The largest-ever South Pacific flight network expansion to and from the United States has been announced, giving Australians more options when travelling direct to America, with Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne among the big winners.
Later in 2023, United Airlines will add more direct flights between various locations in California and Australia’s east coast.
United is more than tripling its direct services to Brisbane as part of the expansion.
New Zealand will also benefit from more direct flights to and from the US later this year.
This means the airline’s flights between the US and Australia-New Zealand will increase by 40 per cent.
“This past winter, United enhanced our network and became the largest carrier to the South Pacific region,” said the senior vice-president of global network planning and alliances, Patrick Quayle.
“Now, this upcoming winter, we will expand even further.”
He said United Airlines’ “strong partnership” with Air New Zealand and Virgin Australia provide “unparalleled connectivity”.
Tickets are on sale for passengers to book ahead.
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In 2022, United Airlines became the only airline to offer direct flights between Brisbane and San Francisco.
The airline will increase flights between the cities from October 28, with daily flights between the cities on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.
On November 29, by adding three weekly flights between Brisbane and Los Angeles, United will become the largest carrier between Queensland’s capital and the US.
The airline’s schedule in and out of Sydney will also increase.
Two daily flights between San Francisco and Sydney will commence on October 28.
Last year, United increased its flights between the US and Melbourne from 10 to 14 weekly round trips, with one daily flight from San Francisco and Los Angeles.
From October 28, United Airlines will deploy its largest plane, the 777-300ER to fly between Melbourne and San Francisco, adding almost 100 extra seats to each departure.
More flights out of New Zealand
New Zealand will also benefit from more direct flights to San Francisco and Los Angeles.
To build on its position as the largest US airline to fly to Auckland, United will add four weekly flights to Los Angeles.
The additional flights will take off from October 28.
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United Airlines already offers an Auckland-San Francisco route and will now offer direct San Francisco flights from Christchurch.
Flights from the South Island will begin on December 1, and there will be three weekly offerings.
