United Airlines to Resume San Francisco - Melbourne Flights in June

(03 May 2022, 12:13 +07)  United Airlines has unveiled plans to resume nonstop flights between San Francisco (SFO) and Melbourne (MEL), Australia.

The service is scheduled to commence with thrice weekly flights beginning in June.

The route complements United's existing service between Sydney and the airline's hubs in San Francisco and Los Angeles.

United Airlines Boeing 787-8 reg: N30913. Picture by Steven Howard of TravelNewsAsia.com

"We're backing more direct international flights to Melbourne because we know the critical role they play in supporting Victorian businesses and creating jobs," said Martin Pakula, Victorian Minister for Industry Support and Recovery. "Having more direct flights from the U.S. means it is even easier for visitors to come to Victoria and enjoy everything we are famous for – whether that's our major sporting events, food scene or cultural institutions."  

United began offering direct service to Melbourne from Los Angeles in 2014 and launched nonstop flights between San Francisco and Melbourne in October of 2019, prior to the onset of the pandemic.

The airline's recently signed commercial alliance with Virgin Australia enables further connectivity to top Australian destinations with convenient one-stop flights.

"The fact that we retained daily passenger service to Australia throughout the lowest points of the pandemic – and were the only airline to do so – shows our commitment to Australia," said Patrick Quayle, senior vice president of international network and alliances at United. "We are thrilled to resume our San Francisco to Melbourne service and see a bright future ahead for United, for Melbourne and for US-Australia travel."