Jun 8, 2022, 9:49 am
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
United Becomes First U.S. Airline to Add New Transpacific Destination Since Pandemic
Photos(1)
Year-round, nonstop service between Brisbane and San Francisco starts in October
United was the only carrier to maintain passenger service between Australia and the U.S. during the pandemic
CHICAGO, June 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- United today announced year-round, nonstop service between San Francisco and Brisbane, becoming the first U.S. airline to add a new transpacific destination to its global network since the start of the pandemic. From Brisbane, United customers will be able to easily connect to nearly 20 other cities within Australia thanks to the airline's new partnership with Virgin Australia. United was the only carrier to maintain passenger service between Australia and the U.S. during the pandemic.
"With United's strong history in Australia – and now with a great partner in Virgin Australia – it's the ideal time for United to expand service to Brisbane as demand for travel continues to grow," said Patrick Quayle, senior vice president of international network and alliances at United. "Throughout the pandemic, we've looked for strategic ways to grow our international network, and we're proud to be the first U.S. airline to put a new dot on our route map across the Pacific."
In addition to the new Brisbane route, United currently flies nonstop to Sydney from San Francisco and Los Angeles and offers nonstop flights between Melbourne and the U.S.
The launch of this route is supported by The Queensland Government's Attracting Aviation Investment Fund, which was established to help rebuild the country's international tourism industry. United's new service will support 385 local jobs and bring an estimated $73 million into the economy. Pre-pandemic, San Francisco was the second largest mainland U.S. inbound passenger market and destination for Queensland travelers. United's hub at San Francisco provides convenient one-stop connections for more than 80 North American destinations.
"This new service from United is a gamechanger for Queensland and we look forward to welcoming guests from across the United network to experience the sunshine, beaches and Queensland's unique outdoor lifestyle," said Gert-Jan de Graaff, CEO, Brisbane Airport Corporation. "Australia is often mentioned as a bucket-list destination for North American travelers, so now is the time for customers to jump on board and see it for themselves."
United's new Brisbane service will operate three times weekly on a 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft that includes 48 lie-flat, United Polaris® business class seats, 21 United Premium Plus® seats, 39 Economy Plus® seats and 149 economy seats. All seats are equipped with seatback on-demand entertainment to help customers pass the time and relax during their travels.
United is the longest serving U.S. carrier in Australia, serving the country for more than 35 years with its first direct service to Sydney in 1986. The airline first began offering nonstop service to Melbourne from Los Angeles in 2014 and recently restarted its San Francisco-Melbourne service this June.
For more information and to book flights, please visit united.com.
Photos(1)
Year-round, nonstop service between Brisbane and San Francisco starts in October
United was the only carrier to maintain passenger service between Australia and the U.S. during the pandemic
CHICAGO, June 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- United today announced year-round, nonstop service between San Francisco and Brisbane, becoming the first U.S. airline to add a new transpacific destination to its global network since the start of the pandemic. From Brisbane, United customers will be able to easily connect to nearly 20 other cities within Australia thanks to the airline's new partnership with Virgin Australia. United was the only carrier to maintain passenger service between Australia and the U.S. during the pandemic.
"With United's strong history in Australia – and now with a great partner in Virgin Australia – it's the ideal time for United to expand service to Brisbane as demand for travel continues to grow," said Patrick Quayle, senior vice president of international network and alliances at United. "Throughout the pandemic, we've looked for strategic ways to grow our international network, and we're proud to be the first U.S. airline to put a new dot on our route map across the Pacific."
In addition to the new Brisbane route, United currently flies nonstop to Sydney from San Francisco and Los Angeles and offers nonstop flights between Melbourne and the U.S.
The launch of this route is supported by The Queensland Government's Attracting Aviation Investment Fund, which was established to help rebuild the country's international tourism industry. United's new service will support 385 local jobs and bring an estimated $73 million into the economy. Pre-pandemic, San Francisco was the second largest mainland U.S. inbound passenger market and destination for Queensland travelers. United's hub at San Francisco provides convenient one-stop connections for more than 80 North American destinations.
"This new service from United is a gamechanger for Queensland and we look forward to welcoming guests from across the United network to experience the sunshine, beaches and Queensland's unique outdoor lifestyle," said Gert-Jan de Graaff, CEO, Brisbane Airport Corporation. "Australia is often mentioned as a bucket-list destination for North American travelers, so now is the time for customers to jump on board and see it for themselves."
United's new Brisbane service will operate three times weekly on a 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft that includes 48 lie-flat, United Polaris® business class seats, 21 United Premium Plus® seats, 39 Economy Plus® seats and 149 economy seats. All seats are equipped with seatback on-demand entertainment to help customers pass the time and relax during their travels.
