Sfo-pek Jun 10!

[ZMAN777]

Just announced today, UAL will begin SFO-PEK June 10 in 777 aircraft. UAL will stop its daily NRT-PEK route. UAL also announced earlier this month it would add a second daily NRT-HNL flight on 777 aircraft. All good news.

Cheers,
Z B)

 

[Cosmo]

With the addition of ORD-KIX, a second HNL-NRT and now SFO-PEK announced within the span of just the past few weeks, it sure looks like United's Pacific traffic (and hopefully its revenues) is quickly returning to pre-war, pre-SARS levels. In fact, once these flights are operating in June, United will be within four (IIRC) flights of its trans-Pacific high point. And assuming that recent traffic growth in the region continues, my guess is that the LAX-HKG nonstop flight will be the next to return to United's Pacific operation. But that's JMHO.

BTW, if anyone wants to see the actual press release regarding the new (actually, resumed) SFO-PEK nonstop service, you can read it here.

 

[boeing787]

I've heard from credible sources (yeah I know doesn't sound to credible) but for what it's worth UAL will continue to grow it's Pacific traffic and route system. Profits are high and they will be leveraging this strength to repel and attack LCC's and other more prestigous carriers. There will be a focus put on China and perhaps Vietnam.

 

[ITRADE]

I definately like the addition of SFO-PEK. I don't like the elimination of the PEK-NRT service. That eliminated by ability to fly IAD-NRT-PEK. BOO!!

Next, consider adding NRT-PVG or ORD-PVG. I would really like that.

 

[Cosmo]

I definately like the addition of SFO-PEK. I don't like the elimination of the PEK-NRT service. That eliminated by ability to fly IAD-NRT-PEK. BOO!!

You can still go IAD/DCA-ORD-PEK on United.

Next, consider adding NRT-PVG or ORD-PVG. I would really like that.

So would United. But the problem is that the number of U.S.-China frequencies that can be operated by U.S. carriers is capped by the bilateral agreement. I don't recall the actual number of frequencies allowed for U.S. carriers, but I do know that United, Northwest, Fedex and Polar Air Cargo are now operating all of the currently-available flights.

 

[ITRADE]

You can still go IAD/DCA-ORD-PEK on United.

That's the flight I normally take, but I sometimes prefer the later departure out of IAD - nonstop to NRT. I've had at least one or two bad weather close calls at ORD that made things a little nerve wracking.

 

[Cosmo]

Sorry, my bad. It's UPS, not Polar, as the fourth U.S. carrier in the market. But that aside, I find it very interesting that two of the four U.S. carriers flying to China are all-cargo operators, and even Northwest operates at least two weekly all-cargo flights to China. Not many markets from the U.S. have such a high percentage of all-cargo flights.

 

[boeing787]

# of frequencies by a U.S. carrier is 21. UAL is maxed due to this agreement. Maybe it will change.