United to Fly to Adelaide

[HS-TQE]

Wow. So much for the US airlines retreating from Australia in the face of lower demand!

UA did pull the 77Ws from the 2nd SYD-SFO (no longer loaded) in favour of the 2nd MNL-SFO.

 

[jpp42]

Wow. So much for the US airlines retreating from Australia in the face of lower demand!

Technically, this is still a slight reduction in overall seats from United -they will no longer have an extra seasonal SYD-SFO flight. This summer just gone there was an extra, 4-times weekly SYD-SFO return on a 777-200 (besides the normal daily 777 service), next year this will replaced by this new SFO-ADL return on a 787-9 - similar capacity but only 3 times weekly.

Definitely a win for United though with the apparent subsidy being received from SA (presume that's what they mean by "historic collaboration" in the press release).

 

[Saab34]

I wonder how long are the SA government incentives/subsidies for the upcoming seasonal ADL-SFO services, at least 3 seasons?

Definitely a service they would never want to lose now so I’d say it will be subsidised for a long time.

 

[Pushka]

Definitely a service they would never want to lose now so I’d say it will be subsidised for a long time.

I heard this will only be a seasonal flight so far. Nov/Dec through to March.

 

[jase05]

I heard this will only be a seasonal flight so far. Nov/Dec through to March.

Which will be good for TDU, LIV Golf, Mad March etc

 

[RegularFlyer70]

Adelaide's becoming a boomtown. Not surprised a US carrier is testing the water

 

[Pushka]

Which will be good for TDU, LIV Golf, Mad March etc

March in Adelaide is the best.

 

[Bundy Bear]

Are they any VA ADL-BNE/SYD/MEL have UA codeshares. I think VA will be happy.
Bit of a shock as QF can’t be bothered with ADL-SIN lets hope QF take notice.

 

[OZDUCK]

I am sure (sarcasm mode engaged) the 'National Carrier' will be eager to fly internationally out of Adelaide now so many overseas airlines do.

 

[Saab34]

Bit of a shock as QF can’t be bothered with ADL-SIN lets hope QF take notice.

They have sort of deserted ADL for a while now.

Seems like A321 to Singapore is probably somewhat going to happen. Did they ever have a ADL-HKG flight?

I’d say AirAsia A321N KUL-ADL would be another goer.

 

[jrfsp]

The State government is offering incentives.
There are a hell of a lot of US travellers to ADL currently as part of our defence projects

Post automatically merged: Apr 3, 2025

I suspect he knew an announcement was imminent

Timing is everything as they say, UK just announcement an inquiry into AUKAUS with geopolitical shifts taking place.....hopefully those french blueprints are still lying around somewhere

 

[jase05]

Seems like A321 to Singapore is probably somewhat going to happen

Yes, that one seems almost over the line.
Was told DEL and Japan are still at negotiation stage but not sure which carriers

 

[kamchatsky]

They have sort of deserted ADL for a while now.

Seems like A321 to Singapore is probably somewhat going to happen. Did they ever have a ADL-HKG flight?

ADL-HKG only served by CX in the past, but was suspended since covid

 

[zainman]

I thought this was an April's fool joke!! Wow. Did not expect!

 

[RooFlyer]

Adelaide's becoming a boomtown. Not surprised a US carrier is testing the water

Welcome to AFF.

I am sure (sarcasm mode engaged) the 'National Carrier' will be eager to fly internationally out of Adelaide now so many overseas airlines do.

But we've been told many times why that won't happen.

 

[jb747]

It would be interesting to know how these subsidies work, and how much they amount to.

 

[Saab34]

It would be interesting to know how these subsidies work, and how much they amount to.

SA gave Tiger a grant of $2.25m last decade to base aircraft there. So they do chuck a bit of cash about.

This is certainly a very significant route for the state so id expect some cash to be thrown around. Now they will certainly want it to return so pending how it performs, which will ultimately determine how much cash they will throw at it for a second run.

Marketing is also another lever SA can use. Expect significant marketing from the tourism bodies.

 

[kgreenuq]

I checked December prices today -- $3500 to $4200 for economy! Wouldn't be many takers at those prices.

 

[HS-TQE]

UA did pull the 77Ws from the 2nd SYD-SFO (no longer loaded) in favour of the 2nd MNL-SFO.

Slight update to this,

UA only just uploaded the 2nd SFO, but is now downgauged to a 772 and is operating on a shorter season from early December, starting off at 3x weekly (ramping to daily from Dec 17) until March when it starts winding down frequencies.

The year round UA863/870 is also getting downgauged to a 772 for NW25/26 per the UA booking engine directly.

The 2nd SFO previously operated for the entire NW season but has been cut back for the upcoming NW season with a smaller aircraft (assumedly in light of the lower than expected loads and are 'right sizing').

 

[levelnine]

I checked December prices today -- $3500 to $4200 for economy! Wouldn't be many takers at those prices.

I'm seeing $3.1K for peak travel December dates (mid December to end December). That's pretty much in line with what you'd expect to pay to the US over Christmas. And non-stop will always command a premium over 1 stop, which is all the competition can offer.