United Airlines connects US to Queensland’s great lifestyle

United Airlines’ first Queensland flight has touched down in Brisbane, connecting US visitors to Queensland’s great holiday lifestyle and supporting up to 260 good Queensland jobs.

The inaugural three times weekly service from San Francisco is one of six secured by Queensland’s $200 million Attracting Aviation Investment Fund (AAIF) in partnership with the State’s four international airports. 

Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe welcomed passengers landing in Brisbane onboard United Airlines with US Consul General Christine Elder.

“This really is history in the making,” Mr Hinchliffe said.

“United Airlines’ inaugural direct flight is our boarding pass to the next leg of Queensland’s international tourism recovery.

“We know aviation is absolutely critical to rebuilding Queensland’s $6 billion international visitor economy, that’s why we’ve created Australia’s biggest international airline war chest.

“United Airlines from San Francisco alone is predicted to contribute $27 million to the State’s visitor economy and an extra 40,000 inbound seats, supporting 260 good Queensland jobs.

“The 250 passengers on United Airlines' 787 Dreamliner are the first of many more Americans to share Queensland’s great lifestyle and enjoy our iconic visitor experiences.

“Tourism and Events Queensland is backing in United Airlines’ northern Californian flights by inspiring potential visitors to Say G’day the Queensland Way.

“Highlighting our many visitor experiences from the Outback to the Reef, Say G’day the Queensland Way is on air in the US with Tourism Australia’s campaign featuring Ruby the kangaroo.

“The US was Queensland’s third biggest inbound travel market before Covid, bringing in 236,000 visitors a year and spending $419 million.

“We want American travellers back enjoying our great Queensland lifestyle and world-class visitor experiences, staying longer and supporting local jobs.”   

Before Covid, US visitors spent on average 10.7 days in Queensland.

Passengers boarding in San Francisco experienced a taste of Queensland’s world-famous hospitality with a travel pack including uniquely Australian snacks, a plush koala and a koala patting experience at Brisbane’s Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary.

United Airlines senior vice-president of global network planning and alliance Mr Patrick Quayle said, “We are delighted to work with the Queensland Government and Brisbane Airport Corporation to launch new nonstop flights between San Francisco and Brisbane - becoming the first U.S. airline to add a new transpacific destination to its global network since the start of the pandemic.

“United has a long history in Australia, and with our new partnership with Virgin Australia, now is the ideal time to expand our service and offer additional convenient flight options to our customers on both sides of the Pacific,” he said.

Brisbane Airport Corporation CEO Mr Gert-Jan de Graff said, “In 1928, Sir Charles Kingsford Smith and his crew became the first to fly across the Pacific from San Francisco to Brisbane. Ninety-six years later, the route they pioneered will now deliver thousands of visitors to Queensland.

“That first pioneering journey took 83 hours and 38 minutes, now it’s a 13-hour, 45-minute flight. And the historic Southern Cross aircraft sits opposite our International Terminal where United Airlines docked this morning,” he said.

Mr Hinchliffe congratulated Brisbane Airport Corporation and United Airlines on the aviation partnership.

“This terrific partnership reinforces Queensland’s global reputation as a destination of choice,” Mr Hinchliffe said.

“With a decade-long green and gold runway to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, more than any other Australian destination, it’s an exciting time be in Queensland.”

The six international services secured to date by Queensland’s $200 million AAIF are anticipated to deliver 152,000 overseas visitors, generating $314.5 million with support for more than 3,000 Queensland jobs.    

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