United Airlines to increase flights to Australia and New Zealand

UNITED BOEING 787-9 N29978 (MSN 66137)

United Airlines has announced plans to increase its flight operations between the US and Australia and New Zealand by nearly 40%. This winter, the airline aims to run 66 weekly flights across these regions.

The expansion plan includes a new non-stop service from San Francisco International Airport (SFO/KSFO) to Christchurch International Airport (CHC/NZCH) in New Zealand, commencing on the 1st of December. United intends to operate this route three times a week using a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, becoming the sole airline to provide a direct link between Christchurch and the US.

Furthermore, United is looking to introduce four additional weekly flights from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX/KLAX) to Auckland Airport in New Zealand (AKL/NZAA) starting on the 28th of October, and three weekly flights from Los Angeles (LAX/KLAX) to Brisbane Airport (BNE/YBBN) in Australia beginning on the 29th of November. These routes are expected to be serviced by Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners.

All new flights, including those from San Francisco to Christchurch, Los Angeles to Auckland, and Los Angeles to Brisbane, are pending government approval. In addition, United is set to launch daily services between San Francisco and Brisbane, as well as twice-daily services between San Francisco and Sydney, starting on the 28th of October.

Currently, United operates thrice-weekly flights from San Francisco to Brisbane and daily flights to Sydney. The airline also aims to increase its seat capacity on flights from San Francisco to Melbourne, Australia, by deploying its largest aircraft, the 777-300ER, which will add approximately 100 seats per day starting on the 28th of October.

Last winter, United Airlines was the leading carrier connecting the US with the South Pacific, offering 512,715 seats, marking an 18% increase from 2019, as reported by the aviation blog Simple Flying.