UA additions to AKL/CHC and BNE

[docjames]

United apparently announcing new routes at 0830ET (US) 18/3 - rumours include AKL, and more Aus flights.

 

[HS-TQE]

Could potentially be BNE-LAX/SFO split ops (X3 weekly from each on alternating days).for 6 weekly all up.

The BNE-LAX route may not be funded by the Queensland Government due to the existing QF competition, which may mean UA are willing to take a financial risk beyond the funded BNE-SFO by trying to capture the ex-VA BNE-LAX market (if they hadn't defected to other options already)

The other candidate is possibly expanded NZ operations as part of the NZ/JV. With reports NZ are facing a WB shortage, LAX-AKL and/or LAX-CHC are not out of the question either.

Heart would say LAX-CHC and LAX-BNE, my head would tIp LAX-AKL and one of CHC/BNE.

 

[pangwen]

Could potentially be BNE-LAX/SFO split ops (X3 weekly from each on alternating days).for 6 weekly all up.

The BNE-LAX route may not be funded by the Queensland Government due to the existing QF competition, which may mean UA are willing to take a financial risk beyond the funded BNE-SFO by trying to capture the ex-VA BNE-LAX market (if they hadn't defected to other options already)

The other candidate is possibly expanded NZ operations as part of the NZ/JV. With reports NZ are facing a WB shortage, LAX-AKL and/or LAX-CHC are not out of the question either.

Heart would say LAX-CHC and LAX-BNE, my head would tIp LAX-AKL and one of CHC/BNE.

Maybe it's the dreamer in me but if BNE-LAX is ineligble for funding, perhaps they may opt for BNE-ORD. I haven't heard much from QF about this route recently.

Interesting to note that the Brisbane Airport CEO was quoted as saying this in April 2022:

"Qantas' longstanding commitment to the state has always reflected its origins as a Queensland airline," he said. "Prior to the pandemic, plans were well advanced on direct services to San Francisco and Chicago. We hope to see these plans become a reality once again, later this year."

In the end UA was the one that brought San Francisco flights to reality later in 2022.

 

[HS-TQE]

Maybe it's the dreamer in me but if BNE-LAX is ineligble for funding, perhaps they may opt for BNE-ORD. I haven't heard much from QF about this route recently.

Interesting to note that the Brisbane Airport CEO was quoted as saying this in April 2022:

In the end UA was the one that brought San Francisco flights to reality later in 2022.

I don't think UA has any premium configured 787-9s (or 8s) to enable a BNE-ORD non-stop. Same reason why any potential PER-SFO route would be unlikely.

UA's current 787 configs will likely be payload restricted to enable ULR routes, which wouldn't be economical.

Potential funding from the states also wouldn't cover the payload hit either.

 

[HS-TQE]

Ahead of tomorrow morning's (AEST) official UA announcements and the respective organisations in Christchurch / Queensland.

LAX-AKL 4 weekly from 28 Oct
SFO-BNE to daily from 28 Oct, scheduled daily 789 (currently mixed 788/789)
LAX-BNE 3 weekly from 28 November
SFO-CHC 3 weekly from 1 December

United Strengthens Oceania Service Offering in NW23 — AeroRoutes

Published at 1225GMT 18APR23 United in Northern winter 2023/24 season is strengthening service to Australia and New Zealand, as the Star Alliance carrier as of 1200GMT filed following service additions, subject to government approval. Operational schedule below is effective between December 2023 a

www.aeroroutes.com

 

[HS-TQE]

X-Posted from Travel News.

Additions are 3 weekly LAX-BNE and 3x weekly SFO-CHC from November/December.
SFO-BNE gradually ramped up to daily and LAX-AKL reintroduced as additional capacity to the NZ/UA JV.

United Strengthens Oceania Service Offering in NW23 — AeroRoutes

Published at 1225GMT 18APR23 United in Northern winter 2023/24 season is strengthening service to Australia and New Zealand, as the Star Alliance carrier as of 1200GMT filed following service additions, subject to government approval. Operational schedule below is effective between December 2023 a

www.aeroroutes.com

 

[HS-TQE]

Official News Presser now out:

https://www.united.com/en/us/newsroom/announcements/cision-125268

 

[HS-TQE]

It seems the new LAX daily is split between AKL and BNE. Both have the same 2100 departure timings out of LAX, but different arrival times on the return.

The previously announced 77Ws for SYD and MEL to SFO (plus the upcoming double daily SYD) for 21x weekly will also meet freight demand. The 77W is a freight machine when in the right config.

 

[pangwen]

SFO-BNE gradually ramped up to daily

Interesting- I imagine UA aren’t getting any further govt funding to ramp up (otherwise there would be a media release from the govt about that) so perhaps they are seeing enough demand for this route to stand on its own feet.

 

[docjames]

CHC is an interesting choice over AKL. Presumably they have enough market info that pax either directly or eventually make their way to the South Island and there’s more competition to AKL.

Hope it works for them. And the CHC residents will be happy to for the direct option to the US with having to go via AKL

VA carried BNE-LAX 6/wk so presumably as activity normalises there must be some demand there for 3/wk.

 

[pangwen]

Interesting- I imagine UA aren’t getting any further govt funding to ramp up (otherwise there would be a media release from the govt about that) so perhaps they are seeing enough demand for this route to stand on its own feet.

Apparently the AAIF did chip in after all:

Queensland Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the deal, secured as part of the $2b aviation war chest designed to bring more flights to our four international airports, represented a huge opportunity with one of the world’s biggest travel markets.

 

[HS-TQE]

Interesting with the AAIF (SFO) funding, Would've thought Queensland went the split x4 SFO/x3 LAX schedule, would've been a cheaper use of Public/Private funding (only needing to fund the extra SFO frequency) and left more funds for other opportunties.

 

[HS-TQE]

A joint press release from Christchurch City Council and Christchurch Airport welcoming the new CHC-SFO flights. The flights will be secured for the NW 2023/2024 season and will operate for 4 months (between the start December and end of March).

Flights from Christchurch to San Francisco will take off this summer

Get ready to fly direct from Christchurch to San Francisco this summer!

newsline.ccc.govt.nz

 

[docjames]

Note also that SYD-SFO now double daily and MEL-SFO has had a capacity upgrade (787 to 773ER).

 

[HS-TQE]

BAC Press Release on the new Brisbane to Los Angeles, USA services. Also briefly mentions the revised (assuming AAIF) deal between UA, BAC and the Queensland Government covering the SFO increases.

Tourism Boost: New flights between the USA and Brisbane

Brisbane Airport’s (BNE) international flight capacity received a major boost today with the announcement that United Airlines will commence brand new non-stop services from Los Angeles (LAX) later this year, while ramping up its popular three-per-week service from San Francisco (SFO) to a daily...

newsroom.bne.com.au

 

[Kiwi_Flyer]

CHC is an interesting choice over AKL.

UA already has SFO-AKL.

 

[HS-TQE]

Brisbane Airport flashback: UA's first run in BNE - the 3x weekly BNE-SYD-LAX tag that operated on and off between 1991 and mid 1994.

https://www.facebook.com/BrisbaneAirport/posts/pfbid0QzpA3x4cbMv3ZF3SSK1zFUtyvnAszzh7HPb8ZUkgp9FpbtqCaYm7bLUYUtsSf4Hel