Long flights,heavy doses of jet lag,inconvenient layovers – 10 hours in Guangzhou,never again – are all part of the deal.
United Airlines’ 787-9 Dreamliner touches down in Brisbane for the inaugural BNE-LAX flight.Brisbane Airport
When travelling afar,comfort and convenience can feel like rare commodities,which is why we welcomed the arrival of a new non-stop service connecting Brisbane and Los Angeles this month.
Launched by United Airlines,the flight is scheduled three times a week and will ease the passage of travel for Queenslanders wishing to visit the US – and vice versa.
United Airlines launched a direct flight between late last year. The addition of LA brings the total number of flights between Brisbane and the US each week to 10.
It’s big news for Queensland’s capital – and a sign international markets are taking the city’s growth projections seriously.
“We recognise that cities like Melbourne and Brisbane are really growing cities,” United Airlines regional manager Tim Wallis said.
“We also look at some of those bigger ticket items,like the Commonwealth Games or Olympic Games[as predictors of] growth and opportunity for a market.”
There’s also been a notable gap in the market since Virgin Australia (a partner of United Airlines) entered administration and retired most of its long-haul flights,including a direct Brisbane to Los Angeles service. United hopes to fill this in coming years.
So what about the actual service?
The airliner was a 787-9 Dreamliner,pitched for its improved cabin comfort (read:a smoother flight with less noise and more room).
Nearly two metres of lie-flat sleeping room,a private pod,three-course meal and access to United Polaris lounge are some of the perks.Supplied
These planes are equipped with 48 lie-flat seats in business class,21 in premium plus,39 in economy plus and 149 in economy.
Experiencing air travel with a seat in business class is always going to impress. But there are little touches to United’s Polaris Business Cabin that aim for exceptional.
For starters,the sleeping space is a generous 198 centimetres,built into spacious personal pods that provide privacy throughout the 13 hours-plus flight.
Where an economy flyer might take a gamble on the beef or the chicken,Polaris business class passengers have a gourmet menu from which to choose,featuring dishes such as barbecue beef brisket,grilled ginger chicken breast and roasted Tasmanian salmon. After the mains are cleared,a choose-your-own-adventure dessert cart is rolled out,and complimentary beer,wine and liquor is available throughout.
Matching the larger in-flight entertainment screens is a well-curated list of movies and television shows. This includes a robust selection of trilogies,meaning you can knock out an entireLord of the RingsorMatrixmarathon on the flight over if sleeping isn’t your thing.
Polaris passengers have access to the Air New Zealand lounge at Brisbane,and the United Polaris lounge in LAX,equipped with a bar,private restaurant,buffet and shower suites.
This space is exclusive for business class ticket holders (a strict no-go for hopeful buy-ins),and it’s worth arriving at the airport early to enjoy a pre-flight martini and meal.
United Airlines will offer flights from Brisbane to Los Angeles three times a week until the end of February.Brisbane Airport
In a final bid for excellent service,passengers also have access to the United app. Here you can check in,get boarding passes,receive flight status updates and speak directly with an agent throughout the trip if needed.
The app is touted as one of the best in the industry,and its intuitive design and easy navigation evidence the claim. However,there were difficulties uploading a passport photo for check in,a requirement in and of itself some travellers may take issue with.
It’s hard to fault United’s service,which Wallis said is something the company has worked hard to improve year-on-year. “United today is a very,very different airline to what it was five or ten years ago in terms of product,the customer service and improvements we’ve made,” he said.
United’s Brisbane to LA weekly flights will operate until the end of February,recommencing with another season in late 2024 about October-November.
As expected for peak season travel,flights running until the end of January are priced higher than average,with a one-way economy ticket costing about $1800 and a one-way business class ticket about $8500. Fares are slightly lower in February.
The author flew as a guest of United Airlines.
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