United Introduces New Long-Haul Routes Amidst Major Global Expansion

United is making a significant investment in the South Pacific. On Tuesday, the airline declared the ‘largest expansion in South Pacific aviation history,’ increasing its services to Australia and New Zealand by 40 percent, resulting in a total of 66 weekly flights, establishing United as the leading airline to the South Pacific from the United States.

United began revamping its South Pacific network in 2022 after Australia and New Zealand reopened to international travel following nearly two years of pandemic-related border restrictions. Last year, United reinstated its route from San Francisco to Auckland, New Zealand's North Island, and launched direct flights from San Francisco to Brisbane, the capital of eastern Queensland, Australia—both of which have seen strong demand, according to a United representative.

However, this latest expansion is more than just a restoration of pandemic-canceled flights. With this new series of routes, United will operate 70 percent more capacity in New Zealand compared to 2019.

The aim, according to a representative, is also to enhance connectivity to and from the South Pacific via airline partners Air New Zealand (both United and Air New Zealand are members of Star Alliance) and Virgin Australia (United and Virgin Australia entered a codeshare partnership in May 2022). These collaborations also facilitate smoother connections for travelers from Australia and New Zealand to the USA.

United isn’t the only American airline expanding its services to the region. At the beginning of the year, Delta Air Lines announced it will introduce a new nonstop flight from Los Angeles to Auckland, commencing on October 28, 2023.

Traveling from California to New Zealand and Australia requires a significant time commitment, with flights lasting between 13 to nearly 15 hours. However, airlines clearly recognize a growing interest in these long-haul journeys to destinations that were largely inaccessible during the pandemic.

“While flight numbers to regions like Europe and Mexico have actually surpassed pre-pandemic levels, the significant lag has been in Pacific flights. Routes to Asia and Oceania remain down 45 percent compared to the same period in 2019, despite a notable increase in the last few months. There’s still substantial potential for recovery in Australia/New Zealand flights to return to pre-pandemic levels,” says Scott Keyes, founder of Going.com (formerly known as Scott’s Cheap Flights).

The encouraging news, according to Keyes, is that as more airlines restore capacity to Australia and New Zealand, the increased competition should gradually lead to lower prices—at least to some extent.

“Competition is the key factor in driving down flight prices, and the reduction in flight volume has resulted in significantly higher fares to Australia/New Zealand compared to 2019, when roundtrip prices frequently fell below $600,” explains Keyes. “Currently, fares under $1,000 are considered quite good. However, these elevated fares are attracting airlines’ interest and prompting many to add more flights to the region. I anticipate that the increased flight volume will exert downward pressure on prices, resulting in more roundtrip fares below $900, particularly from the Western U.S. But this is a trend that will likely unfold over the next 18 months, rather than an immediate return to 2019 pricing.”

United’s new routes to Australia and New Zealand can now be reserved online or via the United app. They are launching just as winter starts in the United States, marking the beginning of summer in the Southern Hemisphere.

United’s newly introduced flights to Australia and New Zealand

A solitary, twisted tree standing in the middle of Lake Wānaka in New Zealand

Lake Wānaka in New Zealand showcases the stunning landscapes of the South Island.

Photo by Kuno Schweizer/Unsplash

San Francisco to Christchurch, New Zealand

Beginning December 1, United launches the only nonstop flight connecting the U.S. to New Zealand’s South Island. The thrice-weekly service from San Francisco International Airport to Christchurch International Airport will be operated on a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.

Los Angeles to Auckland, New Zealand

Starting October 28, a new United route from Los Angeles to Auckland will complement the existing service from San Francisco. United will operate flights between Los Angeles and Auckland (situated in the northern part of New Zealand’s North Island) four times a week using a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.

Los Angeles to Brisbane, Australia

On November 29, United will commence flights from Los Angeles to Brisbane three times weekly on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.

United’s enhanced service to Australia and New Zealand

Vibrant beach huts dot the shoreline in Melbourne, Australia

United is increasing its capacity to Melbourne this winter.

Photo by Michell Luo/Unsplash

Expanded service from San Francisco to Sydney and Brisbane

Starting October 28, United will provide daily flights between San Francisco and Brisbane on Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and will operate two daily flights between San Francisco and Sydney on Boeing 777-300ERs.

Enhanced capacity to Melbourne

Following an increase in its Melbourne service from 10 to 14 weekly round-trip flights last year (one daily from San Francisco and Los Angeles), United’s San Francisco–Melbourne flights will see a capacity upgrade on October 28. United will introduce its largest aircraft, the Boeing 777-300ER, for this route, adding nearly 100 extra seats on each flight. With this new aircraft, United will provide 65 percent more seating to Melbourne compared to winter 2019.

United introduces additional flights to Asia, Europe, and the Middle East

The new and expanded routes to Australia and New Zealand are part of a broader global service expansion by United. In response to what Patrick Quayle, United’s senior vice president of global network planning and alliances, describes as “unprecedented demand for international travel” this year, United is also adding or reinstating several flights to Asia, including: