United Airlines Just Announced 4 New Routes to Asia and Australia

The new destinations include Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines.

By Michael Cappetta Michael Cappetta

Michael Cappetta is a travel writer with over 10 years of experience in journalism and television news. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Published on April 2, 2025

Close Wat Arun temple and Bangkok cityscape at sunset. Photo:

Alexander Spatari/Getty Images

• United Airlines announced new routes from the United States to Asia and Australia. 
• The new destinations include Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines. 
• The flights debut in the fall and winter of 2025.
  

For travelers inspired by the latest season of The White Lotus, United Airlines has just the ticket: the airline announced new service to Bangkok. (Thailand was voted the ‘2025 Destination of the Year’ by Travel + Leisure.)

The U.S.-to-Bangkok route won't be direct; there are currently no direct commercial flights between the U.S. and the Thai capital. The airline will operate a direct flight from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Hong Kong International Airport (HKG), and then a direct flight from HKG to Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK).

United is also launching new routes to Adelaide, Australia; Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; and Manila, Philippines. 

United says it is the only U.S.-based carrier to offer service to both Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City. These two new routes, slated to operate on Boeing 787-9 vessels, debut on Oct. 26. (The Ho Chi Minh City route will require a layover in Hong Kong as well.)

Also starting Oct. 26, United will operate a second daily flight between SFO and Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL). At present, the carrier has a daily 12:15 a.m. flight from SFO.

For travelers looking to explore Australia, United's new Adelaide route debuts on Dec. 11. The service will operate seasonally three times a week from SFO and is the first nonstop between the United States and the South Australian coastal city.

“At United, we’re changing the way people think about where they travel—by offering the greatest access to see and explore the world, whether it’s for relaxation, adventure or business,” Patrick Quayle, United Airlines' senior vice president of global network planning, said in a statement shared with Travel + Leisure. 

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