DoT Clears United Airlines and Virgin Australia Code-Sharing Agreement

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DoT) has authorized the codeshare agreement between United Airlines and Virgin Australia requested in Dockets DOT-OST-2022-0002 and DOT-OST-2004-19148.

Ads

Both carriers placed their «UA» and «VA» codes on their flights between the United States and Australia. The Australian airline also requests code-share authorization through United’s foreign partners such as: Lufthansa Group, Air New Zealand, All Nippon Airways, Scandinavian Airlines SAS, TAP Air Portugal, Avianca, Copa Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Azul Linhas Aereas, Asiana Airlines, Air Canada, Croatia Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, Turkish Airlines and Aer Lingus.

The codeshare agreement will be available between March 16, 2022, to March 16, 2024. United Airlines and Virgin Australia will have up to 30 days to notify the DoT to make any notifications.

DOT-OST-2022-0002-0004_attachment_1

United a leader in the Pacific

Data obtained by Aviacionline through the Department of Infrastructure, Transportation, Cities and Regional Development between June 2018 to June 2019 shows that United Airlines transported a total of 532,443 passengers between the United States and Australia with an 80.7% load factor and 16,678 tons of cargo in 361 air operations, being the largest American airline in the region.

With the new partnership with Virgin Australia, the Chicago-based carrier will strengthen its significant South Pacific presence, recently announcing the resumption of service between San Francisco (SFO) and Melbourne (MEL). Data compiled by Aviacionline via Cirium indicates that United will have a supply of 5,020 seats per week across thirty-four air operations during the 2022 summer season.

Ads

With Virgin Australia out of the long-haul business, United is aiming to increase its market share and its presence in the South Pacific. The US carrier will also take advantage of the Joint Venture with Air New Zealand, as the Kiwi carrier is re-establishing its entire US network including new services.

With this new codeshare agreement United could soon resume its services between Los Angeles (LAX) and Houston (IAH) to Sydney (SYD).

United Airlines schedule in Australia for the 2022 summer season.

• Los Angeles (LAX) – Sydney (SYD) daily flights on Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner
• San Francisco (SFO) – Sydney (SYD) daily flights on Boeing 777-300ER
• San Francisco (SFO) – Melbourne (MEL) three times weekly on Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.