News

United achieves single passenger service system

6 Mar 2012

The new United Airlines – a merger of Continental Airlines and United Airlines – has officially completed the process that sees both carriers function as one airline.

According to Walter Dias, managing director, Greater China and Korea, United Airlines, March 3 marked the migration to a single passenger service system, which saw ticket purchases, seat assignments and flight status that previously had to be done on separate websites now consolidated. In addition, check-in counters, executive lounges and boarding areas in 375 airports around the world sport the new identity and logo, reported Dias, adding: “The Continental name has faded out.”

In December of last year, the US Federal Aviation Administration awarded United its single operating certificate, representing 18 months of rigorous efforts by a team of 500 employees from both companies to achieve seamless integration.

The next significant step, Dias said, involved the US$550 million upgrade of its premium cabin products, including the rebranding of its international, long-haul premium-cabin services to United Global First on a three-cabin aircraft, and United BusinessFirst on a two cabin and three-cabin aircraft. “We are putting in the new United what United customers liked such as the EconomyPlus seats and what Continental customers also liked such as the ice-cream sundae.”

There is still some work to be completed. For example the finishing of the installation of more extra legroom economy class seats which are already on 400 United mainline aircraft and 150 regional jets. This also goes for flat beds, already found on over 130 United aircraft. Wifi connectivity is another enhancement set to be rolled out from middle of this year on the Airbus 319, 320 and Boeing 747, 757, 767, 777 and 787 aircraft. Using Panasonic’s "Ku-band" satellite technology, passengers will be able to use their wireless devices (laptops, smart phones and tablets) onboard to stay connected to their offices and families as well as tap into United’s inflight entertainment system. By 2015, the entire mainline fleet will be wifi equipped.

And, as the launch US and North American airline customer of the 787, United will first use the aircraft on domestic routes before deploying it on international services, "to get our employees used to it", said Dias. It expects to take delivery of a 787 sometime this year (see news), the first of 50 on order.

New routes in the months ahead include flights between Washington and Manchester, Dublin and Doha via Dubai as well as a New York/Newark Liberty-Buenos Aires flight.

For more details about the new United, visit www.united.com

Margie T Logarta
 

Loading comments...

Search Flight

See a whole year of Reward Seat Availability on one page at SeatSpy.com

Business Traveller March 2024 edition
Business Traveller March 2024 edition
Be up-to-date
Magazine Subscription
To see our latest subscription offers for Business Traveller editions worldwide, click on the Subscribe & Save link below
Polls