United gets a lift from the All Blacks in Chicago

United has increased its frequency between Auckland and San Francisco to daily and the All Blacks test in Chicago has already proved a winner for the airline. United says it has benefited from strong demand from rugby fans travelling to this weekend's test against Ireland in what can be a soft month. "November is not usually a peak month but with the All Blacks they (flights) are absolutely jam packed," said Julie Reid, United's director of sales Australia and New Zealand. The airline has also put a bigger plane on the route, a Boeing 777 to replace the 787-8 it has flown five times a week since the beginning of July as part of a revenue-sharing deal with Air New Zealand. Reid said the bigger aircraft would provide about 50 extra seats and would be used on the route throughout summer. United last flew into Auckland Airport in 2003 and like other US carriers there were perception problems around service.<br/>