United Airlines plans new Hong Kong, Tel Aviv routes from Chicago
United Airlines plans to launch two new routes to Hong Kong and Tel Aviv in September, as the carrier continues to slowly return to long-haul international markets even as the coronavirus pandemic shows no signs of abating.
The Chicago-based Star Alliance carrier will offer its first-ever nonstop between Chicago O'Hare (ORD) and Tel Aviv (TLV) from September, United said. The flights will operate three-days-a-week on a Boeing 787-9 jet outfitted with 48 business class and up to 209 economy seats.
In addition, United will relaunch nonstop service between Chicago and Hong Kong (HKG) in September. The route, which the airline ended last September after 23 years, will operate just once a week with a Boeing 777-300ER with 60 Polaris business class, 24 Premium Plus premium economy and 266 economy seats.
Sign up for the free daily TPG newsletter for more airline news!
The airline also plans to resume service between Los Angeles (LAX) and Sydney (SYD) in September, and Washington Dulles (IAD) and Tel Aviv (TLV) in October. Both routes will be flown with a 787-9.
"As we continue rebuilding our international network, we look forward to offering customers more opportunities to travel between the U.S. and Hong Kong, Sydney and Tel Aviv," said Patrick Quayle, vice president of international network and alliances at United, in a statement.
Earlier in July, Quayle told media that the carrier's long-haul international additions were all in response to "demand in the marketplace today."
Related: United Airlines doubles Newark flights, adds 9 long-haul international routes in August
International flying is coming back much slower than domestic travel. Border restrictions aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19 are keeping most would-be long-haul travelers near home.
The largest industry body, the International Air Transport Association (IATA), does not expect international travel to return to pre-pandemic levels until 2023 or 2024.
United's plans to expand and resume service to Hong Kong, Sydney and Tel Aviv are dependent on government approvals. They could be delayed -- or even shelved -- depending on the path of the pandemic that, for example, is surging again in Israel.
Related: A country-by-country guide to coronavirus recovery
While United has been hit hard by travel restrictions, the airline has also been able to fly a more extensive international network than some of its peers on the back of freight and repatriation travel. For example to Europe, the airline's flights have been filled predominantly with European Union citizens returning home rather than Americans going abroad for holiday or work.
The pandemic has forced American Airlines to reevaluate its long-haul network. It has dropped six largely leisure-oriented international destinations from its map and ended service on 19 routes.
Below are the details of United's plans for the new and resumed routes.
- Chicago O'Hare - Hong Kong: Sunday eastbound; Tuesday westbound
- Chicago O'Hare - Tel Aviv: Monday, Thursday and Saturday westbound; Monday, Wednesday and Saturday eastbound
- Los Angeles - Sydney: Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday westbound; Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday eastbound
- Washington Dulles - Tel Aviv: Wednesday, Friday and Sunday eastbound; Tuesday, Friday and Sunday westbound
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 2X miles | 2 miles per dollar on every purchase |
| 5X miles | 5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel |
| 10X miles | 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
The Capital One Venture X Business Card has all the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has to offer and more. It offers an incredible welcome bonus and requires an equally impressive spend to qualify. In addition, the card comes with premium travel perks like annual travel credit. (Partner offer)Pros
- The Capital One Venture X business card has a very lucrative welcome offer.
- In addition, the card comes with many premium travel perks such as an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel.
- Business owners are also able to add employee cards for free.
Cons
- The card requires significant spending to earn the welcome offer.
- Another drawback is that the annual travel credit can only be used on bookings made through Capital One Business Travel.
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles: 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200k miles when you spend $150k in the first 6 months
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
- Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
- With no preset spending limit, enjoy big purchasing power that adapts so you can spend more and earn more rewards
- Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
- Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings made through Capital One Business Travel
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
- This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month
Rewards Rate
| 2X miles | 2 miles per dollar on every purchase |
| 5X miles | 5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel |
| 10X miles | 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel |
Intro Offer
Earn 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200K miles when you spend $150K in the first 6 monthsLIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus milesAnnual Fee
$395Recommended 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.740-850Excellent
Why We Chose It
The Capital One Venture X Business Card has all the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has to offer and more. It offers an incredible welcome bonus and requires an equally impressive spend to qualify. In addition, the card comes with premium travel perks like annual travel credit. (Partner offer)Pros
- The Capital One Venture X business card has a very lucrative welcome offer.
- In addition, the card comes with many premium travel perks such as an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel.
- Business owners are also able to add employee cards for free.
Cons
- The card requires significant spending to earn the welcome offer.
- Another drawback is that the annual travel credit can only be used on bookings made through Capital One Business Travel.
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles: 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200k miles when you spend $150k in the first 6 months
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
- Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
- With no preset spending limit, enjoy big purchasing power that adapts so you can spend more and earn more rewards
- Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
- Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings made through Capital One Business Travel
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
- This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month