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
Top offers from our partners
How we chose these cards
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 6X | 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program. |
| 4X | 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping. |
| 2X | 2x points on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
The Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex is a stacked card with a rewards rate that will help you earn bonus points on everyday and business-related purchases. You'll earn 15 elite night credits each calendar year, and receive automatic Gold elite status. Finally, the free night award certificate with a redemption level of 35,000 points or less can get you hundreds of dollars in potential value each year.Pros
- 6 points per dollar on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program
- 4 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, U.S. gas stations, wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and U.S. shipping
- 2 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases
- Earn a free-night award each card renewal month (up to 35,000 points)
- Receive 15 elite night credits to jump-start status
- Transfer Marriott points to 40+ airlines
Cons
- Airline points transfer ratios are poor
- Must spend $60,000 in a year for second free-night award
- Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 5/3/23.
- Receive a 7% discount off standard rates for reservations of standard guest rooms at hotels that participate in the Marriott Bonvoy program when you book directly. Terms and Conditions Apply.
- 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program.
- 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping.
- 2x points on all other eligible purchases.
- Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Plus, earn an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Awards can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
- Enjoy Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status with your Card.
- Terms apply.
Rewards Rate
| 6X | 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program. |
| 4X | 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping. |
| 2X | 2x points on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 5/3/23.Earn 125,000 points75,000 pointsAnnual Fee
$125Recommended 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.670-850Excellent/Good
Why We Chose It
The Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex is a stacked card with a rewards rate that will help you earn bonus points on everyday and business-related purchases. You'll earn 15 elite night credits each calendar year, and receive automatic Gold elite status. Finally, the free night award certificate with a redemption level of 35,000 points or less can get you hundreds of dollars in potential value each year.Pros
- 6 points per dollar on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program
- 4 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, U.S. gas stations, wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and U.S. shipping
- 2 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases
- Earn a free-night award each card renewal month (up to 35,000 points)
- Receive 15 elite night credits to jump-start status
- Transfer Marriott points to 40+ airlines
Cons
- Airline points transfer ratios are poor
- Must spend $60,000 in a year for second free-night award
- Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 5/3/23.
- Receive a 7% discount off standard rates for reservations of standard guest rooms at hotels that participate in the Marriott Bonvoy program when you book directly. Terms and Conditions Apply.
- 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program.
- 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping.
- 2x points on all other eligible purchases.
- Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Plus, earn an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Awards can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
- Enjoy Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status with your Card.
- Terms apply.