United adding non-stop Los Angeles – Melbourne with 787-9

United is adding a new non-stop route to Australia – Los Angeles (LAX) to Melbourne (MEL). It will be using a 787-9 aircraft. United already flies to Melbourne, but it is via a stopover in Sydney (SYD). The current route is LAX – SYD – MEL. Or the alternate SFO – SYD – MEL. Once this non-stop route starts in October, United will terminate the SYD – MEL leg. LAX – SYD and SFO – SYD will remain.

This will the schedule (Hat tip – airlineroute.net):

UA098 LAX2130 – 0815+2MEL 789 4
UA098 LAX2230 – 0915+2MEL 789 x24

UA099 MEL1115 – 0650LAX 789 x46
UA099 MEL1515 – 1050LAX 789 6