What is the future of Hong Kong in the United’s Asia Route Network? Alternatives?
Jun 1, 2022, 12:53 pm
#31
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The real question to me is what Asian hub(s) UA will use to serve onward *A carriers. They've moved out of NRT for HND for a number of flights, and SIN isn't great to then backtrack. ICN is Skyteam dominated because of Korean Air (esp. if Asiana purchase goes through). PEK is unattractive as hub. Gonna be a challenge and seems likely to be a grab bag depending on where you're going.
Jun 1, 2022, 1:18 pm
#33
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Agree, and would add I don't think HKG as a tourist destination will ever recover...they'll be afraid to go there. First, SARS, then the crackdown, then COVID.
Jun 1, 2022, 1:37 pm
#34
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I was on the last ORD to HKG United flight. This was during the height of the democratic protests and crackdown. I counted eight of us out of forty business seats. The flight attendant said I could have any or all of the meals, maybe the best service I ever received on a flight. I will miss hiking up Victoria Peak.
Jun 1, 2022, 1:58 pm
#35
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Jun 1, 2022, 2:35 pm
#37
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I was on the last ORD to HKG United flight. This was during the height of the democratic protests and crackdown. I counted eight of us out of forty business seats. The flight attendant said I could have any or all of the meals, maybe the best service I ever received on a flight. I will miss hiking up Victoria Peak.
Jun 1, 2022, 2:49 pm
#38
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FWIW UA wanted to open a PL at HKG but I think we all know that one isn't gonna happen even pre-pandemic given the protests and situation before it, and it doesn't look good for the LHR or NRT locations either considering UA removed the mention of those on their Polaris tracker.
Jun 1, 2022, 3:46 pm
#39
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FWIW UA wanted to open a PL at HKG but I think we all know that one isn't gonna happen even pre-pandemic given the protests and situation before it, and it doesn't look good for the LHR or NRT locations either considering UA removed the mention of those on their Polaris tracker.
LHR makes sense regardless, assuming they're going to keep building these lounges.
NRT is a bit oddball given they're now splitting flights with HND - which one would they build?
Jun 1, 2022, 3:54 pm
#40
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Non-sequitur, but the next Polaris Lounge to open is going to be DEN. I do not see offshore Polaris Lounges opening any time soon.
Jun 1, 2022, 3:56 pm
#41
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Jun 1, 2022, 4:10 pm
#42
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As an aside, I miss those Asia-GUM flights. I made use of both PVG and HKG to Guam and it was a nice getaway for whenever I wanted to experience a bit of Americana without the long haul. CPU was always guaranteed as well on those routes! Obviously, now, no airlines will be adding China flights for a long time.
Jun 1, 2022, 4:12 pm
#43
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Getting OT but I guess they can convert the GF lounge at LHR to a Polaris one and keep the UC as a *G in Y lounge as well as UC members. For TYO, I'm guessing NRT for the same reason given that UA has the 3rd floor as the former GFL.
Jun 1, 2022, 4:23 pm
#44
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A question is does UA need a single asian hub? Why?
There are 3-4 viable "focus cities" (NRT/HND/TPE/SIN? even HKG, PVG, . ...) where UA customers can then connect to a secondary destination use *A partners. UA does not seem interested in any fifth freedom flights and with 787s, is more focused on long thin flights than heavy lift flights needing a collector hub to justify.
The concept of an Asian hub isn't needed for UA.
And with some diversification UA becomes a bit more immune to local impacts.
There are 3-4 viable "focus cities" (NRT/HND/TPE/SIN? even HKG, PVG, . ...) where UA customers can then connect to a secondary destination use *A partners. UA does not seem interested in any fifth freedom flights and with 787s, is more focused on long thin flights than heavy lift flights needing a collector hub to justify.
The concept of an Asian hub isn't needed for UA.
And with some diversification UA becomes a bit more immune to local impacts.