Aircraft
United Launches World’s Longest Dreamliner Flight
Service competes directly with Qantas A380.
United Airlines has amended its order for 787 Dreamliners to acquire new 777-300ERs. (Photo: United Airlines)
United Airlines has amended its order for 787 Dreamliners to acquire new 777-300ERs. (Photo: United Airlines)

United Airlines began flying the world’s longest regularly scheduled Dreamliner route on Sunday with its launch of nonstop service between Los Angeles and Melbourne with its first Boeing 787-9. The route keeps the newest Dreamliner model airborne for some 15 hours, 45 minutes westbound, and 14 hours, 35 minutes eastbound. Carrying 252 passengers, United’s 787-9s fly the service six times a week, competing directly against Qantas Airbus A380s. United’s entry into the Los Angeles-Melbourne market follows almost immediately after Virgin Australia’s withdrawal. Virgin Australia stopped flying Boeing 777-300ERs between Melbourne and Los Angeles in a move to consolidate its 777 operation into Brisbane and Melbourne and allow it to launch daily service between Brisbane and Los Angeles on Sunday.