The Pacific routes are rich with business travelers and, until recently, relatively competition-free.

United, for one, has 15 747-400's on order, all of which will be deployed on the Pacific routes.

"United still has its Pacific routes, which is a large advantage," he said.

No trace was found, despite a search of the Pacific route by rescue airplanes.

The major reason was the Pacific routes: For example.

And the airline has received approval to fly many more Pacific routes than it currently does.

The weather across the Pacific routes was good, and all the flights had ample reserve fuel.

United is now spending heavily to promote its Pacific routes.

And the division holds rights to Pacific routes that it has yet to exploit.

However, many international carriers continued to use the 747 on Pacific routes.