United to Launch B787-9 Flights Between L.A. and Melbourne; End Melbourne - Sydney Service

United Airlines is to launch nonstop flights between its hub at Los Angeles International Airport and Melbourne, Australia, effective 26 October 2014 (westbound), subject to government approval.

The airline will fly the route six times weekly with Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.

United is the North American launch customer for the 787-9, and this will be its first international deployment of the aircraft type.

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

Flight 98 will depart Los Angeles at 22:30 daily except Tuesday and Thursday and arrive in Melbourne at 09:15 two days later (all times local). On Thursday, flight 98 will depart Los Angeles at 21:30 and arrive in Melbourne at 08:15 a.m. two days later (all times local). The flights to Melbourne will not operate on Tuesdays.

On the return, flight 99 will depart Melbourne at 11:15 daily except Thursday and Saturday and arrive at Los Angeles International Airport at 06:50 the same day. On Saturday, flight 99 will depart Melbourne at 15:15 and arrive in Los Angeles at 10:50 the same day. The flights to Los Angeles will not operate on Thursday.

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

Sydney Schedule Changes

With the launch of nonstop Los Angeles-Melbourne service, United will end service between Melbourne and Sydney. The airline will also seek to retime its daily departures from San Francisco and Los Angeles to Sydney in order to allow a greater range of connections beyond the hubs and to provide more convenient arrival times for customers on connecting flights from Sydney to New York and other East Coast destinations.

United’s Boeing 787-9

The Boeing 787-9 aircraft operating the new Los Angeles-Melbourne service will offer a total of 252 seats – 48 in United BusinessFirst and 204 in United Economy, including 63 Economy Plus seats with added legroom and increased personal space.

The BusinessFirst flat-bed seat reclines 180 degrees and features an on-demand entertainment system with touch-screen monitors. BusinessFirst amenities include power outlets, USB ports and multi-course meals with complimentary premium wines and spirits.

Economy Plus seats offer up to five inches of extra legroom, and both Economy Plus and United Economy seats feature adjustable headrests, power outlets and personal seat-back monitors delivering a multi-channel inflight entertainment system on demand.

United is the 787 North American launch customer and now has nine Dreamliners in its fleet. The airline has a further 56 Dreamliners on order and expects to take delivery of five more from Boeing, including its first two 787-9s, by the end of 2014.