United brings Dreamliners down under

United Airlines has let slip some exciting aviation news for its Aussie customers.

Travellers aboard United down under will soon see the replacement of the Boeing 777-200 from March next year, with the fleet to be replaced by the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.

The airline will replace its older Boeing model on its daily Sydney-San Fran and Sydney-LA services, effective March 27 and 28 respectively. The airline already operates its beautiful Dreamliner on the Melbourne-LA route.

United’s managing director for Japan and Pacific Alison Espley said it’s another great milestone for United in Australia.

“We’re excited about introducing the game-changing 787-9 on both our routes from Sydney,” she said.

“This aircraft has redefined flying for our Melbourne customers and we’re delighted that our Sydney passengers will now also enjoy the superior inflight comfort and amenities that the Dreamliner offers.”

United, the North American launch customer for the 787-9, deployed the aircraft type internationally for the first time last year when it introduced nonstop service between Melbourne and Los Angeles, breaking a world record for the longest 787 route to date.

So to celebrate, let’s unpack what passengers can expect:

Onboard Products and Services

The 787-9 has a total of 252 seats in two cabins – 48 in United BusinessFirst, with seats arranged in a 2-2-2 configuration, and 204 in United Economy, including 63 Economy Plus seats with added legroom and increased personal space.

The BusinessFirst seat reclines 180 degrees into a 1.98-m lie-flat bed and features a personal on-demand entertainment system with a 39-cm touch-screen monitor. BusinessFirst amenities include laptop power, USB ports and a multi-course meal with complimentary wines.

United Economy offers complimentary food, beer, wine, soft drinks and inflight entertainment. Seats feature an adjustable headrest and a 22.8-cm personal seat-back monitor delivering a personal on-demand inflight entertainment system.

United Economy Plus offers up to 12.7cm of extra legroom. Located near the front of the Economy cabin, the seats give the added benefit of allowing a swifter exit from the plane upon arrival.

The aircraft offers satellite-based Wi-Fi and power outlets.

Customers aboard the coveted Dreamliner experience greater comfort with improved lighting, bigger windows, larger overhead bins, lower cabin altitude and enhanced ventilation systems, among other passenger-friendly features.

United currently has 19 Boeing 787 Dreamliners in its fleet and expects to take delivery of six more by the end of 2015.

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