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United to launch 3 new long haul flights from San Francisco

Portland, Oregon
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United to launch 3 new long haul flights from San Francisco
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One of these was announced 2 weeks ago but didn't make it to this forum. All three services will be operated on the 787 Dreamliner (Boeing version).

SFO-Tel Aviv starts March 30, 2016 with 3x weekly

SFO-Auckland starts July 1, 2016 with 3x weekly, expanding to daily from October 2016

SFO-Xi'an starts May 8, 2016 with seasonal 3x weekly. This was announced on Sept 22nd.

The SFO-AKL service will be "in partnership" with Air New Zealand (NZ). NZ had previously vetoed UA operating to New Zealand under their code share agreement. I can only assume that they've relented in return for NZ launching AKL-IAH.

It looks like UA is putting those 787s to good use and going for ultra long haul business on new routes.

Edited: 8 years ago
Houston, Texas
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for Solo Travel, Houston
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1. Re: United to launch 3 new long haul flights from San Francisco
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Any idea what the movie selection will be next March? Also, how many drink trolley runs? jk..... ;)

Seattle, Washington
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2. Re: United to launch 3 new long haul flights from San Francisco
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And what about seating? Which are best?

Phoenix, Arizona
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3. Re: United to launch 3 new long haul flights from San Francisco
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I did not see anything about the meals being served, or if unlimited Guinness draught will be provided. Can you please update us?

Actually, that SFO-AKL service sounds good - regardless of the movies, the seating or the Guinness!

I am a tad surprised that I did not see those new routes on the UA international map in "Hemispheres." Usually, they show a dashed red line, several months out. Maybe the art department was too busy with new photos of Oscar M?

Thanks,

Hunt

Seattle, Washington
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10,856 posts
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4. Re: United to launch 3 new long haul flights from San Francisco
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^^^^^

Well Bill, if your "friend" happens to take this route, and can't get enough drinks, please come back and tell us all about it!

San Francisco...
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5. Re: United to launch 3 new long haul flights from San Francisco
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I for one am excited about the AUK flight on the Dreamliner and when I book that one, I will be first to ask questions similar to Gracie, Bk and well as Hunt. I also understand that people who fly the dreamliner have to book seats 90 days from their return .

I'm still trying to figure out the difference between extra space and extra legroom seats. Also I understand if you upgrade to windows 10, you cannot print your boarding pass.

The Dreamliner bathroom seats and flush position needs to be asked about as well.

But back on topic thanks for the update USBT.

By the way I hear you have already booked your ticket on AI's new SFO-DEL flight on December 2nd :-)

Edited: 8 years ago
Houston, Texas
Destination Expert
for Solo Travel, Houston
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23,656 posts
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6. Re: United to launch 3 new long haul flights from San Francisco
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I agree - very positive moves.

Portland, Oregon
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7. Re: United to launch 3 new long haul flights from San Francisco
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"By the way I hear you have already booked your ticket on AI's new SFO-DEL flight on December 2nd :-)"

======

Not sure about that one. It's on the 77L which is pretty old and AI only has two left in the fleet. Plus I need to get to/from BLR and I'd prefer the overnight at BOM coming off the UA, instead of getting to BLR at very late o'clock (which would still be the case with the AI). And unless they code share with UA I need my PQDs (my company only books me into coach).

I know that United is eyeing up more non stops to India on our favorite aircraft including SFO-BLR, which would be a big win. But they're currently hamstrung as Lufthansa has a veto over (any more) beyond-Europe flights as part of the UA-LH joint venture, and with LH in not very good shape right now they don't want to cede the US-India traffic. Although they appear to have relented over TLV I doubt they'll do so re India where they're getting hammered by the Gulf carriers. So United will have to wait for either Lufty to get better or get worse and drop their BLR service, or for the next renewal of the JV.

San Francisco...
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8. Re: United to launch 3 new long haul flights from San Francisco
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I enjoyed the Air NZ flight to AKL last time but with UA and the Dreamliner it has to be good.

Edited: 8 years ago
Phoenix, Arizona
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9. Re: United to launch 3 new long haul flights from San Francisco
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<<but with UA and the Dreamliner it has to be good.>>

I keep waiting for Thomsons to file a law suit against any OTHER airline, flying anything close to a "Dreamliner." I am thinking that UA's 739 ER fleet, with "Dreamliner lighting," might be a target too?

Hunt

East Maitland...
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10. Re: United to launch 3 new long haul flights from San Francisco
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So from what I'm reading, the Dreamliner is the plane to look for when taking a long haul flight from down under? Even in economy?

Also is the 90 day seat booking a Dreamliner thing? From reading posts over the last few months I though it was an airline condition not the aircraft itself.....

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