United Launching 787-10 Dreamliner on Newark-LAX and SFO
Later this year, United will take delivery of its first extended-length Dreamliner, the Boeing 787-10. With a maximum range of 7,400 miles, the larger -10 isn't capable of operating the airline's longest international flights, so it's a better pick for hops to Europe, and even some premium routes within the US.
On Monday, United shared plans to launch its first 787-10 on January 7, 2019. And rather than introduce the plane on long-haul routes, the -10 will initially fly between Newark (EWR) and Los Angeles (LAX), followed by Newark and San Francisco (SFO).
The 787-10 is the first Dreamliner to offer United's new Polaris business-class seat, with 44 available on each plane. There are 21 Premium Plus (premium economy) seats as well, plus 54 Economy Plus seats and 199 coach seats.
At launch, Premium Plus will be sold as Economy Plus (and available free of charge to elites), though United may eventually begin offering full premium-economy service on these transcon routes.
Note that while the seat map is loaded with the correct business-class arrangement, Premium Plus seats don't yet appear.
Just one 787-10 will be used at first, operating a single daily round-trip. The inaugural flight is scheduled to depart LAX at 8:15am on January 7, 2019, with the -10's return leg departing Newark at 6:00pm the same day. While the outbound flight is filling up, as of this writing, there's currently one remaining upgrade or saver award seat available on the return from EWR.
With the 787-10 joining United's premium transcon service, the airline will offer three distinctly different seats between Newark and LAX/SFO. The 787-10 will sport the new Polaris 1-2-1 business seat, the 757-200s will continue to operate with United's ex-Continental 2-2 business seats and the 777-200s will have the airline's original lie-flat business product, with a super-narrow 2-4-2 arrangement. See our guide to "Every United Business-Class Seat Ranked From Best to Worst" for more on what to expect.
The airline will be increasing premium-route frequencies as well — with new boosted service, there will be 12 flights to LAX and 15 to SFO, with more than 700 additional seats available each day during the peak summer months.
Next summer, United will operate the following schedule between Newark and LAX:
| City | Departure | City | Arrival | Aircraft |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Newark | 6:00am | Los Angeles | 9:04am | 757-200 |
Newark | 7:00am | Los Angeles | 9:49am | 787-10 |
Newark | 8:50am | Los Angeles | 11:43am | 777-200 |
Newark | 10:00am | Los Angeles | 1:04pm | 757-200 |
Newark | 11:00am | Los Angeles | 1:48pm | 757-200 |
Newark | 1:00pm | Los Angeles | 3:48pm | 757-200 |
Newark | 3:00pm | Los Angeles | 6:09pm | 757-200 |
Newark | 4:00pm | Los Angeles | 6:53pm | 787-10 |
Newark | 5:00pm | Los Angeles | 8:09pm | 757-200 |
Newark | 6:00pm | Los Angeles | 9:09pm | 757-200 |
Newark | 7:00pm | Los Angeles | 10:09pm | 757-200 |
Newark | 8:00pm | Los Angeles | 11:04pm | 757-200 |
Meanwhile, here's the peak summer schedule for flights to SFO:
| City | Departure | City | Arrival | Aircraft |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Newark | 6:00am | San Francisco | 9:14am | 757-200 |
Newark | 7:00am | San Francisco | 10:14am | 757-200 |
Newark | 8:15am | San Francisco | 11:27am | 777-200 |
Newark | 9:30am | San Francisco | 12:36pm | 777-200 |
Newark | 11:00am | San Francisco | 2:18pm | 757-200 |
Newark | 12:00pm | San Francisco | 3:18pm | 757-200 |
Newark | 2:00pm | San Francisco | 5:18pm | 757-200 |
Newark | 3:00pm | San Francisco | 6:09pm | 777-200 |
Newark | 4:00pm | San Francisco | 7:13pm | 787-10 |
Newark | 5:00pm | San Francisco | 8:30pm | 757-200 |
Newark | 6:00pm | San Francisco | 9:40pm | 757-200 |
Newark | 7:00pm | San Francisco | 10:40pm | 757-200 |
Newark | 8:00pm | San Francisco | 11:40pm | 757-200 |
Newark | 9:00pm | San Francisco | 12:18am | 757-200 |
Newark | 10:00pm | San Francisco | 1:18am | 757-200 |
United will be offering almost hourly departures during peak times, with a total of 27 daily flights between the New York City area and LAX and SFO — more than any other airline flying between those cities. Note that the schedule will be adjusted seasonally, and we may see fewer flights on weekends as well.
It's not unusual for airlines to introduce new planes on shorter domestic flights — giving more crews an opportunity to become familiar with the aircraft — before moving them to long-haul routes. United confirmed that the 787-10 is a permanent addition, however, so it'll remain on Newark-LAX/SFO routes indefinitely.
Finally, as part of today's announcement, United announced plans to add an additional nine 787-9s to the fleet, with deliveries beginning in 2020. Those additional planes will be used to replace aging wide-body aircraft, and will eventually bring the total Dreamliner fleet to 64.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
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- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.