United Airlines’ new Melbourne-San Francisco flights take-off
The nonstop, year-round service between Melbourne and San Francisco will fly three times per week on Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner featuring 252 seats (48 United Polaris business class, 88 Economy Plus and 116 United Economy).
The new route means Australians can now connect to more than 70 one-stop destinations in the U.S. via United’s major San Francisco hub, including New Orleans, Miami, Nashville and Portland, Oregon.
The service is United’s second direct route from Melbourne to the United States, with the other route providing direct, non-stop access to Los Angeles.
“Australia continues to be a strong international market for United, and we are committed to connecting Australians to more destinations in North America,” said United’s director for Australia, New Zealand and Tahiti Sales, Julie Reid.
“We know Australians love San Francisco and are proud we can now deliver Melbournians there in style,” she said.
United flight UA 61 will operate Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, departing Melbourne at 11:30am and arriving at 6:40am the same day. Flights depart San Francisco at 10:45pm on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, and arrive in Melbourne at 9:30am two days later.
The star cabin of the 252-seat Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft that operate the route is United Polaris business class, a reinvention of the airline’s international premium cabin travel experience, offers elevated comfort and service for a restful night’s sleep in the air.
United Economy offers complimentary food, soft drinks, juices, beer and wine, tea, coffee and inflight entertainment. Seats feature an adjustable headrest and seat-back monitor delivering a personal on-demand entertainment system.
The United Economy Plus cabin offers up to five inches of extra legroom. Located near the front of the Economy cabin, the seats give the added benefit of allowing a swifter exit from the plane upon arrival.
United started service to Australia in 1986 and today operates daily non-stop flights from Sydney to its Houston, Los Angeles and San Francisco hubs, plus daily non-stop service from Melbourne to Los Angeles and now thrice-weekly to San Francisco.
All United flights between Australia and the United States are operated by Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.