United Airlines is bringing back its mini-hub at Hong Kong, with flights to Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City as part of a Pacific boost at the end of 2025.
SFO
Archer, Southwest tie up for (maybe eventual) eVTOL connections
A potential partnership with Southwest Airlines is the latest in a series of major moves for Archer Aviation’s plans towards operating in California.
Hawaiian’s 787 flights now on sale
Hawaiian Airlines will launch regularly scheduled services on its new 787-9 fleet in April 2024. The carrier loaded the first flights for sale, serving routes between the Islands and the mainland west coast.
United (finally) launches San Francisco-Manila service
United Airlines has wanted to fly nonstop to Manila from the mainland for years. Starting this winter, the carrier will finally do so. As part of an expansion of its Pacific operations, United will add service from San Francisco beginning 29 October 2023.
United plans major growth for Australia, New Zealand
United Airlines will dramatically boost capacity to Australia and New Zealand later this year, aiming to take advantage of a rebound in international travel and strengthening partnerships along the way.
Bamboo Airways delays US launch plans
Vietnam’s Bamboo Airways now aims to launch service to the United States “at the end of December 2021.” The carrier previously indicated a goal of Q3 2021, but still awaits approval from the US Department of Transportation to operate flights to the USA.v
United makes it official: JFK is back on the route map
Come February 2021 United Airlines will once again be able to say it serves all three major New York City Airports. The carrier will launch transcon service from JFK to its hubs at San Francisco and Los Angeles on the first of the month.
Bamboo Airways pushes towards US service
Bamboo Airways moved two steps closer to launching US service from Vietnam this week, though the timing for an inaugural flight remains reasonably far away.
United Airlines introduces at-airport COVID testing for SFO-Hawaii flights
As the largest carrier between the mainland and Hawaii United Airlines has a lot to gain by increasing passenger numbers to the islands. Quarantine restrictions limited the viability for most visitors over the summer but a new policy allowing passengers with a negative COVID test to skip the quarantine could help boost traffic. United will soon offer testing at San Francisco International Airport to help meet that requirement.
Air China aims to slash US services
Air China wants to radically alter its route network to the United States. Facing a dramatic drop in traffic, as well as restrictions around passengers who can be admitted to the USA, the carrier is proposing to slash the cities served and the flight frequencies. It also is seeking a rather unconventional overall operational plan.