United to partner with Virgin Australia -- UA elite benefits starting 23 May 2022
#31
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 19,798
Yes, it has the potential to change travel between the US and OA since VA has dropped all long haul flying. As a result VA is now reliant on their US partner for all connectivity to/from the US. DL is only flying one flight, LAX-SYD. DL onward connections from LAX are limited unless you add two connections involving an additional DL hub. UA will first give VA pax more flight choices from SYD and MEL and much better connectivity within the US, especially from SFO or IAH. UA historically flies far more people into OZ than DL, if VA coordinates well they should pick up the lion's share of onwards domestic connections on the OZ side.
VA is emerging from bankruptcy and needs to focus on their core business. From their side I can see why they are looking for a partner who will deliver the most passengers into their domestic system. DL with one flight a day is of limited benefit.
VA is emerging from bankruptcy and needs to focus on their core business. From their side I can see why they are looking for a partner who will deliver the most passengers into their domestic system. DL with one flight a day is of limited benefit.
#32
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: SQ, QF, UA, CO, DL
Posts: 2,851
Short answer- yes. Long answer subject to memory loss: DL LAX-SYD daily. UA LAX-SYD daily, SFO-SYD daily, SFO-MEL daily, IAH-SYD 4X weekly. I am not sure about LAX-MEL. Hopefully someone will chime in with the correct info!
I think it is important for Australia to have two viable airlines. When VA was flying to the US the DL partnership worked to some degree. But with VA's bankruptcy and restructuring they will drop all long haul. They now need a US partner who will deliver passengers to them and a partner who wants to work with them. OZ seems to be more of an after thought to DL, a check-the-box type of destination as in yeah, we fly there, too.
I think it is important for Australia to have two viable airlines. When VA was flying to the US the DL partnership worked to some degree. But with VA's bankruptcy and restructuring they will drop all long haul. They now need a US partner who will deliver passengers to them and a partner who wants to work with them. OZ seems to be more of an after thought to DL, a check-the-box type of destination as in yeah, we fly there, too.
#33
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 19,798
Short answer- yes. Long answer subject to memory loss: DL LAX-SYD daily. UA LAX-SYD daily, SFO-SYD daily, SFO-MEL daily, IAH-SYD 4X weekly. I am not sure about LAX-MEL. Hopefully someone will chime in with the correct info!
I think it is important for Australia to have two viable airlines. When VA was flying to the US the DL partnership worked to some degree. But with VA's bankruptcy and restructuring they will drop all long haul. They now need a US partner who will deliver passengers to them and a partner who wants to work with them. OZ seems to be more of an after thought to DL, a check-the-box type of destination as in yeah, we fly there, too.
I think it is important for Australia to have two viable airlines. When VA was flying to the US the DL partnership worked to some degree. But with VA's bankruptcy and restructuring they will drop all long haul. They now need a US partner who will deliver passengers to them and a partner who wants to work with them. OZ seems to be more of an after thought to DL, a check-the-box type of destination as in yeah, we fly there, too.
#34
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: SQ, QF, UA, CO, DL
Posts: 2,851
Years ago VA had bigger aspirations so having a US partner with limited flights to Oz but ability to do onward connections in the US did not seem like a bad fit. That would be my guess.
I'll add that for a company that has been around for 20 years they have had about 100 years worth of boardroom drama. I am glad they are still around, but also surprised they are still around.
I'll add that for a company that has been around for 20 years they have had about 100 years worth of boardroom drama. I am glad they are still around, but also surprised they are still around.
#35
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Floating around
Programs: UA 1K (1MM), DL Gold (1MM), Marriott LTT
Posts: 10,329
Short answer- yes. Long answer subject to memory loss: DL LAX-SYD daily. UA LAX-SYD daily, SFO-SYD daily, SFO-MEL daily, IAH-SYD 4X weekly. I am not sure about LAX-MEL. Hopefully someone will chime in with the correct info!
I think it is important for Australia to have two viable airlines. When VA was flying to the US the DL partnership worked to some degree. But with VA's bankruptcy and restructuring they will drop all long haul. They now need a US partner who will deliver passengers to them and a partner who wants to work with them. OZ seems to be more of an after thought to DL, a check-the-box type of destination as in yeah, we fly there, too.
