Why has United Airlines announced plans to increase Lso Angeles to Sysdney service instead of San Francisco to Sydney! Los Angeles seems to be less and less of importance in the United Airlines system over the years with the booming growth at SFO!

SFO is seeing additional international service being launched, so UA may not have the available gates to launch an extra 744 a day to SYD. I don't know what service levels NZ flies between LAX-SYD and SFO-SYD, but until they install suites in First Class, UA will be the preferred Star Carrier for Australia in that class of service, so UA may see some additional revenue options from LAX - especially with p.s. service launching to JFK.

Two possible reasons I can think of:

1) SFO slots are subject to control. As SEA_Tigger pointed out, there may not be slots available for this additional service, especially rumors call for SFO-Nagoya services to be launched sometimes in the late fall.

2) Similar reasons as the launching of P.S. services between LAX and JFK - entertainment industry. All the major Hollywood studios are now making movies in Australia to take advantage of lower cost and less restricted union rules in the movie industry. Typically the movies are made during the summer season down under. I have a friend who is in the Art Direction side of movie business, is planning to be in Australia in the winter months (North America) to work on movie projects.

[QUOTE=SEA_Tigger] .... I don't know what service levels NZ flies between LAX-SYD and SFO-SYD, but until they install suites in First Class, UA will be the preferred Star Carrier for Australia in that class of service ...

I think UA will probably remain the preferred carrier even after NZ revamps it's premium cabin with lie-flat beds. The new product will be a preminum Business Class using Virgin Airlines lie-flat seats. So the NZ product between the US and NZ will only be a 2 class service. If people are interested, more can be found in the NZ forum.

I'm almost positive that SFO is not slot controlled (isn't it only DCA and maybe LGA that are in the US?). SEA_Tigger was talking about availability of gates.

At 10PM at night??? that terminal is somewhat empty - surely they can handle another aircraft? Are there that many other airlines (other than SQ) operating at that hour?

wouldn't that also suggest a return to AKL?

(LOTR reference)

Remember QANTAS has 3 flights to SYD and 2 flights to MEL and BNE (1 each respectively) so the market for LAX/USA -SYD/AUS is very strong. I really hope they keep this second flight.

LESS union rules in Australia than anywhere in the US? Even Germany has less union regulation than Australia - no offence. But it's ways cheaper, you are right.

To SEA_Tigger's point:
> I don't know what service levels NZ flies between LAX-SYD and SFO-SYD
They still offer a F cabin on the LAX-AKL (at least they did 2 months ago) on NZ 002 and NZ 006. but of course they killed the non stop SYD-LAX and the AKL-SYD is a two class with near domestic seat comfort. So no match for UA's toys.

The SYD-LAX NZ 9840 is a UA codeshare.

Maybe aircraft routing meant an available 747 in LAX that could be used?

I'll give a possible explanation from the "other side"

The common perception in Australia, is that to get to the USA, the (only) way to go is via LAX.

I remember 12 years ago when I took my first trip, I was surprised that UA flew to SFO.

Even on my last trip back home, my family couldn't get their heads around the idea that I had flown via SFO - constantly mentioning my return trip (how long will you stop over in Los Angeles???).

I'm not sure how many UA fliers are OZ-US-OZ rather than the vice versa, but that's a possible reason....

That might be worth knowing. In either case it's many, many. Whenever (well, not always but often) the UA desk in Sydney denies you a reasonable request they like to mention that Australia has the highest 1K density per capita. No idea if that can be true but it sounds so intuitive, given that you have to fly at least 7400 miles to get to the US...
Still I think it's a charming and smart excuse.

Yes, Many Asian/Pacific and Latin airlines depart in the late evening from San Francisco!


Air New Zealand - 945pm - Auckland
Asiana - 100am - Seoul
Cathay Pacific Aiways - 125am - Hong Kong
China Airlines - 105am - Taipei
EVA Airways - 130am - Taipei
Mexicana Airlines - 110am - Mexico City
Phillippine Airlines - 1030pm - Manila
Singapore Airlines - 135am - Hong Kong
TACA - 110am - San Jose, CR

I'm fairly sure there is more O&D traffic on LAX-SYD than on SFO-SYD. And it's not like SFO has that much more feeder service than LAX for the nighttime outbound.

As in, "Don't try to flaunt your status with ME, Buster, because that will get you nowhere!" ???