United re-launches LAX-MEL route 787-9 from October

[Aussie_flyer]

I spoke to a UA FA in Shanghai last year and she said the routes to Australia were very popular among crew - they get to choose based on seniority, so she said she chooses PVG and SYD/MEL the most. She was nice and was outraged by the presence of obese FAs in the airline, but it does raise the risk of gruff older cabin crew who are beyond caring running the services.

So for MEL pax who want to go to SFO now, will UA put pax on a QF MEL-SYD connection or UA LAX-SFO?

It will depend on the fare rules, at the moment UA does offer fares out of places like BNE and ADL as well as MEL with either QF or VA connections to SYD.

 

[RooFlyer]

I spoke to a UA FA in Shanghai last year and she said the routes to Australia were very popular among crew - they get to choose based on seniority, so she said she chooses PVG and SYD/MEL the most. She was nice and was outraged by the presence of obese FAs in the airline, but it does raise the risk of gruff older cabin crew who are beyond caring running the services.

<snip>

Exactly my experience when flying F on UA TPAC last year. I'm in my 50s and can say without shame that the FAs in the cabin were old! And they sure seemed beyond caring.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

maybe the mods could fix the typo on this thread title

 

[TomVexille]

Since this flight is only 3 times a week in each direction, does that mean the SYD-MEL tag will continue the other 4 days?

 

[markis10]

Since this flight is only 3 times a week in each direction, does that mean the SYD-MEL tag will continue the other 4 days?

Its six times per week, similar to what they did in 2009
UA098 LAX2130 – 0815+2MEL 789 4
UA098 LAX2230 – 0915+2MEL 789 x24


UA099 MEL1115 – 0650LAX 789 x46
UA099 MEL1515 – 1050LAX 789 6

 

[gwilli1]

Just beat me too it markis10

Its six times per week, similar to what they did in 2009
UA098 LAX2130 – 0815+2MEL 789 4
UA098 LAX2230 – 0915+2MEL 789 x24


UA099 MEL1115 – 0650LAX 789 x46
UA099 MEL1515 – 1050LAX 789 6

 

[TomVexille]

Its six times per week, similar to what they did in 2009
UA098 LAX2130 – 0815+2MEL 789 4
UA098 LAX2230 – 0915+2MEL 789 x24


UA099 MEL1115 – 0650LAX 789 x46
UA099 MEL1515 – 1050LAX 789 6

Sorry, I misread that. Let me rephrase. Does that mean no service to MEL Thursdays?

 

[markis10]

Sorry, I misread that. Let me rephrase. Does that mean no service to MEL Thursdays?

Yes, tag flights are gone.

 

[soorox]

Sorry, I misread that. Let me rephrase. Does that mean no service to MEL Thursdays?

Yes, as UA will only operate the new MEL-LAX service x6 Weekly and not daily, however the flight should go daily around december apparently.

 

[TomVexille]

Flights were bookable as of last night.*

*with a disclaimer stating "subject to govenrment approval"

 

[smit0847]

Flights were bookable as of last night.*

*with a disclaimer stating "subject to govenrment approval"

Has any award availability been loaded yet? It might be handy for some people wanting a last bite of the USDM cherry.

 

[TomVexille]

Has any award availability been loaded yet? It might be handy for some people wanting a last bite of the USDM cherry.

Good point. Checking now...

 

[TomVexille]

I'm seeing standard awards

 

[smit0847]

I'm seeing standard awards

US blogs reporting excellent award availability in Dec.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

US blogs reporting excellent award availability in Dec.

Won't last long now though lol

 

[Myrna]

Has any award availability been loaded yet? It might be handy for some people wanting a last bite of the USDM cherry.

I managed to get 2 J seats for sister & BiL from LAX to SYD (777) and MEL to LAX (787) in December with USDM to visit their daughter in Sydney (no seat availability from SYD to LAX so decided to try MEL to LAX). I had to call over 2 days - Saturday and Sunday - numerous calls (just got messages over and over), no answer from 15 mins to over an hour. Hubby said I should not give up. So, yesterday afternoon on the 4th call after 2hrs 15mins, an agent answered and got flights booked in 10 mins. Cost 220K USDM for 2 J pax plus about $350 taxes. Simple itin, no stopover.

 

[QF029]

There's some pretty good Y fares to LAX in November (~$1135). I couldn't see any J inventory but will look again.

 

[Scarlett]

So what is the aircraft going to do on the 'seventh day'? Will they just park it up in MEL for 24hrs or does it travel on elsewhere like NZ and beyond?

Its six times per week, similar to what they did in 2009
UA098 LAX2130 – 0815+2MEL 789 4
UA098 LAX2230 – 0915+2MEL 789 x24


UA099 MEL1115 – 0650LAX 789 x46
UA099 MEL1515 – 1050LAX 789 6

 

[markis10]

So what is the aircraft going to do on the 'seventh day'? Will they just park it up in MEL for 24hrs or does it travel on elsewhere like NZ and beyond?

The aircraft turn around and operates a service home, it it does not operate on the second day there is no return on the 4th day.

 

[Scarlett]

Well, of course. *forehead slap*