United is the longest serving U.S. carrier in Australia, serving the country for more than 35 years with its first direct service to Sydney in 1986. The airline first began offering nonstop service to Melbourne from Los Angeles in 2014 and recently restarted its San Francisco-Melbourne service this June.
For more information and to book flights, please visit united.com.
United Announces SFO-Brisbane (BNE), Australia
Jun 8, 2022, 9:54 am
#16
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Formal announcement out
United Becomes First U.S. Airline to Add New Transpacific Destination Since Pandemic
Photos(1)
Year-round, nonstop service between Brisbane and San Francisco starts in October
United was the only carrier to maintain passenger service between Australia and the U.S. during the pandemic
CHICAGO, June 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- United today announced year-round, nonstop service between San Francisco and Brisbane, becoming the first U.S. airline to add a new transpacific destination to its global network since the start of the pandemic. From Brisbane, United customers will be able to easily connect to nearly 20 other cities within Australia thanks to the airline's new partnership with Virgin Australia. United was the only carrier to maintain passenger service between Australia and the U.S. during the pandemic.
...
Full text also in wiki
Interesting note
subsidy?
United Becomes First U.S. Airline to Add New Transpacific Destination Since Pandemic
Photos(1)
Year-round, nonstop service between Brisbane and San Francisco starts in October
United was the only carrier to maintain passenger service between Australia and the U.S. during the pandemic
CHICAGO, June 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- United today announced year-round, nonstop service between San Francisco and Brisbane, becoming the first U.S. airline to add a new transpacific destination to its global network since the start of the pandemic. From Brisbane, United customers will be able to easily connect to nearly 20 other cities within Australia thanks to the airline's new partnership with Virgin Australia. United was the only carrier to maintain passenger service between Australia and the U.S. during the pandemic.
...
Interesting note
The launch of this route is supported by The Queensland Government's Attracting Aviation Investment Fund, which was established to help rebuild the country's international tourism industry. United's new service will support 385 local jobs and bring an estimated $73 million into the economy. ..
Jun 8, 2022, 9:55 am
#17
Join Date: Jan 2007
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United used to fly to Brisbane. It was via Sydney on the 747-400 in the 1990s.
As I recall, Qantas was discussing Brisbane-Chicago (pre-pandemic), so I wonder if that will resurface.
In the 80s, they even used to have transpacific flights from Townsville.
I'm glad to see more flights to Australia, but I wonder if United will be able to compete with the low fares from Jetstar and the better service from Qantas.
Likewise, I'm not sure what sort of business traffic they can find from Brisbane.
As I recall, Qantas was discussing Brisbane-Chicago (pre-pandemic), so I wonder if that will resurface.
In the 80s, they even used to have transpacific flights from Townsville.
I'm glad to see more flights to Australia, but I wonder if United will be able to compete with the low fares from Jetstar and the better service from Qantas.
Likewise, I'm not sure what sort of business traffic they can find from Brisbane.
Jun 8, 2022, 11:54 am
#19
Join Date: May 2007
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Yeah, but every now and then, when a new route or flight is loaded, it is done with PN9 all the way down to I9. Maybe UA has wisened up, because I don't see that on a smattering of dates I've searched so far.
Jun 8, 2022, 12:00 pm
#20
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I've seen that, but not for several years. I think their default load has been updated to full-fare only until they backfill the discount buckets.
Jun 8, 2022, 12:14 pm
#21
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Jun 8, 2022, 1:20 pm
#22
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wow, April 1st? Or real? Let's hope this sticks 
Nice to see another option to Australia and great connections as well with VA to other destinations in Australia from BNE. Going to BNE in early October via SYD ... coming a few weeks too late for me
Nice to see another option to Australia and great connections as well with VA to other destinations in Australia from BNE. Going to BNE in early October via SYD ... coming a few weeks too late for me
Jun 8, 2022, 1:40 pm
#23
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SAN
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Am hoping the BNE flights will bring down prices especially since they are subsidized by the QLD government
Jun 8, 2022, 3:03 pm
#25
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Jun 8, 2022, 4:36 pm
#28
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A lot of seats got snatched up (I saw them going more or less in real time), and then overnight any remaining inventory was predictably zeroed out.
Jun 8, 2022, 6:42 pm
#30
Formerly doc4science
Join Date: Sep 2019
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I have to say UA and Kirby seem to have been doing a great job as of recently. DL is charging an arm and a leg for tickets while suffering operation issues and not fully returning to pre-COVID service. AA is fine, but that's about all. Nothing truly innovative is happening at AA right now. UA on the other hand is clearly more willing to try new INTL routes, has a good hard product, and seems to be the most forward looking with SAF and new aircraft.