Jan 24, 2022, 11:57 am
Last edit by: Mwenenzi
FT thread-->United Announces SFO-Brisbane (BNE), Australia
AU Govt--->Digital Passenger Declaration
AU Govt-->Inbound international travel
Pre departure testing not required from 18 April 2022
AU Govt--->COVID-19 and the border
AU Govt-->COVID-19 and the border- Travel restrictions and exemptions
Main AU CV19 thread-->https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/oceania-australia-new-zealand-south-pacific/2012985-australia-s-response-covid-19-general-border-control-thread.html
"Year-round, nonstop service between Brisbane and San Francisco starts in October "
AU Govt-->Inbound international travel
Pre Departure Testing
From 18 April 2022, changes to pre-departure testing for travelling to Australia will come into effect. Travellers are reminded that it is your responsibility to ensure you meet the requirements of the airline you are travelling with and any countries you transit through.
From 18 April 2022, changes to pre-departure testing for travelling to Australia will come into effect. Travellers are reminded that it is your responsibility to ensure you meet the requirements of the airline you are travelling with and any countries you transit through.
AU Govt--->COVID-19 and the border
AU Govt-->COVID-19 and the border- Travel restrictions and exemptions
<snip>
From 21 February 2022, all fully vaccinated visa holders can travel to Australia without a travel exemption. Unvaccinated visa holders will still need a valid travel exemption to enter Australia.
<snip>
From 21 February 2022, all fully vaccinated visa holders can travel to Australia without a travel exemption. Unvaccinated visa holders will still need a valid travel exemption to enter Australia.
<snip>
United's Operations during Australia's Reopening
Apr 12, 2022, 7:30 am
#181
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: EWR
Programs: UA 1K 1.5MM
Posts: 207
We'll be flying EWR-SYD and back in mid July. Any wisdom here on whether to prefer LAX or SFO for my upgrade chances to/from SYD? Both flights look like they're flying consistently. And all the flights look wide open in J -- so wide open in fact that it might be a safe time to buy a cheapo K fare and plan to spend 320 plus points for two people round trip.
Ordinarily I would avoid SFO because it has more tech company people that buy into J directly, but I don't know if many of those people are getting on planes to SYD yet.
It looks like SFO-SYD is on the 777-300ER, which has more space in J (yay) but the horrible 3-4-3 in Y (boo), compared to the 787-9 for the LAX-SYD. So that would give the edge to the SFO flight because more seats in J.
I guess a secondary consideration is whether I want to fight with those people for the EWR-SFO upgrade, vs what I assume would be an easier EWR-LAX upgrade.
Please let me know if I am leaving out anything important in my comparison.
Ordinarily I would avoid SFO because it has more tech company people that buy into J directly, but I don't know if many of those people are getting on planes to SYD yet.
It looks like SFO-SYD is on the 777-300ER, which has more space in J (yay) but the horrible 3-4-3 in Y (boo), compared to the 787-9 for the LAX-SYD. So that would give the edge to the SFO flight because more seats in J.
I guess a secondary consideration is whether I want to fight with those people for the EWR-SFO upgrade, vs what I assume would be an easier EWR-LAX upgrade.
Please let me know if I am leaving out anything important in my comparison.
Last edited by arma5; Apr 12, 2022 at 7:39 am
Apr 12, 2022, 3:05 pm
#182
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SAN
Programs: 1K (since 2008), *G (since 1990), 1MM
Posts: 3,219
We'll be flying EWR-SYD and back in mid July. Any wisdom here on whether to prefer LAX or SFO for my upgrade chances to/from SYD? Both flights look like they're flying consistently. And all the flights look wide open in J -- so wide open in fact that it might be a safe time to buy a cheapo K fare and plan to spend 320 plus points for two people round trip.
Ordinarily I would avoid SFO because it has more tech company people that buy into J directly, but I don't know if many of those people are getting on planes to SYD yet.
It looks like SFO-SYD is on the 777-300ER, which has more space in J (yay) but the horrible 3-4-3 in Y (boo), compared to the 787-9 for the LAX-SYD. So that would give the edge to the SFO flight because more seats in J.
