UNITED UNVEILS ONBOARD ENHANCEMENTS TO ITS INTERNATIONAL AIRCRAFT; INTRODUCES ECONOMY PLUS AND ENHANCED BUSINESS CLASS

United Airlines (NYSE:UAL) today announced that it is reconfiguring its fleet of three-cabin international aircraft to create an Economy Plus product that provides business travelers and its most loyal customers with significantly more legroom. In doing so, United becomes the first U.S. airline to offer a premium seating area in the front of Economy that offers up to five additional inches of legroom for both its domestic and international customers. United also unveiled plans to enhance United Business class throughout its international fleet to offer customers an additional seven inches of legroom.

"With three-class service featuring an award-winning business class and the state-of-the art United First Suite, United is the clear choice for international travelers," said Graham Atkinson, United Airlines senior vice president—marketing. "Now with the introduction of the hugely popular Economy Plus product throughout our international fleet, United once again sets itself apart from its U.S. competitors."

According to Atkinson, United’s decision to introduce these enhancements in all three classes of its international fleet was driven by customer demand, and a commitment on the airline’s part to deliver comfortable products to customers in a timely and consistent manner. Atkinson added that the United First Suite is available on the majority of United’s international aircraft now, and the airline has started a program to deliver the additional enhancements to customers as soon as possible.

"United is committed to improving the travel experience for all of our international customers, and one way to make good on that promise is to offer unparalleled comfort in every class of service," said Atkinson. "We also recognize that customers expect these products to be introduced in a timely manner. That is why United is launching an aggressive program to complete its entire fleet of three-cabin international aircraft at the end of the fourth quarter of 2001."

Two aircraft that feature Economy Plus and enhanced United Business are already in service, and United has established the following timeline to complete the enhancements to its fleet of three-cabin international aircraft:
 

A select number of Boeing 777 aircraft are not yet scheduled to receive Economy Plus or United Business class enhancements.

The introduction of Economy Plus and the enhanced United Business cabin will limit United’s year 2001 system-wide capacity growth to between 2.5 and 3.0 percent. International growth will be between 4.5 and five percent. Domestic capacity growth is expected to be between one and 1.5 percent.

Economy Plus

Pitch in the Economy Plus seating area will be up to 36 inches globally versus the standard 31 inches in Economy, and will offer customers 35 percent more personal space.

Advance assignment of Economy Plus seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis to United Airlines’ Mileage Plus members who have Premier status or above. Premier status is achieved when Mileage Plus members travel 25,000 paid miles on United or Star Alliance carriers, or 30 or more segments in one calendar year.

Customers who are traveling on a full fare economy class ticket can also receive a pre-assigned seat in Economy Plus. Also qualifying are all Star Alliance Gold and Star Alliance Silver travelers. The number of seats in Economy Plus will vary from 71 to 88, depending on the type of aircraft.

United Business

The enhanced United Business class will offer customers an additional seven inches of legroom, and 20 percent more personal space. Seats in United Business will also recline to 150 degrees, providing customers with a more comfortable sleeping environment.

United’s business class seats are equipped with in-seat phones with data transmission ports, laptop computer power outlets, personal video screens that feature 9-channels of entertainment, multiple audio channels that feature a variety of entertainment, and noise-reducing headsets. The ergonomically designed seats have adjustable leg and headrests and lumbar support, and include the patented "back-cycler" mechanism that provides massage-like relief to customers during long flights.

United First Suite

More than a seat, the state-of-the-art United First Suite is a personal environment that can convert from an airborne office to a six foot, six inch-long bed at the push of a button. United First Suite customers can enjoy unparalleled personal space with 78 inches of pitch and a unique herring-bone layout that places every suite in the United First class cabin on an aisle.

The United First Suite offers customers personal video screens that feature 9-channels of entertainment as well as personal video selections that are also provided onboard. Multiple audio channels and noise–reducing headsets complete the entertainment offerings.

For customers who choose to work before relaxing or sleeping, the United First Suite has all of the amenities needed for an airborne office including: in-seat phones with data transmission ports; laptop power outlets and generous personal storage and workspace.

The ergonomically designed seats have adjustable leg and headrests and lumbar support, and include the patented "back-cycler" mechanism that provides massage-like relief to customers during long flights.

United offers nearly 2,300 flights each day on a network that spans the globe.