United Airlines Makes Major Investments for Customers at San Francisco International Airport

CHICAGO, Jan. 9, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- United Airlines and its partners at San Francisco International Airport are preparing to open the newly renovated Boarding Area E in Terminal 3, which will provide United customers ultra-modern, flyer-friendly conveniences that elevate their travel experience.

Scheduled to re-open Jan. 28, the 68,800-square-foot boarding area will reflect the airport's status as the nation's premier West Coast aviation hub. Designed to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, Boarding Area E will offer 10 gates for United customers and will be able to accommodate more than 50 departures each day.

Boarding Area E will offer an up-close view of the airfield and the Bay Area from a 23-foot-high window wall. Customers will enjoy several other amenities, including:

• The "Flight Deck" – an interactive information and entertainment area for guests to enjoy and explore
• Comfortable seating options that include the iconic Fritz Hansen "egg" chairs and swivel lounge chairs
• Dining and concession options from Bay Area vendors, such as Klein's Deli
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
• Nine state-of-the-art work stations and access to more than 375 power outlets
• A yoga room
• An interactive kids' play area designed by Bay Area artist Eric Staller

"We're pleased to work with San Francisco International Airport on the redesign of Boarding Area E, which is focused on our customers and the things they've told us are important," said Kate Gebo, United's vice president of corporate real estate. "United continues to modernize our terminal facilities, United Club lounges and gate areas, to offer customers a simpler, friendlier airport experience."

Additional Investments

United is making other investments in Terminal 3, including a new reception area for the airline's Global Services customers and a new check-in area for MileagePlus Premier customers, both scheduled to open in September.

Also:

• United recently began construction of a new Station Operations Center, from which the airline manages its departures, arrivals and customer service at the airport. The center is scheduled to open in April.
• United anticipates moving its existing Terminal 1 Boarding Area B operations to Terminal 3 by mid-May, simplifying connections for customers.
• A new United Club is scheduled to open during the summer of 2015.

San Francisco Leadership Announcement

Additionally, United today announced it has appointed Mike Hanna, the airline's managing director of San Francisco operations and customer service, to the position of vice president, underscoring the importance of the San Francisco hub.

Since Hanna assumed leadership of the hub in May 2012, United's operational performance has improved significantly, with baggage-handling reliability up 25 percent in 2013 versus 2012, and "controllable delays" – those not attributed, for example, to inclement weather – down nearly 50 percent for mainline flights and more than 40 percent for regional flights. Satisfaction among San Francisco customers, as measured from post-travel surveys, has increased six-fold since mid-2012.

United at San Francisco International Airport

United is the largest carrier at San Francisco International Airport, offering nearly 300 daily flights to 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 2012, United and United Express carried more passenger traffic than any other airline in the world and operated nearly two million flights carrying 140 million customers. United is investing in upgrading its onboard products and now offers more flat-bed seats in its premium cabins and more extra-legroom, economy-class seating than any airline in North America. In 2013, United became the first U.S.-based international carrier to offer satellite-based Wi-Fi on long-haul overseas routes. The airline also features DIRECTV® on more than 200 aircraft, offering customers more live television access than any other airline in the world. United operates nearly 700 mainline aircraft and has made large-scale investments in its fleet. 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. According to the 4^th annual Switchfly Reward Seat Availability Survey published by IdeaWorksCompany in May 2013, United has the most saver-style award-seat availability among the largest U.S. global airlines. Air Transport World named United as 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