I think it is important for Australia to have two viable airlines. When VA was flying to the US the DL partnership worked to some degree. But with VA's bankruptcy and restructuring they will drop all long haul. They now need a US partner who will deliver passengers to them and a partner who wants to work with them. OZ seems to be more of an after thought to DL, a check-the-box type of destination as in yeah, we fly there, too.
-RM
#36
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 20,923
I used to keep tracked of USA<--->AU routes, Had this at 15 Mar 2020, but may not be correct
United UA (LAX - MEL, LAX SFO IAH SYD) (SFO - MEL from 31 Oct 2019)[Star Alliance].Reduced service IAH-SYD & LAX-SYD March 29 through October 25 2019
United UA (LAX - MEL, LAX SFO IAH SYD) (SFO - MEL from 31 Oct 2019)[Star Alliance].Reduced service IAH-SYD & LAX-SYD March 29 through October 25 2019
#37
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SYD
Programs: UA GS, BA Gold, Marriott Titanium/LT Plat, IHG Gold, National Exec Elite, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,419
This is amazing news. I keep (BA) OneWorld status, so that I get lounge access on QF for domestic trips. It will be great to have VA lounge access as well.
This will give me an additional luggage allowance on domestic Australian flights, something I don't get on QF with BA status.
This will give me an additional luggage allowance on domestic Australian flights, something I don't get on QF with BA status.
#38
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: CHS/LIN/IBZ
Programs: DL 2MM/DM, Hilton LT Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Marriot Titanium
Posts: 558
#39
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 39
UA did team up with the low cost carrier Virgin Blue in Australia (predecessor to Virgin Australia) with a simple interline and codeshare partnership. Whilst UA fliers were able to burn miles on Virgin Blue and get extra legroom seats on the LCC, VB passengers were not able to do the reverse on Virgin Blue Velocity.
The then-Virgin Blue CEO Brett Godfrey ended the UA codeshare in favour of the DL partnership and JV when he and Branson set up V Australia for their own Australia-USA flights. VA also had VX as a second USA partnership until VX were merged into AS.
The then-Virgin Blue CEO Brett Godfrey ended the UA codeshare in favour of the DL partnership and JV when he and Branson set up V Australia for their own Australia-USA flights. VA also had VX as a second USA partnership until VX were merged into AS.
#40
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Floating around
Programs: UA 1K (1MM), DL Gold (1MM), Marriott LTT
Posts: 10,329
I used to keep tracked of USA<--->AU routes, Had this at 15 Mar 2020, but may not be correct
United UA (LAX - MEL, LAX SFO IAH SYD) (SFO - MEL from 31 Oct 2019)[Star Alliance].Reduced service IAH-SYD & LAX-SYD March 29 through October 25 2019
United UA (LAX - MEL, LAX SFO IAH SYD) (SFO - MEL from 31 Oct 2019)[Star Alliance].Reduced service IAH-SYD & LAX-SYD March 29 through October 25 2019
-RM
#42
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: HHonors Diamond
Posts: 731
#43
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Bellingham/Gainesville
Programs: UA-G MM, Priority Club Platinum, Avis First, Hertz 5*, Red Lion
Posts: 2,808
Having traveled intra-australia a lot over the past 20 years I can say that having a UA reciprocal partner is definitely a benefit. Aside from the initial awkward Intl-domestic transfer issue (SYD has separate terminals in which require a bus or taxi or train unless you are interlining) there is the issue of domestic travel once you are there. During the Ansett days it was great having the lounge and *G priority access with ticketing, seating, etc. Now you have to deal with cabin baggage issues, long check in queues, buy your way into lounges etc. unless you have status via QF or partners etc. My projects had me doing a lot of domestic australia flying so that was a useful benefit. Whether it means much for MP earnings or not is a TBD/YMMV scenario. Most of the fares in Aus. are quite reasonable though, particularly if they offer passes.
#44
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 20,923
offish topic
So fly into MEL where no such issues exist Some people chose to transit AKL (Air NZ - Star Alliance) instead of SYD if going to an AU airport other than SYD or MEL
So fly into MEL where no such issues exist Some people chose to transit AKL (Air NZ - Star Alliance) instead of SYD if going to an AU airport other than SYD or MEL
#45
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Bellingham/Gainesville
Programs: UA-G MM, Priority Club Platinum, Avis First, Hertz 5*, Red Lion
Posts: 2,808
Yes Mel is better but that assumes you are flying south. Doesn't always make sense for a north coast or qld conx.