News

United to fly B787-9 from LAX to Melbourne

21 Feb 2014 by GrahamSmith

United Airlines will fly a B787-9 Dreamliner non-stop between Los Angeles and Melbourne from October 26.

The US carrier will deploy the aircraft six times weekly between the two cities.

United is the North American launch customer for the B787-9 and the LAX to Melbourne route, which is subject to regulatory approval.

Air New Zealand will start flying the B787-9 from Auckland to Perth 11 days earlier on October 15 (see news, November 7).

The carrier is due to take delivery of the Boeing 787-9 launch aircraft in early 2014, with its inaugural route scheduled to begin on October 15.

Outbound flight 98 will depart Los Angeles at 2230 daily, except for Tuesdays and Thursdays, and land in Melbourne at 0915 two days later. On Thursdays, it will leave LAX at 2130 and arrive in Melbourne at 0815 two days later. The service does not operate on Tuesdays.

Return service 99 will take-off from Melbourne at 1115 daily, except for Thursdays and Saturdays, and arrive at LAX at 0650 the same day. On Saturdays, it will leave Melbourne at 1515 and land in Los Angeles at 1050 the same days. The service does not operate on Thursdays.

Flying times will be approximately 15 hours, 45 minutes westbound, and 14 hours, 35 minutes eastbound.

Jim Compton, United's vice chairman and chief revenue, said: "We are excited about using the newest version of the Dreamliner, the 787-9, to provide nonstop trans-Pacific service to Melbourne.

"Our customers on these new flights will enjoy a more convenient itinerary, as well as improved inflight comfort and amenities.

"At the same time, we will seek to make changes to our Sydney schedule which will enable faster connections via our San Francisco and Los Angeles hubs from points throughout the Americas."

united.com

Graham Smith

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