United Airlines Expands Asia Service

United Airlines is to launch a new service between Nagoya, Japan, and Taipei, Taiwan, increase service on its existing route between Chicago and Hong Kong, and operate larger aircraft on its Chicago-Beijing summer service.

"We are thrilled that our customers continue to encourage United's expansion in international markets, particularly throughout Asia," said Mark Schwab, vice president-Pacific. "Demand for passenger, both business and leisure, and cargo service to the region has significantly increased over the last few months, enabling United to offer customers more convenient, award-winning travel options and more cargo capacity between the United States and the Pacific region."

New service

Beginning April 29, United Flight 831 will depart Nagoya daily at 6:15 p.m. and arrive in Taipei at 8:15 p.m. the same day. Starting April 30, United Flight 830 will depart Taipei daily at 9:30 a.m. and arrive in Nagoya at 1:20 p.m. the same day. United will operate this combined passenger and cargo service using a Boeing 777 aircraft configured with 12 United First seats, 49 United Business seats and 197 United Economy seats, including 83 Economy Plus seats. Customers who book and fly a paid, qualifying roundtrip flight through united.com by Dec. 31, 2005, can earn a booking bonus of 1,000 bonus miles.

The new Nagoya-Taipei service, the first by a Star Alliance member connecting the two cities, provides San Francisco customers greater options to Asia, as it will offer one-stop, same-plane service between San Francisco and Taipei, via Nagoya. Mileage Plus members traveling on this route can earn double bonus miles on paid qualifying flights between April 29, 2005, and June 11, 2005.

Expanded service

United is advancing its scheduled increase in flights on its existing daily service between Chicago and Hong Kong to May 6, 2005, from the originally scheduled date of June 7, 2005. The boost in service will add three more flights each week between the two cities, for a total of 10 weekly flights, and up to 50 tons weekly of extra cargo space nonstop to and from Hong Kong. The new flights will depart Chicago O'Hare beginning May 6 at 3:10 p.m. on Tues., Fri. and Sun., arriving in Hong Kong at 7:45 p.m. the following day. Chicago-bound flights will depart Hong Kong on Tues., Fri. and Sun. beginning May 8 at 10:10 a.m., arriving in Chicago at 11:40 a.m. the same day. United will operate this combined passenger and cargo service using a Boeing 747 aircraft configured with 14 United First Suite seats, 73 United Business seats and 260 United Economy seats, including 88 Economy Plus seats.

United also offers a daily service between San Francisco and Hong Kong, as well as daily service between Hong Kong and Narita, Singapore, and Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon).

Aircraft size upgrade

Strong demand on United's daily service between Chicago and Beijing, China, has driven an upgrade in aircraft size from a Boeing 777 to a Boeing 747 for the summer service on this route.

"Our strong alliance partnership with Air China has contributed to the increased customer demand on this route," said Mike Whitaker, vice president-Alliances, International & Regulatory Affairs.

From June 6 through October 29, the larger aircraft will handle passengers and cargo departing Chicago O'Hare daily on United Flight 851 at 12:10 p.m., arriving in Beijing the next day at 2:40 p.m., increasing passenger capacity from 253 to 347 seats. From June 7 through Oct. 30, United Flight 850 will depart Beijing at 4:35 p.m. and arrive in Chicago at 4:15 p.m. the same day.

This year, nonstop service from San Francisco to Nagoya, Japan, is scheduled to begin on March 26.

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