United Airlines will become the first U.S. carrier to add a new Transpacific destination since the start of the pandemic with new year-round nonstop service between San Francisco and Brisbane, Australia from October 2022.
On Wednesday (June 8, 2022), United Airlines announced the launch of new year-round nonstop service between San Francisco and Brisbane, Australia from October 2022. With the new route, United becomes the first U.S. airline to introduce a new transpacific destination since the start of the pandemic. Additionally, travelers will enjoy seamless onward connections via Brisbane to nearly 20 other cities with United’s partner, Virgin Australia. Complementing the upcoming Brisbane route, United currently offers nonstop service from Sydney to Los Angeles and San Francisco, as well as direct service between Melbourne and the U.S.
In Today’s route announcment, United Airlines’ Senior Vice President – International Network and Alliances, Patrick Quayle, said,
“With United's strong history in Australia – and now with a great partner in Virgin Australia – it's the ideal time for United to expand service to Brisbane as demand for travel continues to grow. Throughout the pandemic, we've looked for strategic ways to grow our international network, and we're proud to be the first U.S. airline to put a new dot on our route map across the Pacific.”
Also commenting on United’s new service, Brisbane Airport Corporation’s CEO, Gert-Jan de Graaff, said,
“This new service from United is a gamechanger for Queensland and we look forward to welcoming guests from across the United network to experience the sunshine, beaches and Queensland's unique outdoor lifestyle. Australia is often mentioned as a bucket-list destination for North American travelers, so now is the time for customers to jump on board and see it for themselves.”
United will operate the route between San Francisco and Brisbane three times weekly with a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner configured with 48 lie-flat United Polaris® Business Class seats, 21 United Premium Plus®, 39 Economy Plus®, and 149 Economy Class seats. United Airlines has served Australia for over 35 years, with the launch of direct service to Sydney in 1986. In 2014, the carrier added new nonstop service between Los Angeles and Melbourne, and recently resumed San Francisco-Melbourne service.
United Airlines’ shared purpose is “Connecting People. Uniting the World.” In 2019, United and United Express® carriers operated over 1.7 million flights carrying over 162 million guests. United Airlines operates the most comprehensive network among North American carriers with mainland U.S. hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. Shares in the company’s parent, United Airlines Holdings, Inc., are publicly traded on the NASDAQ under the symbol ‘UAL.’
Source: United Airlines