United Airlines Unveils a New Look in Celebration of 25 Years at Newark Terminal C, Region's Original Airline Hub

NEWARK, N.J. and NEW YORK, May 21, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- United Airlines today will celebrate the 25^th anniversary of the airline's Terminal C hub facility at Newark Liberty International Airport, one of the world's most modern airport terminals and the cornerstone of the original and largest New York/New Jersey airline hub.

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Travelers arriving and departing at Newark Liberty today will join United employees in an anniversary celebration between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the upper level United Airlines ticket counter, where customers will have opportunities to earn prizes, travel discounts and bonus MileagePlus miles, and see the airline's new uniforms for the first time. The airline is also setting up a temporary exhibit during the two-hour period demonstrating how air travel has evolved since 1988.

"We are pleased to celebrate United's long history at our Newark hub - a premier global gateway and a powerful economic engine," said Jeff Smisek, United's chairman, president and chief executive officer. "We continue to make investments in our terminal facilities, our services and our people to ensure United's Terminal C remains a great place for our customers and co-workers."

"Thanks to the Port Authority's strong partnership with United, Newark Liberty has become not only a world-class airport but also an important driver of economic growth, jobs and development for the entire region," said Port Authority Chairman David Samson. "The continued investment in Newark Liberty's facilities will ensure that the airport, and Terminal C specifically, remains a modern, premier gateway for travelers."

As part of the event, Smisek will outline the airline's plans for further investments at Terminal C, including:

• a redesign of the airline's check-in facilities
• installation in gate areas of flight-information displays that offer customers more detailed information about their flights
• construction of a widebody maintenance hangar that economic development officials anticipate will drive $52 million in economic activity in the region
• a new checked-baggage screening system.

In addition:

• Nearly two dozen United pilots, flight attendants, customer service agents and ramp workers will participate in an in-terminal fashion show that will debut the new uniforms that United employees worldwide will wear beginning on June 25. This is the first time that all employees at the new United will wear the same uniforms.
• Buddy Valastro, co-owner of the Hoboken, N.J. bakery Carlo's Bakery and star of the TLC program "Cake Boss," will join the program to present a cake made specifically for the occasion.
• At 1:15 p.m., the first Boeing 787 Dreamliner to fly from any of the three New York-area airports since the aircraft re-entered service will depart for Houston.
• This afternoon, United will send photos of iconic locations throughout Manhattan via Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, meeting up with the company's friends and followers in social media.

United in New York/Newark: The Hub for Wall Street

With more than 13,000 local employees, United is the New York area's largest airline, offering more flights and more seats from the region to more destinations around the world than any other airline in history.

Since the first flight from Terminal C - the 6:15 a.m. departure of Continental flight 839 to Denver from gate 72 on the morning of May 22, 1988 - flights to and from the facility have enabled investment and economic development for the New York metropolitan area, including Newark. In 1988, Continental offered service to 57 airports from Newark Airport. United today offers more than 400 flights each day from Newark Liberty to more than 150 destinations in North and South America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia, giving New York-area travelers more flights and more destinations via United and United Express than any other airline.

Newark Liberty's location and rail links make it the most convenient hub airport for travelers originating in north and central New Jersey, parts of New York City including Wall Street, and southern New York State.

The airline also offers New York-area travelers more flat beds in premium cabins and more extra-legroom economy seats than any other airline. In addition, the airline boasts:

• the most saver-style award seats for frequent flyers among the largest U.S. global carriers, according to the 4^th annual Switchfly Reward Seat Availability Survey published this month by IdeaWorksCompany.
• more aircraft offering satellite Wi-Fi and live television than any other U.S. airline.

Terminal C History

In 1985, People Express Airlines and the Port Authority agreed to remodel the existing Terminal C facility. After its 1987 mergers with People Express and New York Air, which itself had a large Newark presence, Continental Airlines completed the terminal redevelopment project in conjunction with the Port Authority.

In 2001, Continental opened the Global Gateway, a $3.8 billion public-private partnership. The centerpiece of that project was the third concourse in Terminal C, "C-3," designed to be bright and airy with gates constructed to enable international travelers to arrive at Terminal C - rather than solely at Terminal B - adding convenience and quicker connections.

The Global Gateway also introduced the only rail station at a New York-area airport located in close proximity to the terminals, enabling Newark Liberty travelers direct AirTrain rail access to New York City's Pennsylvania Station, New York State, New Jersey, Connecticut and Philadelphia.

Continental and the Port Authority also outfitted Terminal C with new roadways, parking garages, expanded electronic ticketing facilities, new terminal designs to facilitate more efficient security screening and an automated baggage handling system.

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 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. 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