CHICAGO- United Airlines (UA) is set to unveil new routes to Southeast Asia at an October event, sparking industry speculation. The airline’s teaser video has fueled anticipation for its 2025 route announcement.
Potential destinations include Bangkok (BKK) and Ho Chi Minh City (SGN), both previously served by United. Despite a hint in United’s Hemispheres magazine suggesting Kuala Lumpur (KUL), analysts doubt its viability due to insufficient premium passenger demand.
United Airlines Southeast Asia Routes
Industry experts are divided on the likely destination. View From The Wing predicts Bangkok, while JonNYC favors Ho Chi Minh City. Both cities were formerly part of United’s intra-Asia network.
Bangkok, currently lacking non-stop service from the United States, presents a unique opportunity. Thai Airways’ (TG) previous non-stop routes from Los Angeles (LAX) and New York (JFK), using Airbus A340-500 aircraft, proved economically challenging despite high load factors.
United’s potential Bangkok route could mirror its successful Manila (MNL) service, where direct flights generate higher yields than connecting options. Lower fuel prices and more efficient Boeing 787 aircraft enhance the route’s feasibility.
Ho Chi Minh City faces competition from Vietnam Airlines (VN) existing San Francisco service with Airbus A350. Bangkok’s appeal is bolstered by Air Canada’s (AC) successful Vancouver (YVR)-Bangkok route and the potential for United to become the first U.S. carrier to offer non-stop flights to Thailand.
United might also consider intra-Asia routes, possibly connecting Bangkok or Ho Chi Minh City to Tokyo (HND) or Guam (GUM). The airline already plans to serve Cebu (CEB) from its former Tokyo Narita hub using Boeing 737-800 aircraft.
The upcoming announcement follows United’s tradition of releasing teaser videos with clues about new routes. These videos, available for previous years, generate excitement and speculation within the aviation community.
Flights to Vietnam?
United previously operated flights to Ho Chi Minh City from Hong Kong (HKG) between 2004 and 2016, initially using Boeing 747-400s before downsizing to Boeing 737-800s in 2011. During this period, United held an 8% share of the Vietnam-U.S. market, while Delta Air Lines (DL) and American Airlines (AA) collectively sold 10% of tickets without direct service.
United’s extensive Pacific network stems from its acquisition of Pan Am’s routes and Continental’s Micronesia operations. The airline retains unique fifth freedom traffic rights in Asia, allowing flights beyond Tokyo to other Asian destinations.
These rights, originally held by Pan Am and Northwest Orient, were partially inherited by Delta Air Lines, which has since shifted its strategy to focus on Tokyo Haneda flights and connections through Korean Air’s Seoul-Incheon hub.
Continental Airlines’ Pacific operations and Guam hub were integrated into United following their merger. United ceased intra-Asia flights in 2017 but previously served destinations like Singapore, Seoul, and Hong Kong from its Hong Kong base.
Bangkok service seems more likely than Ho Chi Minh City due to existing competition on the latter route. United’s global network and recent success with experimental routes position it favorably for expansion in Southeast Asia.
The upcoming announcement is expected to generate excitement among MileagePlus members, particularly if Bangkok is confirmed as a new destination.
United’s willingness to explore new routes has yielded more successes than failures in recent years, contrasting with pre-pandemic ventures to secondary Chinese cities that have not resumed.
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The post United Airlines Eyes New Flights to Bangkok, Vietnam appeared first on Aviation A2Z.