Christchurch Joins Adelaide, Auckland, Brisbane, and Bangkok in List of United Airlines Alongside New Avenues for Christmas and New Year– Your Ultimate Holiday Getaway Starts Here!

Published on December 9, 2025

As we approach the festive season of December 2025, United Airlines continues to lead the way in expanding its global network and offering discounts that travelers can take advantage of, particularly for those planning to fly around Christmas or New Year’s. Whether you’re looking for new flight routes, exploring special promotions, or curious about the latest sales, this article will provide you with everything you need to know about United Airlines’ offerings for December 25 and December 31, 2025.

New Routes for December 2025

United Airlines is continuously expanding its network with new routes to popular international destinations, and December 2025 is no exception. Here’s a rundown of the key new routes, including direct flights from the U.S. to Adelaide, Christchurch, and more.

San Francisco (SFO) – Christchurch (CHC)

United Airlines has launched a three-times-weekly direct service between San Francisco (SFO) and Christchurch, New Zealand. The route officially began on December 1, 2025, and is the only direct flight between the U.S. and New Zealand’s South Island. United operates this flight on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, providing convenient travel options for those looking to explore Christchurch or nearby areas in the South Island.

This route is significant as it expands United’s South Pacific network and is one of the first of its kind to connect Christchurch to San Francisco. Travelers can take advantage of this unique route for flights scheduled on December 25 and 31, 2025, with three weekly departures running throughout the festive period.

San Francisco (SFO) – Adelaide (ADL)

In another significant expansion, United will operate a three-times-weekly seasonal nonstop flight between San Francisco and Adelaide, Australia. This route is the only nonstop connection between the U.S. and Adelaide, starting on December 11, 2025. United will use its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner for this long-haul service, making it a comfortable and efficient way to travel to Australia from the U.S.

This service will operate throughout the peak travel season, including during December 25 and 31, 2025. If you’re planning to visit Adelaide during this time, expect limited three weekly flights between San Francisco and Adelaide.

Los Angeles (LAX) – Auckland (AKL) and Los Angeles (LAX) – Brisbane (BNE)

United Airlines has also increased its trans-Pacific capacity with new routes from Los Angeles (LAX) to Auckland (AKL) and Brisbane (BNE). Starting on October 28, 2025, United introduced four weekly flights between Los Angeles and Auckland, with three weekly flights to Brisbane, starting November 29, 2025. These new additions will provide more options for travelers flying from the U.S. to New Zealand and Queensland, Australia.

With four weekly flights to Auckland and three weekly flights to Brisbane, these routes will offer additional capacity and flexibility for travelers wishing to reach either of these popular South Pacific destinations. Both routes will be active by December 25 and 31, 2025, ensuring plenty of travel options for those flying over the holiday period.

Asia and Pacific Network Expansions: Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Manila

United’s expansion also includes new routes to Asia. Starting October 26, 2025, United will offer daily flights from Hong Kong to Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City, offering seamless one-stop connections from San Francisco, Chicago, and other U.S. gateways. Additionally, United will introduce a second daily flight between San Francisco and Manila, starting October 25, 2025. These routes provide enhanced capacity for travelers wishing to visit key destinations in Asia during the December 2025 holiday season.

Domestic Winter-Schedule Expansions

United is also increasing its domestic flight offerings as part of its winter schedule expansion. While new routes like Newark-Columbia, SC, and Newark-Chattanooga, TN, won’t begin until after the holidays, travelers flying to domestic destinations like Fort Lauderdale, Las Vegas, and Orlando will see additional flights added to the schedule for a more convenient holiday season. United’s winter schedule will provide an expanded range of domestic travel options, which may come in handy for anyone booking last-minute domestic flights for New Year’s Eve.

Discounts and Special Promotions

As always, United Airlines is offering various discounts and promotions to make holiday travel more affordable for those planning to fly during December 2025. Here’s a look at the discounts and promotions still available during this time:

Young Adult (Student) Discount

United Airlines is offering a 5% discount for MileagePlus members between the ages of 18 and 23. This Young Adult Discount is available for those booking Economy fares for U.S. domestic flights and certain international destinations. The discount applies only to fares booked via the United mobile app and cannot be combined with other special offers. This promotion is valid for tickets purchased through December 31, 2025, making it an ideal option for young travelers looking to book flights during the holiday season.

Cyber Week Award Sale (Expired)

United Airlines ran a Cyber Week Sale during December 2025, offering up to 28% off MileagePlus award flights for travelers booking between December 1 and December 5, 2025. The sale offered discounted fares for travelers booking flights for travel between January 12 and May 6, 2026, but unfortunately, this promotion is no longer valid as the booking window closed on December 5. While this sale may no longer be available, United Airlines often runs similar short-term promotions in the lead-up to the holidays, so travelers should keep an eye on last-minute deals.

Holiday Travel Deals

For those looking for last-minute travel deals, United offers dynamic holiday travel packages that include discounts on flights, hotel stays, and car rentals. These offers change frequently, so travelers should visit the United website or mobile app for up-to-date promotions on holiday packages. While no specific company-wide fare sale is scheduled for December 25 or 31, these packages offer savings on both flights and vacation accommodations, which could be useful for travelers booking last-minute trips for the holiday season.