United Airlines Cuts Australia Flights from Major US Hubs

United Airlines is set to reduce its flight frequencies and capacities to Australia from its West Coast hubs in San Francisco and Los Angeles, starting at the end of October. This reduction includes changes in aircraft deployment and also affects flights from its hub in Houston.

Currently, United operates daily flights between San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD). Typically, an additional daily flight is added for the winter season. However, the second daily flight will now operate only four times weekly, from December 20th to March 5, 2025, rather than beginning in November. The route, which usually utilizes Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, will be downgraded to the smaller Boeing 777-200ER, reducing the number of seats per flight by 74.

The Boeing 777-300ER, United’s largest aircraft by passenger capacity, accommodates 350 passengers across three classes, including 60 Polaris lie-flat seats and 24 Premium Plus seats. In contrast, the Boeing 777-200ER has a total capacity of 276 passengers, featuring 50 Polaris seats and 24 Premium Plus seats.

In addition to the San Francisco-Sydney route, United will maintain its daily nonstop flights between SFO and Melbourne Airport (MEL) with the 787-9 Dreamliner, reversing a previous plan to switch to the 777-300ER. The 787-9 Dreamliner, United’s second-largest but most popular variant, has a capacity of 257 passengers, resulting in a reduction of 93 seats per flight from the original capacity plan.

From Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), United will cut back its frequencies to Melbourne from daily to three times weekly starting in November. This change results in a total of 26 flights for the month. Additionally, United will reduce its daily flights between George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and Sydney to three weekly flights in November and December.

Despite these reductions, United's Australia network remains significant compared to its U.S. legacy counterparts, American Airlines and Delta Air Lines. United continues to operate six routes to Australia, five of which are year-round, maintaining its competitive edge in the region.