CHICAGO,
Aug. 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- United Airlines' first
international aircraft to complete the company's multi-million dollar product
enhancement is scheduled to take flight on
Oct. 29, 2007 from Washington
Dulles to
Frankfurt. With its true flat-bed seats, on-demand entertainment and
other spruced up amenities, the
Boeing 767 will provide customers with the
optimal space to work, sleep or relax while traveling overseas.
With the inaugural Washington, D.C.-Frankfurt flight, United earns the
distinction of becoming the first U.S. carrier to offer 180-degree, lie-flat
beds in business class on overseas flights.
"The inaugural flight promises to be an exciting occasion for our
customers and employees alike," said Graham Atkinson, United executive vice
president and Chief Customer Officer. "The investments we are making in our
international aircraft will enable our employees to more easily deliver the
high standard of personal service our top customers expect. Soon our guests
will see that from the moment they step onboard and lie in our true flat-bed
seats to the time they arrive at their destinations, they will feel more
relaxed and rewarded."
The first of the 97 international aircraft that will be modified is a
Boeing 767, which after its inaugural flight is scheduled to alternate flying
between Washington, D.C.-Frankfurt and Washington, D.C.-Zurich. Following the
Boeing 767, will be a Boeing 747 that is scheduled to begin flying in
mid-December and a Boeing 777 that is scheduled to fly in early February.
After these three aircraft are modified, the rollout schedule will accelerate
and run in parallel by aircraft type through fall 2009 with approximately one
reconfigured aircraft per week joining the fleet. Customers can learn more
about United's International Premium Travel Experience and the status of its
rollout at suitedreams.united.com.
As part of United's international widebody aircraft investment, United
will also refresh its premium cabin restrooms and in the economy cabin will
add new seat cushions, replace the carpeting and upgrade its inflight
entertainment system with digital servers and new LCD screens.
The new international premium cabins are part of United's strategy of
providing customers with distinct products and services that they expect and
value, with a particular focus on serving more frequent business travelers.
United remains the first and only U.S. airline to offer customers 180-degree,
lie-flat seats in its first and business class cabins on all international
widebody aircraft and a choice of four different seating sections -- United
First, United Business, Economy Plus and Economy.
About United
United Airlines (Nasdaq: UAUA) operates more than 3,600* flights a day on
United, United Express and Ted to more than 200 U.S. domestic and
international destinations from its hubs in Los Angeles, San Francisco,
Denver, Chicago and Washington, D.C. With key global air rights in the
Asia-Pacific region, Europe and Latin America, United is one of the largest
international carriers based in the United States. United also is a founding
member of Star Alliance, which provides connections for our customers to 855
destinations in 155 countries worldwide. United's 55,000 employees reside in
every U.S. state and in many countries around the world. News releases and
other information about United can be found at the company's Web site at
united.com.
*Based on the flight schedule between Jan. 1, 2007 and Dec. 31, 2007.