United is heading back to the city of over 5 million. Having restarted its direct connection between Los Angeles and Melbourne.
United Airlines is heading back to the state of Victoria, having recommended its flights from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL). The airline resumed its connection on October 28th. The airline last operated the route in March 2020, right as the COVID-19 pandemic was starting to cause havoc in the region and before international travel came to an abrupt halt.
United’s schedule to Melbourne
United will operate the route four times weekly before going daily in December. The airline will use its Boeing 787-9 on the route. The schedule is as follows:
SIMPLE FLYING VIDEO OF THE DAY
- UA98, departing Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) at 22:35, arriving at Melbourne Tullamarine International Airport (MEL) at 09:35, two days later
- UA99, departing Melbourne Tullamarine International Airport (MEL) at 11:30, arriving at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) at 06:45 the same day
Those heading from Melbourne to Los Angeles have the opportunity to ‘travel back in time’ during the almost 14-hour flight. United is beefing up its presence in Australia, operating more flights and routes down under than ever before.
Not the only carrier on the route
United will be in direct competition with Qantas (QF), with the Australian airline operating five times a week with its 787-9.
- QF94, departing Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) at 21:05, arriving at Melbourne Tullamarine International Airport (MEL) at 08:00, two days later
- QF93, departing Melbourne Tullamarine International Airport (MEL) at 11:00, arriving at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) at 06:20
United’s big presence in Australia
United is going all in, with six routes to Australia, hoping to cash in on its new partnership with Virgin Australia. United has an equal amount of services as Qantas (six) across the Pacific, three times more than Jetstar (two), and casts a shadow on the rest of the competition, Delta, Hawaiian, and American (all operating one route each).
Photo: Getty Images
Who’s flying where?
Since Australia eased its COVID restrictions, multiple carriers have returned to the country, providing robust international connectivity to a range of destinations. In terms of connections to the USA, these include:
United Airlines
- Houston (IAH) to Sydney (SYD)
- Los Angeles (LAX) to Sydney (SYD)
- Los Angeles (LAX) to Melbourne (MEL)
- San Francisco (SFO) to Brisbane (BNE)
- San Francisco (SFO) to Sydney (SYD)
- San Francisco (SFO) to Melbourne (MEL)
Qantas
- Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) to Sydney (SYD)
- Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) to Melbourne (MEL)
- Honolulu (HNL) to Sydney (SYD)
- Los Angeles (LAX) to Sydney (SYD)
- Los Angeles (LAX) to Melbourne (MEL)
- Los Angeles (LAX) to Brisbane (BNE)
delta
- Los Angeles (LAX) to Sydney (SYD)
American
- Los Angeles (LAX) to Sydney (SYD)
hawaiian
- Honolulu (HNL) to Sydney (SYD)
jet star
- Honolulu (HNL) to Melbourne (MEL)
- Honolulu (HNL) to Sydney (SYD)
United’s partnership with Virgin Australia
The latest alliance partnership between United and Virgin Australia has opened the doors for connections on both sides of the Pacific. United’s extensive reach and network across North America and beyond is perfect for those who are traveling from the expansive network Virgin Australia offers down under.
Photo: Virgin Australia
Frequent fliers with both United’s Mileage Plus, and Virgins Velocity, will reap the benefits from earning reciprocal points, lounge entry, and tier benefits.
Source: Executive Traveller
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