United axes Brisbane-Los Angeles, boosts San Fran flights
The Virgin Australia partner is also scrapping Auckland-LAX flights.
By David Flynn, May 17 2024
Executive Traveller exclusive
Brisbane is fast becoming a major launchpad for flights to the US, with American Airlines and Delta Air Lines respectively taking off for Dallas and Los Angeles at the end of this year.
However, United Airlines has confirmed to Executive Traveller that it won’t be bringing back its seasonal summer (northern winter) service between Brisbane and Los Angeles.
The news will no doubt be a blow to Virgin Australia loyalists hoping for a trip to La La land, given the strong partnership between Virgin Australia and United which includes ‘earn and burn’ on Velocity Points and accruing status credits on UA flights, enjoying access to United Club lounges plus a clutch of priority treatments for travellers and their bags.
That said, San Francisco also has plenty to offer – and United tells Executive Traveller it’s bumping up BNE-SFO from a Boeing 787 to a Boeing 777 to put more seats in the sky.
United's Polaris business class now features bedding from Saks Fifth Avenue.
The 777s features United’s Polaris flatbed business class suites and Premium Plus premium economy recliners, although it lacks the 787’s advanced passenger-friendly features such as lower cabin altitude (which diminishes fatigue and the effects of jetlag) and higher cabin humidity along with reduced cabin noise.
United’s revised schedule also shows no return this year for the seasonal Auckland-Los Angeles service, although Auckland-San Francisco will move step up from three flights per week to a daily service between October 27 2024 and March 27 2025.
Also read: United Airlines / Star Alliance status match targets Qantas
03 May 2021
Total posts 55
United reported very low load factors on the Brisbane to LAX route. I believe around 50%, so makes sense why they’ve chosen to consolidate their operations at SFO. But given that low load factor it will interesting to see whether Delta can operate this route in a more profitable state than United when they begin flights master this year.
18 Mar 2022
Total posts 17
"That said, San Francisco also has plenty to offer"
You Can't be Serious ? Will only be transiting through SF thankfully as SF has totally lost its appeal with most of downtown Union Square almost a "no go" zone and many businesses long departed due to rampant shop lifting, break ins etc, etc.
14 May 2023
Total posts 2
Wondering when are they expecting to make the change from Dreamliner aircraft to 777 as we are booked in September and it still shows as Dreamliner. anybody know
03 May 2021
Total posts 55
According to aeroroutes. 777-200 from 25 October. 777-300ER from 19 December to 5 March.
14 May 2023
Total posts 2
I wonder when this change of aircraft is planned we have a booking in September and it still shows as a Dreamliner not 777.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
04 Nov 2017
Total posts 351
Not overly surprising there, combined with the low AUD and being a non-Queensland Gov't subsidised route, BNE-LAX was the 2nd worst performing only ahead SFO-PPT, iirc. Makes sense for UA to consolidate to SFO.
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