United Airlines will begin new non-stop services from Los Angeles to Brisbane later this year, while ramping up its three-per-week service from San Francisco to a daily schedule.
The new flights are part of United’s expansion across the Pacific which includes a new non-stop service between San Francisco and Christchurch starting in December and new direct flights from Los Angeles to Auckland.
The deal struck between Brisbane Airport Corporation, United Airlines and the Queensland Government means the carrier will more than triple the number of United flights between the US and Brisbane, just six months after the airline commenced its first ever services to the State.
Brisbane Airport Corporation CEO Gert-Jan de Graaff said these new services will turbo charge tourism and trade opportunities right across the country.
“Brisbane Airport is the gateway to Australia, offering 24/7 operations and direct connections to 53 domestic destinations, more than any other airport in the country,” he said.
“As Brisbane Airport welcomes more than 75% of all international arrivals into Queensland, partnering with United to increase SFO (San Francisco) frequencies and add new non-stop LAX (Los Angeles) services is terrific news for tourism and hospitality businesses from Coolangatta to the Cape.
“To be announcing six months after the first United flight arrival from San Francisco that it’s already going daily, and that LA is now on Brisbane’s schedule is just mind blowing. It’s better than anything I could have ever predicted in this current global environment.”
Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the United States is one of Queensland’s top five source countries for visitors and growing.
“Our strong trans-Pacific partnership with United and Brisbane Airport is behind the airlines’ decision to fly direct from Los Angeles for the first time from December,” he said.
“This is great news for Queensland tourism operators and the rebuild of our international visitor economy.”
Patrick Quayle, United Airlines’ Senior Vice President of Global Network Planning and Alliances, said the enhanced network will make United the largest carrier between the US and Brisbane.
“Now, this upcoming northern winter, we will expand even further to offer daily flights from San Francisco and a new direct flight from Los Angeles,” he said.
