United Airlines is set to expand its international service by launching two long-haul flights from Los Angeles to Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City, commencing on October 24, 2024. The Star Alliance member will utilize a single stop in Hong Kong for both routes, tapping into the growing demand for travel between these regions.
The inaugural flight from Los Angeles to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi will take off on October 24, followed by the launch of services to Ho Chi Minh City on October 25. United will deploy its less premium Boeing 787-9 aircraft for these routes, which feature 257 seats. This decision aligns with the airline’s focus on catering to lower-yielding tourism and visiting friends and relatives traffic.
United previously served Bangkok until 2014, utilizing Boeing 747-400 and 777-200ER aircraft, with connections through its Tokyo Narita hub. Recently, the Tokyo hub has experienced a resurgence, prompting United’s return to Thailand. The airline’s historical service to Ho Chi Minh City ended in 2011, after which it offered limited 737-800 flights until 2016.
Market Potential and Route Details
Booking data from July 2024 to June 2025 indicates that approximately 1.1 million round-trip passengers traveled between Bangkok and the United States, averaging over 3,000 daily travelers. Among US cities, Los Angeles ranks as the most popular origin, with over 190,000 local passengers, roughly 520 each day. The distance and existing one-stop options contribute to a relatively low average fare per mile compared to higher-demand destinations.
United’s decision to reintroduce flights to Bangkok reflects the airline’s strategic approach to network planning, influenced by the success of Air Canada’s nonstop flights from Vancouver to Thailand. By connecting Bangkok flights to its existing service to Hong Kong, United minimizes operational risks while offering travelers additional options.
The flight schedule for the Los Angeles-Bangkok route is as follows:
– **Daily Los Angeles to Hong Kong (Flight UA820)**: 22:55 – 07:00 (+2)
– **Daily Hong Kong to Bangkok (Flight UA820)**: 09:20 – 11:25
– **Daily Bangkok to Hong Kong (Flight UA821)**: 16:55 – 20:45
– **Daily Hong Kong to Los Angeles (Flight UA821)**: 22:45 – 19:25 (same day arrival)
For the Ho Chi Minh City route, the schedule is:
– **Daily Los Angeles to Hong Kong (Flight UA152)**: 11:10 – 19:15 (+1)
– **Daily Hong Kong to Ho Chi Minh City (Flight UA152)**: 21:15 – 22:55
– **Daily Ho Chi Minh City to Hong Kong (Flight UA153)**: 06:00 – 09:35
– **Daily Hong Kong to Los Angeles (Flight UA153)**: 11:25 – 08:05 (same day arrival)
Competitive Landscape and Future Outlook
While United will be the sole US operator to Thailand, it will join Vietnam Airlines as the second carrier to Vietnam, although Vietnam Airlines offers nonstop flights to San Francisco rather than Los Angeles. In the year leading up to June 2025, approximately 1.3 million passengers journeyed between Ho Chi Minh City and the United States, with Los Angeles accounting for around 265,000 of those travelers, averaging 726 daily.
Recent data from the US Department of Transportation reveals that United’s standalone service from Los Angeles to Hong Kong has only filled 65% of its available seats. In contrast, Cathay Pacific achieved a much higher occupancy rate of 89%, benefiting from its extensive network in the region. To enhance its competitiveness, United increased its frequency to Hong Kong to twice daily in November 2024, the highest frequency recorded for this route.
As the airline navigates its return to these markets, it faces both opportunities and challenges. The introduction of these new flights reflects United’s commitment to expanding its international presence while adapting to shifting travel patterns post-pandemic. With anticipated demand for travel to Asia growing, these strategic moves may position United favorably in a competitive landscape.
