United to launch Auckland-San Francisco flights with Boeing 787
By Chris C., October 9 2015
United Airlines will kick off flights to New Zealand next year with a new non-stop service between Auckland and San Francisco.
Beginning at three-times-weekly from July 3 2016 with a Boeing 787-8, that ramps up to daily service and the larger Boeing 787-9 from October 30 2016: complementing Star Alliance member Air New Zealand’s existing flights between the two cities.
“United Airlines' return to the New Zealand market will be great for travellers in both directions, and will provide a welcome boost to tourism in New Zealand,” said Air New Zealand CEO Christopher Luxon.
“We look forward to building an even stronger partnership with United, and to working together with United to further build this market.”
United’s Auckland flights also provide a new one-stop option for Aussies heading to San Francisco and then beyond, who can fly with Air New Zealand between Auckland and the likes of Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide, before flying onwards to SFO with United.
UA916 departs Auckland at 1:20pm to reach San Francisco at 6:40am the same day, while on the return UA917 is wheels-up at 10:45pm for a 6:55am landing in Auckland two calendar days later.
You’ll find ‘BusinessFirst’ at the pointy end of United’s Dreamliners: its flagship business class product with fully-flat beds stretching to 198cm long in a 2-2-2 configuration…
'BusinessFirst' on United's Boeing 787-9s, which comes in a 2-2-2 configuration
… while inflight Internet connectivity is already available on every United Boeing 787-9 and is scheduled to be fitted to all of United’s Boeing 787-8 fleet by May 2016.
Review: United B787 BusinessFirst review: Melbourne-Los Angeles
United currently uses the Boeing 787-9 aircraft on its daily flights between Melbourne and Los Angeles, and will switch its flights from Sydney to both Los Angeles and San Francisco to the Dreamliner from March next year.
Meanwhile, Oneworld alliance competitor American Airlines is too eyeing up flights between Auckland and the USA, while Qantas is resuming its own Sydney-San Francisco flights from December 2015.
Read: Qantas Sydney-San Francisco flights now on sale
Follow Australian Business Traveller on Twitter: we're @AusBT
Chris is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.
02 Jan 2013
Total posts 140
This is great new however UA are not reknowned for sticking to future plans especially 9 months out.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
19 Feb 2014
Total posts 439
Air New Zealand and United....like comparing chalk and cheese when it comes down to their product.
I've said it before and I'll say it again....United, you deserve to lose customers when you insult a brand new aircraft with a product from the 90s.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
15 Dec 2014
Total posts 284
A competitor finally on ANZ's monopoly, but won't make too much of a difference besides some true Americans hopping on their national carrier.
As Chris_PER said like chalk and cheese..
12 Jun 2013
Total posts 732
Shrug, if they can undercut NZ's prices then that's good news for everybody.
Besides, in economy, is a nine-abreast 787 better or worse than a ten-abreast 777? I guess NZ at least makes up for it by feeding you.
02 Jan 2013
Total posts 140
I think the advantages UA have over ANZ is they have "Economy Plus" and are generally cheaper then ANZ in most cases. If I was on a budget I'd much prefer an Economy Plus Seat on a Dreamliner then being crammed in a 10 Abreast 77W. Also the retun flight to SFO arrives at 6.30am which means easier connections.
20 May 2015
Total posts 579
I am tempted to agree with you, but United's "Economy Plus" is still 9-abreast on the 787 and thus the seat width is only 0.1" wider than a 10-abreast 777. You get extra legroom, but that's it. Taller passengers may elect for it over ANZ economy though.
If their Economy Plus were 8-abreast (thus allowing 19" seats), I could absolutely see it as filling a market niche. But in its current state, it is basically "pay extra for only three inches more legroom." Taller passengers who are willing to tolerate crappy service may buy it but that seems a rather small market segment.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
15 Dec 2014
Total posts 284
UA are also deploying the 787 out to Tel Aviv
Air New Zealand - Airpoints
04 Sep 2012
Total posts 136
Well this has shaken up NZ's monopoly on thier North American operations. As Chris_PER said, the onbaord products are miles apart; however I'd assume UA will have lower fares?
I still avoid UA when connecting in USA and prefer to use NZ's partner Virgin America anyway.
Is this a "Stay Away American Airlines" ploy? Both *A carriers versus AA? Have to wait and see... contentious?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 May 2011
Total posts 362
I doubt this will stop AA/QF alliance commencing NZ-USA. They have their own agenda and don't think they give a toss what NZ/UA do.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
18 May 2015
Total posts 43
Its great when you have this story straight after the Finnair story and have a look at the photos to compare the business class product.
Wow United, that photo of the seats looks like its from the archives
Hi Guest, join in the discussion on United to launch Auckland-San Francisco flights with Boeing 787