United Airlines Expands Mercedes-Benz Tarmac Service to San Francisco for the Spring

CHICAGO, March 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- United Airlines today expanded its Mercedes-Benz tarmac transportation service to San Francisco International Airport, offering members of the airline's invitation-only Global Services program greater comfort and convenience throughout their travel experience.

United will offer the tarmac service this spring – using Mercedes-Benz GL350 BlueTEC SUVs with environmentally friendly clean diesel technology – to chauffeur some Global Services members and United Global First customers to their connections in San Francisco. 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 introduced its tarmac transportation service last summer at its hubs in Chicago and Houston. Earlier this year, the airline launched tarmac transportation and unveiled an all-new Global Services check-in lobby at Newark Liberty International Airport.

"We are delighted to offer our busiest travelers, for whom time is so important, another way to make their travel easier and more convenient," said Jimmy Samartzis, United's vice president of customer experience. "With the tarmac transfer service, our investments in the new Boarding Area E in Terminal 3 and new terminal facilities to come, we are strengthening San Francisco as the region's premier hub and the nation's best trans-Pacific gateway."

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

San Francisco Airport Investments
United is making several flyer-friendly investments in San Francisco International Airport in 2014, including the ultra-modern Boarding Area E in Terminal 3 that opened to United customers in January. Later this year in Terminal 3, the airline plans to open a Global Services check-in lobby, similar to its Global Services lobbies in Chicago and New York/Newark, as well as a new check-in area for MileagePlus Premier customers.

United at San Francisco International Airport
United is the largest carrier at San Francisco International Airport, offering nearly 300 daily flights to just over 90 destinations worldwide, more than any other airline from the Bay Area. From its San Francisco hub, United also offers more nonstop trans-Pacific service to and from the United States than any other airline. With nearly 30 daily nonstop flights to 20 international destinations, United will add two more international destinations from San Francisco this year, when it begins nonstop service to Taipei, Taiwan, in March and to Chengdu, China, in June.

About United
United Airlines and United Express operate an average of more than 5,300 flights a day to more than 360 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 is delivering a more flyer-friendly experience, offering more premium-cabin flat-bed seats and extra-legroom, economy-class seating than any airline in North America. In 2013, United became the first U.S. global carrier to offer satellite-based Wi-Fi, including on long-haul overseas routes. The airline also features DIRECTV® on more than 200 aircraft, with more live television access than any airline in the world. United operates nearly 700 mainline aircraft and, in 2014, will take delivery of 35 new Boeing aircraft and welcome the E175 aircraft to United Express. Business Traveler magazine awarded United Best Airline for North American Travel for 2013, and readers of Global Traveler magazine have voted United's MileagePlus program the Best Frequent-Flyer program for 10 consecutive years. Air Transport World named United the Eco-Aviation Airline of the Year Gold Winner in 2013. United is a founding member of Star Alliance, which provides service to 195 countries via 28 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 or follow United on Twitter and 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