United Airlines to replace B747-400's with B777-200's to Australia from 1/4/14

[Ben W]

This is actually really good news. United will go from having the worst product offering across the pacific to now having possibly the best....or at least on a par with the best. The LAX-MEL flight will also bring fares way lower for QA & VA on that route.

Good news all around for the consumer!

[Ash W]

Sydney isn't much better, though of course flying MEL-SYD-SFO on United one wouldn't have to change terminals or go through immigration in Sydney so that is a bonus.

[Ryan K]

Well, actually they would have to change terminals. UA are cancelling the SYD-MEL-SYD leg of their Australian services when the direct MEL-LAX flights begin.

[Ash W]

Ryan whilst you are correct they are dropping that leg, if you care to follow the conversation back for a few more posts (start reading at post 18) rather than replying to a reply in isolation you would see that somone asked why United doesn't keep SYD-MEL for SFO traffic. The conversation has flowed from there.

[NathanJ]

Amazing news. Out with the old, in with the future!

[Daniel M]

Quite a nice pick across the Pacific for Australians and American's alike - 777, A380 and 787 !

[Brian Hoy]

[Though LAX is an absolute ****hole to get through. Best to go into the US some other way]

Going though TBIT is a pain but like Delta, United use their own terminal "Terminal seven" for United and should make for a much better transit. I usualy only take about 25 to 30 mins to clear a Delta,s Terminal 5.

[James S.]

Really going to miss their 747's super heavy, smokey departures from Sydney. Spotting here gets even more boring.

[Brian Wilkes]

You guys in Sydney dont know how lucky you are with the different variations you get there with the regular services, charters, biz jets and military movements, and you still complain!

[James S.]

Originally Posted by Brian Wilkes

You guys in Sydney dont know how lucky you are with the different variations you get there with the regular services, charters, biz jets and military movements, and you still complain!

I specifically look for more exotic aircraft (Such as the Tu-204 recently which was great) or the classic aircraft. Don't give two hoots about new 787 or A330 service variations. But maybe that appeals to some. With the future loss of the A340-600's of Virgin and Etihad, United's 747's, Qantas having already retired their 767RR's and 734's, Aerolineas Argentinas ceasing services, Korean perhaps not sending their 747-400 after this summer, and Thai perhaps switching to 77W's soon from 744s, to me, that signals a change to more boring aircraft. Sorry, but that's just what I enjoy seeing as a spotter.