I guess a secondary consideration is whether I want to fight with those people for the EWR-SFO upgrade, vs what I assume would be an easier EWR-LAX upgrade.
Please let me know if I am leaving out anything important in my comparison.
Ordinarily I would avoid SFO because it has more tech company people that buy into J directly, but I don't know if many of those people are getting on planes to SYD yet.
It looks like SFO-SYD is on the 777-300ER, which has more space in J (yay) but the horrible 3-4-3 in Y (boo), compared to the 787-9 for the LAX-SYD. So that would give the edge to the SFO flight because more seats in J.
I guess a secondary consideration is whether I want to fight with those people for the EWR-SFO upgrade, vs what I assume would be an easier EWR-LAX upgrade.
Please let me know if I am leaving out anything important in my comparison.
Unless I can get the SFO-SYD or SYD-SFO upgrade at time of booking I book LAX-SYD and SYD-LAX. More GS and 1Ks at SFO. LAX other airline options to SYD.
I am someone who (well not during COVID) goes to Australia at least once a year.
Apr 17, 2022, 8:22 am
#183
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum, Raddison Platinum, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 5,271
I ran into a similar issue. If I try a change on the website to my reservation to add a JQ or VA segment, it actually costs less depending when I check. When I call in (because I want to retain my cleared upgrade), #1, it took a while even to find the option, but then they say it will be like $500 extra, #2 they say they can't keep my upgrade.
Though now that I think of it, it may be better if I book JQ/VA on my own. I have no idea what my baggage allowances (carryon, checked) and seat selection would be with what UA books. If I need to add extras, I may not be able to do it online because the ticket isnt booked through them. I know it is alot more when adding at the airport. Booking through UA is about half the cost. Does anyone have any experience with booking JQ or VA via UA? what type of ticket do you get in terms of carry-on, checked bags, seats. I see JQ upsells carry-on size, checked bag, and seats.
EDIT: Based on this Jetstar GDS Guide it sounds like all include a 20kg checked bag but not seat or extra carry-on allowance. I don't know how to decipher VA agency info
Though now that I think of it, it may be better if I book JQ/VA on my own. I have no idea what my baggage allowances (carryon, checked) and seat selection would be with what UA books. If I need to add extras, I may not be able to do it online because the ticket isnt booked through them. I know it is alot more when adding at the airport. Booking through UA is about half the cost. Does anyone have any experience with booking JQ or VA via UA? what type of ticket do you get in terms of carry-on, checked bags, seats. I see JQ upsells carry-on size, checked bag, and seats.
EDIT: Based on this Jetstar GDS Guide it sounds like all include a 20kg checked bag but not seat or extra carry-on allowance. I don't know how to decipher VA agency info
Just to report back, it looks like the VA partnership is delayed. For anyone interested in future JQ bookings, it's not actually as horrible as I thought:
- For me, it was much cheaper to add the JQ flights to my UA ticket. It cost an extra $90 (A fare) where it would have cost around $300 had I booked it via JQ
- JQ charges for any seat assignments. Booking via UA, I am able to choose ANY seat including the expensive "Extra leg room" seats making the prospect of flying JQ a little more comfortable
- JQ limits you to a 7kg carryon (which INCLUDES personal item weight). They charge for checked bags, the lowest you can add is 15kg. Booking via UA includes a 20kg checked bag
- There is of course the added advantage of protection due to misconnection (though who knows what would actually happen in real life) and the ability to cancel all of it and get UA credit back
May 1, 2022, 10:14 pm
#184
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Delaware
Programs: UA Mileage Plus, Amtrak Guest Rewards
Posts: 1,393
MEL service is scheduled got begin one month from today. UA60, SFO-MEL makes it's inaugural re-run on 02-Jun-22, with UA61, MEL-SFO starting on 06-Jun-22. Since these are the first runs, it looks like the plane will be parked there for 2 days. I would have expected they would have sent a crewe down a few days before to bring the plane back on the 4th.
Service is 3X weekly, Westbound departures for UA60 are TuThSa, and Eastbounds on UA61 operate on MoThSa.
