Inaugural UA 99 MEL-LAX 28/10/2014

[danielc]

I just booked a flight today to the US in Y- which includes the inaugural UA 99 with a connection to the East Coast.

After ticketing I was curious about two things and would like to hear from others:

What is the likelihood that the 787 won't be ready to start the service?

Although flight currently shows plenty of availability, what's the probability the flight will be oversold and compensation offered to take a later flight?

This trip is a holiday so I am quite flexible on travel dates/flights.

 

[markis10]

What is the likelihood that the 787 won't be ready to start the service?
.

Nil, they took delivery overnight of the first and have considerable expertise.

 

[Foreigner]

I just booked a flight today to the US in Y- which includes the inaugural UA 99 with a connection to the East Coast.

After ticketing I was curious about two things and would like to hear from others:

What is the likelihood that the 787 won't be ready to start the service?

Although flight currently shows plenty of availability, what's the probability the flight will be oversold and compensation offered to take a later flight?

This trip is a holiday so I am quite flexible on travel dates/flights.

Are there special fares? $787 suggested as gimmick.

 

[danielc]

Great, thanks for the info.

 

[markis10]

You might want to check seating, the service has been downgraded to a 787-8 for the first few weeks.

 

[danielc]

Thanks for the warning. UA still showing it as a 787-9 but I'll keep an eye out. UA app booking contains my selected seat assignment.

 

[Tannin]

Are there special fares? $787 suggested as gimmick.

Far from it. I got an email announcing this with a promo offer code today, but no details of what the offer actually is, and I checked some itineraries which didn't price out well to my eye. Offer:

Book on united.com by October 5, 2014 and enjoy exclusive savings from October 28, 2014 until June 30, 2015.

 

[danielc]

AU-USA fares definitely nothing special considering Late-Oct/Early-Nov has historically been a time for good deals in past years. Now that UA has upgraded to 777 (and soon to be 787), and considering VA has abandoned MEL-LAX nonstop, I think those sub-$1100 economy fares may be a thing of the past.

 

[TomVexille]

AU-USA fares definitely nothing special considering Late-Oct/Early-Nov has historically been a time for good deals in past years. Now that UA has upgraded to 777 (and soon to be 787), and considering VA has abandoned MEL-LAX nonstop, I think those sub-$1100 economy fares may be a thing of the past.

Unfortunately you're right. UA removing the 747 from the SFO and LAX routes meant a reduction of a couple hundred Y seats in each direction daily.