With increasing flight options connecting Asia to the US, United Airlines’ new direct Singapore-Los Angeles route could encourage more travellers to head across the Pacific for their holidays, said travel agents in Singapore.
Starting from October 29, United will operate daily nonstop flights between Singapore’s Changi Airport and Los Angeles International Airport with Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.
With this launch, the airline will terminate the service from Hong Kong to Singapore on October 27, and Singapore to Hong Kong on October 28.
As the US’ West Coast remains a popular destination for Singapore travellers, Zheng Lingna, marketing and HR manager of Travel Star, told TTG Asia that having the new direct flights would “definitely help if there are good promotions”.
Although the new route will not effect any change in its US itineraries, Travel Star will look at adjusting its package pricing based on the new flights, added Zheng.
For Dynasty Travel, the US has seen 10 per cent spike in demand so far in 2H2017 from the same period last year, said director of public relations & communications Alicia Seah.
Having direct flights to Los Angeles “will definitely draw more demand and travellers into the city”, remarked Seah, as the United service is expected to save passengers up to two hours’ travelling time each way, compared to the airline’s current route via San Francisco.
