Airline launches new route out of Australia to the US for the ‘first time’
Just in time for Christmas and the lengthy school holidays, a new non-stop international route will launch for Australians for the very first time.
South Australian travellers hoping to step foot into the west coast of the US without going via another major city will be able to do so from December, with a major airline launching a direct route between Adelaide and San Francisco for the “first time”.
United Airlines announced today that the carrier will be the first non-stop service from Adelaide to the US, with a service running three-times weekly beginning in December.
When the new flight launches later this year, United will become the only airline with non-stop service to four Australian cities — being Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Adelaide.
The 15-hour journey will launch just in time for Christmas and the school holidays — with the first service departing San Francisco on December 11.
South Australian premier Peter Malinauskas said the route has been a long time coming for residents wanting to fly direct to the US.
“For many years, the ambition of a direct route between South Australia and the US has been out of reach,” Mr Malinauskas said in a statement.
“With our State’s economy outperforming the nation, and the historic AUKUS agreement set to drive unprecedented investment into South Australia – now is the right time for direct flights to the US.”
It is understood flights will arrive into Adelaide at 9:30am on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays and departing the same days for San Francisco at 2:55pm.
The United States has been a key market for South Australia’s tourism market, with more than 44,000 visitors entering the state last year and contributing $77 million to the economy.
South Australia’s Minister for Tourism Zoe Bettison said the move opens up a key portal to Australia — expanding on the growing number of international routes into the state.
“This is a historic collaboration between United Airlines and our state,” Ms Bettison said.
“I would like to extend a warm South Australian welcome to all Americans who are looking for the perfect Australian holiday.”
“South Australia is a great place to experience unique settings and wildlife – to get up close with kangaroos and koalas or swim with dolphins and sea lions. It’s a nice coincidence that the Napa Valley is one hour north of San Francisco – just as the Barossa is one hour north of Adelaide.”
The new route comes just months after Emirates launched daily routes between Adelaide and Dubai, hailed as a boon for both travellers and exporters.
The launch of the route — like the US connection — is expected to drive a multimillion-dollar tourism and trade boost for the state.
The move will allow 220,400 passengers to travel between Dubai and Adelaide each year.
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