United set to fly MEL-SFO

UNITED Airlines has announced a further expansion of its Australasian network, with plans to launch direct services between Melbourne and San Francisco from Oct next year.

The new route has been revealed as part of the carrier’s largest international expansion from its San Francisco hub, which will also include the upgrade of Auckland’s seasonal service to year-round operations.

The Melbourne flights will operate three times per week and will join United’s existing services between the Victorian capital and Los Angeles.

The carrier also flies non-stop services between Sydney and San Francisco, Los Angeles and Houston, with all Australian services currently operated by Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.

“This route expansion solidifies United’s position at San Francisco as the gateway airline serving destinations across the Pacific, the continental United States, as well as to Europe and beyond,” said United CEO Oscar Munoz.

Other additions from the San Francisco hub include a seasonal service to New Delhi, a second daily service to Seoul and the upgrade of a seasonal Papeete service to year-round.

The carrier’s year-round Auckland services will be operated by Boeing 777-200ER aircraft from 30 Mar, flying three times per week.

United also recently announced flights from SFO to Amsterdam.