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United Launching Nonstop Dreamliner Flights From Los Angeles to Singapore

June 01, 2017
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4 min read
united 787-9 inaugural dreamliner
United Launching Nonstop Dreamliner Flights From Los Angeles to Singapore
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Update 6/1/17 10:39am: This flight is already bookable, but it doesn't appear that award space has been loaded yet. A one-way economy ticket on the inaugural will run you $475, while a round-trip costs $736. Round-trip business-class fares start at $4,177, but there's no availability on the inaugural.

Well, this is quite a surprise! When United gave me a ring earlier this morning, I expected the call to go something like this:



After reviewing your post from earlier in the week, we too agree that charging $1,200 for a domestic basic economy fare is utterly absurd. Effective immediately, we'll be eliminating the basic economy product. We value the loyalty of our customers and will work tirelessly to regain their trust. And, as a small token of our appreciation, we'll be issuing 1,000,000 miles to each and every MileagePlus member, and we'll be issuing full refunds to customers who have purchased basic economy fares. Thank you and good day.

Yeah, so, that didn't happen. But, the airline does have an interesting development to share. As of Friday, October 27, 2017, United will operate daily nonstop flights between Los Angeles (LAX) and Singapore (SIN). This is in addition to United's daily nonstop from San Francisco (SFO), which launched one year ago today, on June 1, 2016 (click here for a review of the inaugural flight). Of course, Singapore Airlines is also planning to launch nonstop flights from Los Angeles to SIN, but not until its Airbus A350-900ULRs are delivered sometime next year.

At 8,700 miles and 17 hours, 55 minutes of flight time (westbound), this new LAX nonstop will be the world's longest Dreamliner flight at the time of its launch (note that Qantas' planned London-Perth flight will span 9,000 miles and launches in March of 2018). It will be just over 300 miles short of supplanting the current world record holder, Qatar's 9,032-mile nonstop from Doha (DOH) to Auckland (AKL). Flight time will be just 15 hours and 15 minutes on the return leg. Due to the long westbound flight time, it may be necessary to restrict cargo and perhaps even block some seats, though the Dreamliner will likely be able to handle the return leg with a full load.

Schedule (daily):

  • UA37 Los Angeles (LAX) 8:55pm Departure ⇒ Singapore (SIN) 6:50am (+2) Arrival
  • UA38 Singapore (SIN) 11:00am Departure ⇒ Los Angeles (LAX) 10:15am Arrival

This new United flight will be operated by the 787-9 Dreamliner, the same plane currently flying between San Francisco and SIN. This aircraft offers 48 Polaris business-class seats in a 2-2-2 configuration with 22 inches of width and 78 inches of pitch.

This 787 also has 88 Economy Plus seats with 17.3-inch width and 35 inches of pitch, and 116 regular coach seats with 17.3-inch width and 32 inches of pitch.

While a bit more spacious than United's new 3-4-3 economy, regular coach may not be tremendously comfortable on such a long flight. Also, as Singapore's new A350 is rumored to exclude a regular economy cabin, this United flight may continue to be your only option for low-cost travel between LAX and Singapore.

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Also note that only United's 777-300ER currently offers the new Polaris business-class seats, so passengers traveling on the airline's longest (and, by some accounts, most prestigious) flight will be flying the older lie-flat hard product with Polaris service, including bedding and upgraded meals. I've reached out to United for a timeline on the new Polaris seats rolling out to this route.

United has also announced that it will be terminating nonstop service from Hong Kong (HKG) and SIN on October 27, and SIN to HKG on October 28.

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  • Intro Offer

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  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    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.