Regarding the load for the first flight, UA60(02), the plane looks to be about 30% full, however economy sales have been cut off, only PE and J are available to purchase.
I'd love to hear everyone's comments speculating if the route will begin on time, or if it will be pushed back again. Hopefully UA knows it lost some ground in this market by being absent as AU reopened and realizes it will have to re-build its customer base.
Service is 3X weekly, Westbound departures for UA60 are TuThSa, and Eastbounds on UA61 operate on MoThSa.
Regarding the load for the first flight, UA60(02), the plane looks to be about 30% full, however economy sales have been cut off, only PE and J are available to purchase.
I'd love to hear everyone's comments speculating if the route will begin on time, or if it will be pushed back again. Hopefully UA knows it lost some ground in this market by being absent as AU reopened and realizes it will have to re-build its customer base.
May 2, 2022, 12:33 pm
#185
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,854
Not my speculations but UA's
United Resumes Flights between San Francisco and Melbourne
Photos(1)
Starting this June, United will be the only U.S. carrier to offer nonstop service between Melbourne and the United States
United has been the only airline to offer continuous passenger flights between the U.S. and Australia throughout pandemic and recently announced new codeshare partnership with Virgin Australia
CHICAGO, May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- United today announces the return of its nonstop service between San Francisco and Melbourne, beginning with three weekly flights this June. The restart of this route complements United's existing service between Sydney and the airline's hubs in San Francisco and Los Angeles. United will now be the only U.S. airline to offer nonstop flights from the United States to Melbourne.
"The fact that we retained daily passenger service to Australia throughout the lowest points of the pandemic – and were the only airline to do so – shows our commitment to Australia," said Patrick Quayle, senior vice president of international network and alliances at United. "We are thrilled to resume our San Francisco to Melbourne service and see a bright future ahead for United, for Melbourne and for US-Australia travel."
Since Australia announced in February that the country would open its borders to international travelers after being closed for nearly two years, there has been remarkable growth in travel demand from the U.S. United has more capacity from the United States to Australia than any other U.S. carrier, and the resumption of the airline's San Francisco-Melbourne service will provide customers with even more access to Australia ahead of the busy summer travel period. Additionally, United's recently announced commercial alliance with Virgin Australia will offer further connectivity to top Australian destinations with convenient one-stop flights.
United has worked closely with the Victorian government on the resumption of this service, as well as on broader plans for the market as demand continues to grow.
"We're backing more direct international flights to Melbourne because we know the critical role they play in supporting Victorian businesses and creating jobs," said Martin Pakula, Victorian Minister for Industry Support and Recovery. "Having more direct flights from the U.S. means it is even easier for visitors to come to Victoria and enjoy everything we are famous for – whether that's our major sporting events, food scene or cultural institutions."
United began offering direct service to Melbourne from Los Angeles in 2014 and launched nonstop flights between San Francisco and Melbourne in October of 2019, prior to the onset of the pandemic.
Photos(1)
Starting this June, United will be the only U.S. carrier to offer nonstop service between Melbourne and the United States
United has been the only airline to offer continuous passenger flights between the U.S. and Australia throughout pandemic and recently announced new codeshare partnership with Virgin Australia
CHICAGO, May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- United today announces the return of its nonstop service between San Francisco and Melbourne, beginning with three weekly flights this June. The restart of this route complements United's existing service between Sydney and the airline's hubs in San Francisco and Los Angeles. United will now be the only U.S. airline to offer nonstop flights from the United States to Melbourne.
"The fact that we retained daily passenger service to Australia throughout the lowest points of the pandemic – and were the only airline to do so – shows our commitment to Australia," said Patrick Quayle, senior vice president of international network and alliances at United. "We are thrilled to resume our San Francisco to Melbourne service and see a bright future ahead for United, for Melbourne and for US-Australia travel."
Since Australia announced in February that the country would open its borders to international travelers after being closed for nearly two years, there has been remarkable growth in travel demand from the U.S. United has more capacity from the United States to Australia than any other U.S. carrier, and the resumption of the airline's San Francisco-Melbourne service will provide customers with even more access to Australia ahead of the busy summer travel period. Additionally, United's recently announced commercial alliance with Virgin Australia will offer further connectivity to top Australian destinations with convenient one-stop flights.
