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Adelaide Airport has welcomed its first-ever non-stop flight to the US with the arrival of a United Airlines route to San Francisco.
The inaugural UA207 service touched down in Adelaide at around 9:30am on Saturday morning aboard the 787-9 Dreamliner N29975. Flights will operate three times per week until March, with the possibility of later expansion.
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“Today’s launch opens up an entirely new continent for South Australians heading abroad, tourism operators looking to attract US visitors, and businesses seeking new export markets,” said Adelaide Airport managing director Brenton Cox.
“This is a core connection in our aviation network vision that has been decades in the making. It is the result of strong collaboration between Adelaide Airport and the South Australian Government, and the confidence and support of United Airlines.
“We will now have even greater business connectivity and export and supply chain opportunities with North America – improving links with what is already our State’s second biggest export market.”
The United service will alleviate the need for SA travellers to fly via Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane to reach the US, and vice-versa. According to Premier Peter Malinauskas, this is a “massive leap forward” for aviation in the state, and opens up significant economic opportunities.
“The United States is one of the main strategic partners for South Australia, most notably through the AUKUS agreement,” he said.
“South Australia’s trade links to the US are also well established with key exports including wine, meat (especially beef), fruit and vegetables, and even nuts.
“The arrival of these direct flights to Adelaide speaks to our state’s trajectory. We are now a global destination, and the world is paying attention.”
United Airlines is a codeshare partner of Virgin Australia, and offers more than 75 US connections through San Francisco. According to its senior vice president – network planning and alliances, Patrick Quayle, the seasonal service is “an exciting step” for the carrier.
“This new route is about connecting people to places they want to go – whether that’s visiting family, opening doors for business and trade, or discovering the world-class food, wine and natural beauty in San Francisco, Adelaide and beyond,” he said.
“We’re proud to make these journeys easier and to support the growing ties between our two countries, and we thank South Australia for the warm welcome you’ve shown us.”
Adelaide has seen a number of new and returning services over recent months, including the return of Cathay Pacific, Qantas flights to Auckland, and an Air New Zealand route to Christchurch.
The airport is set to embark on major upgrades including expansion of the terminal to both the north and south, as well as a larger check-in area with overhauled technology and 25 per cent more capacity, and the addition of up to nine more aircraft parking positions.
