23, 2017, 8:16 pm
#8
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I don't think I've ever been delayed PEK SFO and VV, and I fly this route a LOT. I once had a mx on PEK ORD, but other than that, United for me has been 100% on time with PEK. I travel PEK/SHA 3-4x per month and am delayed 95% of the time.
I always thought they prioritized international departures/arrivals. Also, most delays are military related and I don't think there's a base north of PEK so flights going that direction are probably more immune.
I always thought they prioritized international departures/arrivals. Also, most delays are military related and I don't think there's a base north of PEK so flights going that direction are probably more immune.
Oct 23, 2017, 8:28 pm
#9
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I don't think I've ever been delayed PEK SFO and VV, and I fly this route a LOT. I once had a mx on PEK ORD, but other than that, United for me has been 100% on time with PEK. I travel PEK/SHA 3-4x per month and am delayed 95% of the time.
I always thought they prioritized international departures/arrivals. Also, most delays are military related and I don't think there's a base north of PEK so flights going that direction are probably more immune.
I always thought they prioritized international departures/arrivals. Also, most delays are military related and I don't think there's a base north of PEK so flights going that direction are probably more immune.
All of this is to keep the aircrafts utilized. Currently, only 77W overnights in PEK. pmUA 772 goes ORD-PEK-IAD, and IAD-PEK-ORD, and pmCO 772 goes EWR-PEK-EWR.
New schedule will only have the ORD-PEK 772 overnight. SFO-PEK, EWR-PEK, and IAD-PEK all do a ~2h turnaround.
Oct 23, 2017, 10:34 pm
#10
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I question if that is a true statement. There are well known destinations that are nearly always delayed (PEK/SZX is one example). PEK/SHA is pretty frequently delayed. It's almost always due to the military, and the destination definitely matters because the destination determines the flight path which determines which airspace gets shut down.
I've had delays where PEK will change runways or takeoff directions without advance notice. I had that twice in the last 12 months, once to SFO and NRT. On NRT flight, the flight was just on tarmac for 50min until they re-shuffled all the backlog.
On SFO flight, same thing happened, we were #2 for takeoff and PEK suddenly changed takeoff direction--no exception granted. The crew and flight planners had to file a new flight path and redo calculations because of takeoff direction. Flight paths are easier to re-file, but the issue was that the plane needed more fuel, and they also had to offload cargo in order to reduce takeoff weight.
Oct 24, 2017, 11:05 am
#11
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On SFO flight, same thing happened, we were #2 for takeoff and PEK suddenly changed takeoff direction--no exception granted. The crew and flight planners had to file a new flight path and redo calculations because of takeoff direction. Flight paths are easier to re-file, but the issue was that the plane needed more fuel, and they also had to offload cargo in order to reduce takeoff weight.
I realize taking off to the south (vs north) will add a few nm to the route, but is it outside of the bounds of flexibility that they have?
Oct 24, 2017, 12:05 pm
#12
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I would love to hear a pilot's comment, but my understanding is that although the fuel load is calculated to include some margin, they would not be allowed to 'use' that margin before taking off. I.e. if they refile the flight plan and the path distance is different, they are obliged to take on more fuel.
Oct 24, 2017, 12:24 pm
#13
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Cargo needs to be offloaded and fuel needs to be added because of inevitable tarmac delays in having everyone move around the airfield.
Nov 13, 2017, 4:05 pm
#14
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When is SFO-PEK (UA888) reverting back to 777-200?
As title reads: When is SFO-PEK (UA888) reverting back to 777-200 Version 1?
Seems to be sometime in December/January?
And what is happening to those 777-300ER they are currently using?
Edit:
Or is it 747 to 777-300ER to 777-200 Version 1?
Edit 2:
Okay, looks like the change is happening December 1, 2017.
Edit 3:
It appears only temporary: switch from 777-300ER to 777-200 Version 1 from December 1, 2017 to & including January 17, 2018.
Seems to be sometime in December/January?
And what is happening to those 777-300ER they are currently using?
Edit:
Or is it 747 to 777-300ER to 777-200 Version 1?
Edit 2:
Okay, looks like the change is happening December 1, 2017.
Edit 3:
It appears only temporary: switch from 777-300ER to 777-200 Version 1 from December 1, 2017 to & including January 17, 2018.
Last edited by narvik; Nov 13, 2017 at 4:35 pm
Nov 13, 2017, 4:53 pm
#15
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As title reads: When is SFO-PEK (UA888) reverting back to 777-200 Version 1?
Seems to be sometime in December/January?
And what is happening to those 777-300ER they are currently using?
Edit:
Or is it 747 to 777-300ER to 777-200 Version 1?
Edit 2:
Okay, looks like the change is happening December 1, 2017.
Edit 3:
It appears only temporary: switch from 777-300ER to 777-200 Version 1 from December 1, 2017 to & including January 17, 2018.
Seems to be sometime in December/January?
And what is happening to those 777-300ER they are currently using?
Edit:
Or is it 747 to 777-300ER to 777-200 Version 1?
Edit 2:
Okay, looks like the change is happening December 1, 2017.
Edit 3:
It appears only temporary: switch from 777-300ER to 777-200 Version 1 from December 1, 2017 to & including January 17, 2018.
SFO/PEK (UA 888/889) - Started September 6 (Except 01Dec to 18Jan, op by 772)