United Airlines sees strong demand for Hong Kong-San Francisco flights

United Airlines recently announced plans to resume flying from San Francisco to Hong Kong. The route resumption shows the return of vital business demand to the territory and mainland China, once the bedrock for premium demand from the airport. UA877 is a daily flight that leaves San Francisco International Airport to Hong Kong International Airport. It was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic and travel restrictions in Hong Kong and China. It’s important to note that the US has a separate aviation agreement with Hong Kong than China due to its status as an independent territory. The resumption of flights was initially planned for early February but was later delayed to March. However, in January, China relaxed restrictions on passengers from the United States, and United Airlines restarted the route. United Airlines said bookings were “stronger than expected” but also commented that it is still early days and that time was needed to see the bigger picture. United Airlines' Director of Greater China, South Korea, and Southeast Asia Sales, Walter Dias, said that on its first flight back last week, the load factor on the Boeing 777 was 97%. That’s almost a full plane. Dias goes on to say that it's a “big milestone for rebuilding Asia-Pacific routes" and that there might be an option in the future for a second flight if demand stays where it is at the moment.<br/>