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A few weeks ago it was announced that United Airlines would be returning to New York’s JFK Airport after suspending operations there in October 2015. We now have more details on what to expect, the first routes having been announced.
United Airlines resumes JFK flights
United Airlines will resume flights from New York JFK from February 1, 2021, as the airline intends to serve Los Angeles (LAX) and San Francisco (SFO). These are the exact same major routes the airline was operating when it pulled out of the airport.
United will fly from JFK to LAX and SFO
United Airlines will initially operate two daily round trips on each route – one in the morning in each direction and one in the afternoon / evening in each direction, with no red eyes.
These flights are already bookable, and it’s worth noting that United hasn’t cut their EWR schedule to LAX and SFO, at least for now.
United’s new JFK route to LAX
United will operate the following frequencies from New York to Los Angeles:
UA515 New York to Los Angeles depart 09:00 arrive 12:29
UA517 New York to Los Angeles depart 19:00 arrive 22:29
UA514 Los Angeles to New York departure 7:30 am arrival 3:50 pm
UA516 Los Angeles to New York departure 2:30 pm arrive 22:50
United will fly twice daily between JFK and LAX
United’s new JFK to SFO route
United will operate the following frequencies from New York to San Francisco:
UA521 New York to San Francisco depart 08:00 arrive 11:37
UA523 New York to San Francisco departing 5:10 pm and arriving 8:47 pm
UA520 San Francisco to New York depart 09:10 arrive 17:40
UA522 San Francisco to New York departure 1:30 p.m. arrival 10 p.m.
United will fly twice daily between JFK and SFO
United to use premium 767-300s for JFK flights
United Airlines will exclusively use its premium Boeing 767-300s for JFK flights. These planes are in a premium heavy configuration, with only 167 seats, as follows:
- 46 seats in Polaris business class
- 22 Premium Economy Premium Plus seats
- 47 Economy Plus economy seats with more legroom
- 52 seats in economy class
See here for a review of the United 767-300 that will be used for these routes.
United Business Class 767-300 Polaris
United to fly from JFK Terminal 7
United will operate from JFK Terminal 7, which was the same terminal it used to fly back in the day. However, the former United Club in the terminal has since been converted to an Alaska lounge. The only other lounge in the terminal is the British Airways lounge.
I will be curious to see what kind of lounge access United is able to offer their customers, given that I did not see any of these airlines particularly cooperating with United (Alaska competes with United in the market and British Airways has a joint venture with American).
The Alaska Lounge JFK is in the space of the former United Club
United’s prices are aggressive
As you might expect, United are entering these markets with great prices. Savings start at $ 110 one-way, while Business Class starts at $ 469 one-way.
I can’t help but think United still haven’t really figured out the prices for Premium Economy Class, as it’s only $ 50 less than Business Class. Maybe that’s a topic for another article, but in general, US airlines haven’t really got any awards (cash and points) for the premium economy, in my opinion.
United’s Premium Economy 767-300 Premium Plus
Pros and Cons of United at JFK
In my opinion, United Airlines has a significant advantage and several significant disadvantages with its return to JFK.
On the plus side, United’s on-board product is exceptional. Getting new Polaris seats on flights between JFK and the West Coast will be great for consumers, and United also offers the only true premium economy product coast to coast.
United Business Class 767-300
United’s 767-300 business class is significantly better than the US A321T business class.
American business class A321T
But there are also a few drawbacks United have:
- United operates this route twice a day, while the historically American has operated up to a dozen daily frequencies in the market
- I don’t know what the United living room situation will be, but it won’t be competitive with what the Americans are offering.
- United will have to fight hard to win back corporate business, as a large chunk of them has likely moved to American and Delta in recent years.
Then again, the pandemic may be the perfect time to restart service at JFK, as some of the US benefits don’t exist at the moment – the airline only runs twice a day and its flagship lounge is closed.
Conclusion
It’s really happening – United Airlines will return to JFK starting February 1, 2021, with four daily transcontinental flights. United will be using premium 767-300s for the route, with great product on board.
I’m curious to see United’s success at JFK as the airline has some downsides, but the pandemic is playing down the impact of some of them.
United have spent years trying to convince flyers that EWR is as convenient as JFK, and I guess that message never really got through …
Do you think United will be successful at JFK? What growth are you expecting?
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