Wow: United Airlines Adds Flights To Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Adelaide
United Airlines is returning to Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City, but not in the way you may have imagined. United is also launching nonstop service to Adelaide, Australia and doubling service to Manila. Let’s unpack this big news.
United Airlines Adds Bangkok + Ho Chi Minh City Flights Via Hong Kong
Years ago, United served Bangkok (BKK) from its Tokyo Narita (BRT) hub and Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) from Hong Kong (HKG). United will return to both cities this year, though not nonstop from its San Francisco (SFO) as many expected.
Instead, United will serve both Southeast Asian destinations from Hong Kong. Service will begin on October 26, 2025 and will operate daily using a Boeing 787-9 aircraft. The flights will be timed to connect with United’s double-daily Hong Kong service from Los Angeles (LAX) and San Francisco.
United plans to re-open its United Club lounge in Hong Kong later this year, which has been closed since 2020.
New United Airlines Service From San Francisco To Adelaide, Australia
Starting December 11, 2025, United will launch the first nonstop flights between the US and Adelaide, Australia (ADL), the capital and most populous city in the state of South Australia. The service will operate 3x weekly and utilize a Boeing 787-9.
United also serves Brisbane (BNE), Melbourne (MEL), and Sydney (SYD) from the West Coast.
A Second Daily Manila Flight
United is also adding a second daily flight between San Francisco and Manila (MNL). Starting on October 25, 2025, both a daytime and evening flight will be offered from San Francisco. United is the only U.S. airline to serve the Philippines, with service to both Manila and Cebu (CEB) via Tokyo Narita.
More Fifth Freedom Flying From United Airlines: Back To The Future?
I may take this up in a separate post, but I’m struck that what’s old is new and what’s new is old.
When I was a kid, I remember getting stuck in Hong Kong (after oversleeping and missing an Air New Zealand flight). Approaching the United ticket counter to check on other options, I remember 1.) the Ho Chi Minh City flight was preparing to depart and 2.) United still had paper tickets with the classic tulip logo at the ticketing desk.
During a phone call yesterday with Live And Let’s Fly revealing the new routes, Patrick Quayle, United’s Senior Vice President, Global Network Planning and Alliances, explained the economics of this route, pointing out that the choice to route these new flights via Hong Kong allows for both US and local traffic.
He also confirmed that United will be selling these Fifth Freedom flights on a stand-alone basis.
CONCLUSION
United Airlines is launching service to Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, and Adelaide, with the two new Asian flights operating via Hong Kong.
Tickets for the Adelaide and the new Manila flights are on sale now on United.com and on the United app. Tickets for Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City flights will be available for sale at a later date.
I am continually impressed by United’s willingness under Quayle’s leadership to try new routes and push the boundaries of the hub-and-spoke system. Ho Chi Minh City and Bangkok are both great cities that I look forward to returning to on United.
What do you think about the new routes?