United has worked closely with the Victorian government on the resumption of this service, as well as on broader plans for the market as demand continues to grow.
"We're backing more direct international flights to Melbourne because we know the critical role they play in supporting Victorian businesses and creating jobs," said Martin Pakula, Victorian Minister for Industry Support and Recovery. "Having more direct flights from the U.S. means it is even easier for visitors to come to Victoria and enjoy everything we are famous for – whether that's our major sporting events, food scene or cultural institutions."
United began offering direct service to Melbourne from Los Angeles in 2014 and launched nonstop flights between San Francisco and Melbourne in October of 2019, prior to the onset of the pandemic.
May 2, 2022, 2:41 pm
#186
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,024
United has worked closely with the Victorian government on the resumption of this service, as well as on broader plans for the market as demand continues to grow.
"We're backing more direct international flights to Melbourne because we know the critical role they play in supporting Victorian businesses and creating jobs," said Martin Pakula, Victorian Minister for Industry Support and Recovery. "Having more direct flights from the U.S. means it is even easier for visitors to come to Victoria and enjoy everything we are famous for – whether that's our major sporting events, food scene or cultural institutions."
"We're backing more direct international flights to Melbourne because we know the critical role they play in supporting Victorian businesses and creating jobs," said Martin Pakula, Victorian Minister for Industry Support and Recovery. "Having more direct flights from the U.S. means it is even easier for visitors to come to Victoria and enjoy everything we are famous for – whether that's our major sporting events, food scene or cultural institutions."
May 2, 2022, 3:08 pm
#187
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 8,157
The simple fact is that the Australia Government (and Australia as a whole) does owe at least a huge thanks to United for continuing to fly to Australia throughout the pandemic. Yes, it was likely still in UA's best interest (financially) to do so, but the simple fact is that the Australian airlines pulled out at the first hint of a drop in passengers, whilst UA kept flying (almost) every single day of the year, often multiple flights per day. Without these flights Australia would have found itself in a far worse position than it did over the past 2 years!
May 2, 2022, 6:59 pm
#189
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 2.6MM & Lifetime UC, Qantas Platinum, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, HawaiianMiles
Posts: 8,697
May 2, 2022, 8:52 pm
#190
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 8,157
May 4, 2022, 5:47 am
#191
Join Date: May 2017
Programs: United GS & 1MM, Delta Silver, Marriott Ambassador, Hilton Gold
Posts: 65
Jun 2, 2022, 4:38 pm
#192
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 304
Anyone have any insight into if/when the IAH-SYD nonstop is going to resume?
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jun 2, 2022 at 4:59 pm Reason: moved to existing discussion
Jun 3, 2022, 9:53 am
#193
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 8,157
At the moment this route is scheduled to start October 28th. It's already been pushed back at least twice, so only time will tell if that date ends up being correct or not.
Jun 3, 2022, 10:29 am
#194
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 2.6MM & Lifetime UC, Qantas Platinum, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, HawaiianMiles
Posts: 8,697
Jun 3, 2022, 2:48 pm
#195
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Delaware
Programs: UA Mileage Plus, Amtrak Guest Rewards
Posts: 1,393
As info, the first MEL flight, UA60 westbound, is about an hour from landing in MEL. Under normal circumstances the plane would immediately turn around and depart the same morning, however this first aircraft won't depart until Sunday morning (It is currently Saturday morning in MEL now). I suspect they brought.a deadhead crew down so one crew can bring this aircraft back after they rest for 24 hours, and then the other crew can start the normal long layover.
Slightly off topic, but should we still expect the most senior crews on this route? 2/3 of the trips have a 48 hour layover and 1/3 have a 72 hour layover, and I'm assuming most of that is unpaid.
Slightly off topic, but should we still expect the most senior crews on this route? 2/3 of the trips have a 48 hour layover and 1/3 have a 72 hour layover, and I'm assuming most of that is unpaid.