Westin Hotels & Resorts and United Airlines Team Up to Offer a Heavenly Experience in the Sky

    WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. and CHICAGO, Feb. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
 Westin Hotels & Resorts and United Airlines jointly announced today a
 partnership that will treat all first and business class customers who fly
 United's p.s. service to a new level of comfort with Westin's Heavenly
 Bed(R) products. This partnership marks the first time that hotel-branded
 bedding is taken to the sky by a U.S. airline. Also, as part of this
 partnership, select United Red Carpet Clubs in New York (JFK), Los Angeles
 and San Francisco will debut custom-designed Westin Renewal Lounges later
 this year: private areas outfitted with luxurious touches from Westin to
 create a calming oasis where travelers can relax before or after their
 flight.
 
     Inspired by the iconic all-white, ten-layer Westin Heavenly Bed,
 United's first and business class p.s. service between New York and
 California will include a signature oversized Heavenly blanket and pillow
 -- bringing a new level of luxury and comfort to flying. The Westin Renewal
 Lounge areas will provide Red Carpet Club guests with a soothing
 environment with many spa-like amenities for relaxing and escaping the
 hustle and bustle of an airport.
 
     "Who would have thought our signature Heavenly bedding would reach
 35,000 feet? We are thrilled to be the first hotel company to partner with
 an airline, bringing our highly regarded bed amenities to travelers in
 flight," said Sue Brush, senior vice president of Westin Hotels & Resorts.
 "At Westin, we continually strive to provide the services and amenities
 that make guests feel renewed. Through this exciting new partnership we can
 reach beyond our doors and help United's p.s. customers relax in luxury
 during their travels, whether in the sky or on the ground in a United Red
 Carpet Club."
 
     "It is important that when our guests spend their valuable time with
 United, they feel relaxed and rewarded," said Graham Atkinson, executive
 vice president and Chief Customer Officer, United Airlines. "By partnering
 with Westin, we can welcome aboard our first and business class guests with
 luxurious pillows and blankets, and treat some of our Red Carpet Club
 visitors to a calming oasis that feels miles away from the airport. No
 other airline in the U.S. can offer this level of hotel-branded luxury
 today, and we are proud to offer it to our valued guests first."
 
     The Westin-United partnership joins a host of initiatives at both
 companies to improve the guest experience.
 
     Initiatives aimed at personal renewal recently introduced by Westin
 Hotels & Resorts include a groundbreaking SuperFoods menu and an in-room
 spa program that includes a custom-designed portable spa table inspired by
 the Heavenly Bed(TM). Additionally, properties across the globe host
 Unwind(SM) ... a Westin evening ritual -- mini lessons, tastings and art
 installments that help guests connect with each other and the culture of
 their surroundings.
 
     As part of its multi-million dollar investment to improve the customer
 experience, United recently inaugurated its newly-enhanced international
 aircraft, featuring the first 180-degree, lie-flat business class seat to
 be offered by a major U.S. airline. Other customer experience enhancements
 include redesigned airport lobbies and separate security and boarding lanes
 for premium customers at most of United's busiest airports. United also
 renewed its partnership with world-famous and legendary Chicago
 Restaurateur, Chef Charlie Trotter, and Doug Frost, one of only three
 people in the world to hold both the title of Master Sommelier and Master
 of Wine, to help create its menus and select wine.
 
     About Westin Hotels & Resorts
 
     Westin Hotels & Resorts, with 150 hotels and resorts in more than 31
 countries and territories, is owned by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide,
 Inc. (NYSE:   HOT). Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the
 leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with approximately 890
 properties in more than 100 countries and 145,000 employees at its owned
 and managed properties. Starwood(R) Hotels is a fully integrated owner,
 operator and franchisor of hotels and resorts with the following
 internationally renowned brands: St. Regis(R), The Luxury Collection(R),
 W(R), Westin(R), Le Meridien(R), Sheraton(R), Four Points(R) by Sheraton,
 Aloft(SM), and Element(SM). Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation
 Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high
 quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please
 visit http://www.starwoodhotels.com.
 
     About United
 
     United Airlines (Nasdaq:   UAUA) operates more than 3,300* flights a day
 on United, United Express and Ted to more than 200 U.S. domestic and
 international destinations from its hubs in Los Angeles, San Francisco,
 Denver, Chicago and Washington, D.C. With key global air rights in the
 Asia-Pacific region, Europe and Latin America, United is one of the largest
 international carriers based in the United States. United also is a
 founding member of Star Alliance, which provides connections for our
 customers to 897 destinations in 160 countries worldwide. United's 55,000
 employees reside in every U.S. state and in many countries around the
 world. News releases and other information about United can be found at the
 company's Web site at united.com.
 
     *Based on the flight schedule between Feb. 12, 2008 and Dec. 31, 2008.
 
 
 

SOURCE United Airlines; Westin Hotels & Resorts