Back in April, United announced plans to expand its international routes. New routes include historic addition to its Australian routes
This Thursday, December 11, United Airlines will become the first U.S. airline to launch nonstop flights to Adelaide, Australia. The airline’s first direct flight from San Francisco to the South Australian city will depart on Thursday evening.
What to know about United’s new Adelaide route
The first plane will leave San Francisco International Airport at 11:05 pm ET on Thursday and land in Adelaide at 9:30 am on Saturday. The total estimated travel time is nearly 16 hours.
According to United’s website, a round-trip economy ticket costs $2,639. United Airlines will offer three direct flights per week to Adelaide Airport.
The new route will launch in the Australian summer. Adelaide Airport’s official Instagram account teased the expansion in a post in October.
“The countdown has begun for @united! The first flight from Adelaide to San Francisco will depart on Saturday 13 December! Just in time for Christmas, the new #UnitedAirlines routes will operate seasonally every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday until March 2026,” the post was captioned.
United Airlines continues expansion
Adelaide will become United’s fourth destination in Australia, following Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne.
United has also recently added flights to Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City and Manila, announcing the three locations alongside its announcement of direct flights to Adelaide.
“At United, we are changing the way people think about where to travel, giving people the best ways to see and explore the world, whether for leisure, adventure or business,” said Patrick Quayle, United’s senior vice president of global network planning and alliances. “We offer more than just the best itineraries and travel options, we provide customers with popular destinations and opportunities to explore vibrant new cities.”
This article was originally published by Men’s Journal on December 7, 2025, and first appeared in the Travel section. Click here to add Men’s Diary as your go-to source.
