United Airlines is set to launch new flights to Australia and Asia this year as part of a carrier's broader effort to deploy incoming widebody jets to more remote destinations.
The airline on October 26th will begin daily flights using Boeing 787-9 from Hong Kong to both Bangkok, Thailand and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, United said on April 2.
Additionally, on October 25th, the Chicago-based carrier is scheduled to begin his second daily flight using the 777-300ers between San Francisco and Manila, the Philippines.
Then, on December 11th, United began flying three times a week on the 787-9 between Australia's San Francisco and Adelaide, three times a week, making it the first airline to fly directly from the US to the city.
With the addition, United says it offers flights to 17 destinations in the Asia-Pacific region.
The expansion comes as part of an airline push to boost international flights, particularly from the longtime San Francisco hub.
United said on April 3, carrying 20% more seats with San Francisco in 2025 than last year, “reflecting its long-term strategy to reestablish SFO as a global gateway.”
United seats in San Francisco this year will be 6% more than before the pandemic before the previous year.
Last year, United added flights from San Francisco to Mexico's Monterrey and Belize, and is scheduled to begin flights from San Francisco to San Jose, Costa Rico and Panama City, Panama City, in May. With these additions, United will offer nine destinations from Northern California Airport.
United will also fly from San Francisco to eight European destinations.
The carrier has been working to expand its wide body jet fleet in recent years. According to data analytics firm Cirium, United operates the 76 787, 96 777S and 53 767S, and does not have a fulfilling order for the 145 787-9 and 45 Airbus A350.
