United Airlines' LAX-PWM / PWM-LAX inaugural flights

United

LAX-PWM and PWM-LAX inaugural

No sign at all this is an inaugural flight.

Inaugural flight of UA 2035, LAX-PWM, on the board.

Gate 71A is packed. The flight is packed.

Boarding. Again no sign it's an inaugural.

Broken gasper valve.

Runway 25R/7L is closed today?

Taking off on runway 25L. The pilot and crew did realize it was an inaugural after we left the gate.

Customized connecting flight... for me, it's the return inaugural, UA 605, PWM-LAX.

Thank you note from Purser Nick, Captain Michael, and the rest of the crew.

N17264 as UA 2035, 5:01 actual flight time, 2,638 miles (IFE), 2,707 miles (Flightaware), 2,642 miles (great circle).

N47360 operating UA 1207, aka the inaugural SFO-PWM flight on United, arrived at PWM.

Water cannon salutes for both the inaugural SFO-PWM as well as the inaugural LAX-PWM.

Inaugural flight of UA 2035, LAX-PWM, getting a water cannon salute.

Parked next to the inaugural SFO-PWM.

With flight attendants Nick and Sashe (or was it Olivia?).

Portland, Maine now connected to all 7 United CONUS hubs.

Celebratory snacks.

Mmmm cupcakes.

Terminal is packed. SFO and LAX clearly selling well.

Passengers deplaning from SFO-PWM inaugural.

Big fancy cake.

UA 2035 is also the flight number for the return inaugural, PWM-SFO.

Celebratory cake.

Inaugural flight of UA 605, PWM-LAX, on the board. First class is totally sold out.

PWM employees are excited.

Inaugural flight of UA 605, PWM-LAX, on the board.

Inaugural flight of UA 2035, PWM-SFO, on the board.

Inaugural flight of UA 1207, SFO-PWM, arrived.

Inaugural flight of UA 2035, LAX-PWM, arrived.

Linda Bean's Maine Lobster.

You don't have to get a lobster roll in Maine.

But why not get a lobster roll while you're in Maine.

Puzzles to help kill time.

N17264 preparing to head back to SFO.

IFE, uh, we're not going to EWR.

Taking off over Portland, Maine.

IFE is now correct.

N17264 as UA 605, 6:02 actual flight time, 2,638 miles (IFE), 2,798 miles (Flightaware), 2,642 miles (great circle).

United's inaugural flights from Los Angeles to Portland, Maine as well as the return inaugural the same day, on the same airplane. Just like usual, LAX gave no sign at all that today's UA 2035, LAX-PWM, was an inaugural flight, although this time the crew at least found out it was an inaugural flight as we were pushing back from the gate, and Purser Nick in particular was extremely apologetic that LAX did nothing to commemorate the inaugural flight. However, Portland Jetport was extremely excited, as they had not one but two United inaugural flights today-- SFO-PWM was also starting today. They had a water cannon salute for both inaugurals as they arrived within minutes of each other, decorations, cakes, and cupcakes, and a massive crowd of both new arrivals (both flights were full??) as well as passengers who were waiting to board the return inaugurals.

As usual, not sure how many passengers were aware it was an inaugural flight (I'm generally pretty sure I'm one of the only ones), but then again, who cares? Also, like the LAX-MCI inaugural a few months ago, these two flights now meant PWM is now connected to all seven United hubs, so quite cool for them.

Had just enough time on this layover to get the obligatory lobster roll, even if Lindea Bean's inside the airport is, well, airport pricing. Still was worth it, and then it was a quick dash back to the gate before boarding the return inaugural.

The return was quite uneventful, although there was some recognition by the crew that it was an inaugural. As UA 605, PWM-LAX, is one of the longest CONUS flights in the system, it was rather nice to get a whole row to myself in economy. Just over 6 hours flight time and 2,642 miles (great circle) is about as long a haul as you can get in the continential 48 states, and United must have guessed something right, as first class was completely sold out on both UA 2035 (LAX-PWM inaugural) and UA 605 (PWM-LAX inaugural)-- did not expect that.

Aside from a little speech from the crew on landing, zero other recognition it was an inaugural flight on arrival at LAX, but at least it was a mostly smooth flight. Added bonus, was fun to catch up with Mike on arrival, as I was coming home and he was leaving on vacation.