United Airlines Adds Mercedes-Benz Tarmac Transfer Service at Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES, May 14, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- United Airlines today expanded its Mercedes-Benz tarmac transportation service to Los Angeles International Airport, offering the airline's top frequent flyers increased comfort and a new way to save time when connecting through the airline's hub.

United will chauffeur selected Global Services members and United Global First customers to their connections in Los Angeles using its fleet of Mercedes-Benz GL350 BlueTEC SUVs, powered by environmentally friendly, clean diesel technology. United representatives will meet customers at the aircraft, escort them to the waiting Mercedes-Benz vehicle and drive them across the tarmac to their connecting flight. The expediting service gives priority to customers with close connections. 

United also offers the transfer service at its hubs in Chicago, Houston, Newark and San Francisco, and the airline plans to further expand it this year.

"We recognize that many of our customers value time above all else when traveling, and our tarmac transportation service demonstrates one of the thoughtful ways we can provide greater efficiency throughout their travels," said Jimmy Samartzis, United's vice president of customer experience. "With the expansion of the tarmac transfer service to Los Angeles, we continue to anticipate the needs of our most valuable customers when traveling through our hubs."

Along with tarmac transportation, the airline and Mercedes-Benz USA partner to provide attractive promotional packages and bonus miles to United's MileagePlus Premier members, which include Global Services members, who purchase or lease certain new Mercedes vehicles. Current offers are available at united.com/Mercedes.

Earlier this year, United opened a new Global Services reception lobby for its top frequent flyers at the airline's New York hub at Newark Liberty International airport. Later this year, United plans to open a Global Services reception lobby at San Francisco International Airport. In June, the airline will unveil an all-new United Club airport lounge and United Global First Lounge at London Heathrow International Airport's new Terminal 2, The Queen's Terminal.  

United at Los Angeles International Airport
With its hub in Los Angeles, United employs more than 4,500 in the metro area. The airline operates nearly 200 daily flights to more than 65 destinations worldwide out of Los Angeles International Airport. United offers daily p.s. Premium Service transcontinental flights between Los Angeles and New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport, complete with 180-degree flat-bed United BusinessFirst seats, inflight Wi-Fi and power outlets and USB outlets at every seat. In October 2014, United will launch new service from Los Angeles to Melbourne, Australia, using the Boeing 787-9. This will be the longest Dreamliner-operated flight of any carrier.

About United
United Airlines and United Express operate an average of more than 5,200 flights a day to 369 airports across six continents. In 2013, United and United Express carried more passenger traffic than any other airline in the world and operated nearly two million flights carrying 139 million customers. United operates nearly 700 mainline aircraft and, in 2014, will take delivery of 35 new Boeing aircraft, including the B787-9 as the North American launch customer, and will welcome 27 new E175 aircraft to United Express. The airline is a founding member of Star Alliance, which provides service to 195 countries via 26 member airlines. More than 85,000 United employees reside in every U.S. state and in countries around the world. For more information, visit united.com, follow @United on Twitter or connect on Facebook. The common stock of United's parent, United Continental Holdings, Inc., is traded on the NYSE under the symbol UAL.

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SOURCE United Airlines