United Airlines has by far the most impressive international route network of any US airline. That’s about to get even better, as United has announced its biggest ever expansion to the South Pacific.
United Airlines’ South Pacific expansion
Next winter, United Airlines will have more flights and serve more destinations between the United States and Australia and New Zealand than any other airline in the world (yes, even more than Qantas and Air New Zealand). This comes as the airline is adding 40% more flights between the countries for the upcoming northern winter, for a total of 66 weekly flights.
Let’s go over the full details of what’s being added.
San Francisco to Christchurch route
As of December 1, 2023, United Airlines will add a new 3x weekly flight between San Francisco (SFO) and Christchurch (CHC). The route will be operated by a Boeing 787-8, and it will make United the only airline to fly between the United States and the South Island of New Zealand.
Los Angeles to Auckland route
As of October 28, 2023, United Airlines will add a new 4x weekly flight between Los Angeles (LAX) and Auckland (AKL). The route will be operated by a Boeing 787-9, and it will complement United’s existing service from San Francisco to Auckland. This route is also served by Air New Zealand and Delta, and American flies seasonally from Dallas to Auckland.
Los Angeles to Brisbane route
As of November 29, 2023, United Airlines will add a new 3x weekly flight between Los Angeles (LAX) and Brisbane (BNE). The route will be operated by a Boeing 787-9, and it will complement United’s existing service from San Francisco to Brisbane. United will be competing with Qantas in this market.
More frequencies in existing markets
In addition to adding new routes, United will also increase frequencies in existing markets:
- As of October 28, 2023, United will fly daily between San Francisco and Brisbane using a Boeing 787-9, up from 3x weekly service last winter
- As of October 28, 2023, United will fly twice daily between San Francisco and Sydney using a Boeing 777-300ER, up from once daily last winter
- As of October 28, 2023, United will fly daily between San Francisco and Melbourne using a Boeing 777-300ER, representing a capacity increase over the Boeing 787-9 used last winter
My take on United Airlines’ Australia & New Zealand expansion
United Airlines’ international route network is in a league of its own as far as US airlines go, and this is the latest example of that.
This is smart seasonal aircraft deployment, given the lack of demand in so many long haul markets during the northern winter. While airlines can fly endless planes to Europe in the northern summer, deploying wide body jets profitably in winter is a different story.
On some level this is probably partly possible thanks to the partnership between United and Virgin Australia, which provides domestic and regional feed in Australia, especially beyond Brisbane and Melbourne. Virgin Australia dumped Delta in favor of United, and that seems to have been a smart move.
Furthermore, it’s especially impressive to see how United is beating both American and Delta:
- On the surface American has the most potential in the South Pacific, given that the airline has a joint venture with Qantas; therefore it’s so disappointing the extent to which American barely even tries in the South Pacific
- At this point Delta is such a distant third in the South Pacific, as the airline doesn’t have any partnerships there, but rather just has interline agreements
Bottom line
United Airlines’ latest big international expansion is in the South Pacific, and next winter the airline will operate 66 weekly flights to Australia and New Zealand. United deserves a lot of credit for its growth in the region, and also for poaching Virgin Australia from Delta. I’m guessing that was a smart move for Virgin Australia as well, as United is actually willing to be aggressive with international expansion in the South Pacific, unlike Delta.
What do you make of United Airlines’ South Pacific expansion?
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