The return of direct flights from Australia to the Foggy City, and travellers’ desire to avoid Los Angeles Airport, are driving demand for more departures.
since the pandemic – as a guest of United Airlines’ refreshed Polaris business class.
For one, its corner and presidential suites have luxurious en-suite bathtubs overlooking the airport’s busy runways. They allow you to soak away your travel cares while watching flights arrive and depart the City by the Bay.Opened in October 2019, the $US237 million hotel has 351 guest rooms including 22 suites, a signature restaurant, bar and lounge area, a 24-hour delicatessen, a gym with a dedicated yoga space and a massage suite.
SFO’s Grand Hyatt is a plane spotter’s delight. Note the binoculars on the table. There’s a pair in each room.The airport-owned property is part of SFO’s push to revolutionise the travel experience. After taking a hit from COVID-19, it expects to handle 12 million travellers during the peak summer period from May 30 to September 5 this year.
All 48 business class seats on the United Airline’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner were booked for the return of direct flights.This gives it a competitive advantage over Qantas, which will resume its direct Sydney-San Francisco flights only in October, and its US rivals, none of which now offer direct flights from the Victorian capital to SFO.
“If you are looking for convenience, the sheer number of flights to and from LAX would have to win hands down … and LAX is definitely a better experience than it was a few years ago. That said, I have also flown in and out of SFO several times over the 15 years I’ve worked between Australia and the US, and I would say it’s generally nicer.”Direct flights to San Francisco have become a popular option for Australian travellers.