United Launching Los Angeles To Beijing Flights?
Updated: Dec 19, 2024
Intro
This post has been updated to reflect that this flight is now on sale.
United is known to have the largest long-haul footprint of any carrier in the West, and it might just be getting even larger. As United fliers probably know, the airline recently launched nonstop service from Los Angeles to Shanghai, but now the capital of China might just be in the pipeline.
The Details
United Airlines has very recently filed with the DOT requesting permission to fly three times weekly from Los Angeles (LAX) to Beijing (PEK). The route would be operated Westbound on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, while Eastbound flights would operate on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Mondays with the following schedule:
Los Angeles-Beijing departing 11:10 PM arriving 4:45 AM +2 days
Beijing-Los Angeles departing 12:00 PM arriving 9:35 AM
United plans to operate a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, the staple of their ULR fleet, on the 6250-mile flight. At the moment, United currently operates daily nonstop service from its hub in San Francisco to Beijing with a 777-300ER (rumor has it upgrades are easy to clear), meaning United may serve both major west coast cities to Beijing.
At the moment, only Air China operates the Los Angeles to Neijing route with thrice-weekly service utilizing a 777-300ER.
My Thoughts
At this very moment in time, I have no plans to travel to China, so this doesn't affect me personally. However, United Airlines' rapid expansion all around the world is vitally impressive. Considering that no other US carrier has dared to touch the low demand in the Chinese market, United may very well end up operating up to 10x weekly flights from the US to Beijing.
Now, my only small issue with this route addition is that 48 more passengers will have to be accommodated in the Polaris Lounge at LAX (updated review coming very soon) during the evening bank of departures. Considering that nighttime departures can include Polaris flights to Melbourne, Sydney, Hong Kong, and now Beijing, it could create serious overcrowding if all the passengers wanted to grab dinner in the Polaris Lounge.
Los Angeles is one of the most competitive airports since the big 3 US run a large operation. United seems to be leaning towards holding the majority of the stakes here, and I wouldn't be surprised to see them be the main carrier at LAX in the next 10 years.
Final Thoughts
United Airlines has just filed with the DOT seeking permission to fly from Los Angeles to Beijing thrice weekly. While this isn't yet confirmed, I wouldn't be surprised to see this route get added. Another win in the United books, and during the winter, the airline has plenty of extra widebodies to deploy on more or less experimental routes.
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