United Airlines Offers New Yorkers All Flat-Bed Seats, On-Demand Entertainment in Premium Cabins

NEW YORK, May 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- United Airlines announced that, effective today, the airline is the only U.S. carrier offering 180-degree flat-bed seats and personal on-demand entertainment in premium cabins on every scheduled, long-haul international flight from the New York area.

United has outfitted 182 international aircraft with all-new United Global First and United BusinessFirst cabins. With more than 450 daily departures to more than 150 cities, United offers the most nonstop flights to the most destinations around the world from New York's three major airports – Newark Liberty, Kennedy and LaGuardia. United also offers the most flat-bed seats and the most extra-legroom economy seats from New York's three major airports.

"We continue to invest in every aspect of the customer experience – online, in our airports and in the air," said Jeff Foland, United's executive vice president – marketing, technology and strategy. "With more robust online and mobile tools, more modern terminal facilities and lounges, on-demand entertainment and a growing number of our aircraft with global satellite Wi-Fi, we are working to ensure we remain the New York region's best choice for air travel."

United in New York/Newark

United operates a major global gateway hub at Newark Liberty, the most convenient airline hub to Wall Street and Times Square and the only New York-area airport served directly by regional and national rail lines. Customers departing from or arriving at Newark Liberty can transit between the Newark Liberty International Airport rail station and United's terminals within minutes. The rail station offers immediate access to New York Pennsylvania Station, New Jersey and southern New York State.

This week, United detailed $150 million in plans to redesign the airline's Terminal C check-in facilities at Newark Liberty, install new flight-information displays, deploy a new checked-baggage screening system and complete construction of a widebody maintenance hangar.

Inflight Experience

In addition to its terminal investments and improvements to its long-haul international aircraft, United is upgrading its transcontinental p.s. Premium Service aircraft that fly from New York Kennedy to San Francisco and Los Angeles. The Boeing 757 aircraft will, once retrofitted, offer flat-bed premium cabin seats and Wi-Fi and personal on-demand entertainment available throughout the aircraft. The fourth p.s. aircraft to be retrofitted enters service in June. The airline anticipates completing the entire p.s. fleet by year-end.

United is also outfitting aircraft with satellite Wi-Fi, offering inflight connectivity on long-haul international flights. The airline expects to have more than 200 aircraft with satellite Wi-Fi before the end of the year.

This month, United deployed the 200th aircraft with live television, giving United the world's largest fleet of aircraft equipped with live television.

United.com and Mobile Technology

United offers customers the convenience of booking and managing travel online and via mobile devices. The airline offers the most saver-style award seats for frequent flyers among the largest U.S. global carriers, according to the 4th annual Switchfly Reward Seat Availability Survey published this month by IdeaWorksCompany.

Additionally, the airline offers customers the ability to book and manage travel on the four largest mobile operating systems.

About United

United Airlines and United Express operate an average of 5,446 flights a day to more than 370 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 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. In 2013, United will continue to modernize its fleet by taking delivery of more than two dozen new Boeing aircraft. The company expanded its industry-leading global route network in 2012, launching nine new international and 18 new domestic routes. Business Traveler magazine awarded United Best Airline for North American Travel for 2012, and readers of Global Traveler magazine have voted United's MileagePlus program the best frequent flyer program for nine consecutive years. According to the 4th 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. United is a founding member of Star Alliance, which provides service to 194 countries via 27 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