United is celebrating 30 years of consistent flying to and from Australia this year and we caught up with Julie Reid, Director of Sales Australia and New Zealand to get the download on what’s up next.
Julie Reid fondly remembers 1986. From lip-syncing in the mirror to Cyndi Lauper and Whitney Houston on her Sony Walkman, to wearing Madonna styled fingerless gloves, stonewash jeans and oversized shoulder pads. She reckons she even had the Rubik’s Cube cracked.
For United, 1986 heralded the start of its Trans-Pacific route to Australia from the U.S of A. Presumably to transport the droves of American tourists that actor Paul Hogan had managed to lure to come and say ‘G’day with his genius ‘Throw another shrimp on the barbie’ ads that had really put Australia on the world map at the time.
Thirty years of service later and the proud legacy continues for United with the all Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet coming online in March and a host of upgraded product standards, lounges and routes including San Francisco – Auckland and Melbourne.
“United flying to Australia for 30 years has been a massive achievement and incredibly important for the industry here as well as for the U.S. We’ve seen a complete transformation of product and service in this time from the faithful old 747’s to today’s state of the art Dreamliner aircraft”. Reid said.
Indeed it’s the United Dreamliner product that excites Reid the most right now.
“I flew Los Angeles to Melbourne two weeks ago on the Dreamliner for the first time and was very pleasantly surprised. I’d read brochure and heard the hype and wasn’t 100% convinced initially, but flying the product made me realise just how much of a game changer this product really is.” She said.
“It just feels like a completely different aircraft. It’s much quieter and smoother. Everything feels more comfortable.”
Julie Reid, Director of Sales Australia and New Zealand
“From the in flight Wi-Fi, to the extra large windows and oversized overhead bins, versatile LED lighting and the actual lower cabin altitude and better air humidity that makes you feel less puffy and scratchy at the other end. I can honestly say I felt considerably better stepping off the plane after a 15-hour sector than I have ever done previously.”
And it’s a positive feeling Reid is keen to get all of the trade here in Australia to experience.
“From late March we’ll be running modules for agents to get on-board and check out the product for themselves with rolling educationals to fly on in the year ahead.”
The all new United Dreamliner 787 Business Class
Whilst only in the United role in Australia for a year, Reid herself has an esteemed thirty year history of working in the travel industry globally, having previously held the position of Sales and Marketing Manager in Australia for Cathay Pacific Airways, as well as several senior management positions at HRG Australia, Hong Kong and the United Kingdom.
“Personally I absolutely love working in the travel industry. The variety of things you get to do and the people you meet makes it a great place to be”.
“I’ve been enormously lucky to come on-board at a great time for the airline with lots of lovely things to talk about and celebrate. Coming from a Travel network and airline background has really helped me get me a better understanding of what agents actually want and need” She said.
“I’ve found the industry here to be very loyal and engaged, with so many experienced agents that have fantastic, authentic knowledge of the products they sell”.
Julie Reid, Director of Sales Australia and New Zealand
Asked about just how important this route is for United in 2016, Reid answered;
“This route is extremely important for United and we’re looking forward to another great thirty years of service in and out of Australia.”
United will begin flying the all Boeing 787 Dreamliner route on Sydney-San Francisco and Sydney-Los Angeles services from March 2016. This move will compliment existing 787 operations on the Melbourne-Los Angeles route.
