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United Airlines Unveils Details About its New International First Class Suite
United Airlines today unveiled initial details about the previously announced $165 million upgrade to its international widebody fleet that includes a new luxurious United First Suite, which provides passengers with more privacy, personal space and comfort on overseas flights. The new suite was designed to be the optimal space to work, sleep or relax while enjoying the latest entertainment and exclusive amenities.
“Our premium customers have told us what would make them more relaxed and comfortable, and we’re using their feedback to shape our new first class products and services,” said Graham Atkinson, United's executive vice president and chief customer officer. “Our goal is to improve space, amenities and services, so we can enhance the entire international premium travel experience on United, from check-in to arrival.”
The new First Suite is nearly three inches wider than the existing, popular United First Suite and reclines to multiple angles or serves as a fully flat 6-foot, 6-inch bed.
Each suite offers a cutting-edge entertainment system providing a 15.4-inch widescreen flat panel monitor with an on-demand digital video and music system that offers multiple selections of movies, TV programs and video games. United also will offer 50 channels of XM-branded audio content, delivering more than 3,000 songs and a jukebox to create customized play lists. Both the entertainment system navigation controls and content will be offered in several languages.
Among the suite’s amenities are:
- a 110-volt universal plug for laptop power, compatible with power outlets for 145 countries.
- a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port to charge personal electronic devices, such as personal digital assistants, cell phones and digital cameras.
- Multiple stowage compartments to accommodate a laptop bag and other personal items.
- noise-canceling headphones.
- an Apple iPod connector that enables customers to play their own music and video on their suite’s entertainment unit, as well as recharges the iPod unit.
United will begin introducing the luxury First Suites in the fourth quarter of 2007 and upgrade its entire 97 aircraft widebody international fleet, which includes B767, B777 and B747 aircraft. Earlier this year, United announced its strategy to provide differentiated products and services to its premium customers. More details about United’s international travel enhancements, including upgrades to its onboard service, will be announced in the coming months.
United is the only U.S. airline that offers three cabins of service on all of its international, overseas flights. In addition to first and business services, United offers economy class that includes Economy Plus® seating, which provides up to five extra inches of legroom.
United Airlines new U.S.-China route
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) today awarded the new nonstop U.S.-China route to United Airlines, reinforcing that the route will provide the greatest public benefit and promote the national interest by connecting two of the world’s most important capitals.
In its decision, DOT found that “United’s Washington (Dulles)-Beijing proposal has important advantages that should benefit the traveling public while also enhancing sustainability of the service.”
“We applaud the Department of Transportation on their fair and thorough process and for putting the interest of the nation and the traveling public first,” said Glenn Tilton, United chairman, president and CEO. “United Airlines is honored to be selected as the first carrier to connect the governments, commerce and cultures of these two important capital cities.”
The route that will connect the Washington, D.C., region with Beijing will launch within 90 days of DOT’s final order. DOT selected the daily service between Dulles International Airport outside Washington, D.C., and Beijing Capital International Airport over proposals from American, Continental and Northwest airlines.
“Our success would not have been possible without the broad base of support, including our employees, that also recognizes the importance of this long-overdue air service,” Tilton said.
A diverse group of business and community leaders led by the Capital-to-Capital Coalition advocated for the air route. It garnered significant support from 110 members of Congress and a formidable slate of former senior government officials from eight presidential administrations and both houses of Congress, China policy experts, business and civic leaders, transportation officials, top aviation unions, and more than 110,000 United customers and employees.
Jim Bennett, president and CEO of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, and Jane Garvey, former FAA administrator under Presidents William J. Clinton and George W. Bush, chair the coalition.
“In making its prudent decision, it is clear DOT strongly considered both the national interest and the individual communities served by the route,” Garvey said. “Creating a link between Washington and Beijing is an important step in the effort to connect the United States and China some 30 years after diplomatic relations were normalized.”
United Airlines daily nonstop service between Rome and Washington
United Airlines today inaugurated a daily nonstop service between Rome and Washington D.C. This is the only nonstop scheduled flight between the Italian and American capitals. The route was inaugurated this morning at Fiumicino Airport where customers and invited guests celebrated the start of the service.
Commenting on the new service, the US Ambassador to Italy, Ronald Spogli, said: “This is a great day for United Airlines, for the United States, and also a great day for Italy. I am very happy that we have a new direct air service between our two capitals. In addition to being a literal flight path for Italians in America, Americans in Italy, and indeed all business, student, and pleasure travelers flying between our countries, a non-stop flight between Rome and Washington illustrates the very strong and deep ties between Italy and the United States, and the very high regard the United States has for Italy.”
The Chief Executive Officer of Aeroporti di Roma, Maurizio Basile, said: “We are delighted to host this nonstop daily flight between the capital cities of Italy and the USA. United’s decision to launch this route is further confirmation of the growing importance of Rome as a destination.”
“We are pleased to launch a route that will serve business, leisure and cargo customers, further demonstrating our commitment to expanding our global network. Rome is one of the world’s top tourism destinations, particularly for Americans – and more Italians are discovering the cultural attractions of the Washington D.C. capital region,” said Pete McDonald, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for United Airlines.
Passengers boarding the first flight from Rome were presented with a certificate to mark the occasion.
The service to Rome strengthens Washington Dulles as United's international gateway on America’s East Coast. It also underpins United’s commitment to serving Europe, with other flights into Washington Dulles from London, Paris, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Brussels, Zurich and Munich. The new flight is operated with a Boeing 777 configured with three classes of service – First, Business and Economy as well as Economy Plus.
The flight schedule between Washington D.C. and Rome is as follows:
- Rome to Washington Dulles UA 967 11:15 a.m. 3:00 p.m.
- Washington Dulles to Rome UA 966 6:16 p.m. 8:50 a.m. (next day)
All routes and frequencies are subject to change. The new Rome service offers connecting flights from Washington to a range of destinations across the US. Passengers can earn miles in the Mileage Plus frequent flyer programme and in Miles & More and other Star Alliance member programmes. Customers can book by calling United Reservations in Italy on 026 963 3707.
United Airlines Teams Up with Apple
As part of United's plans to upgrade its international first and business class travel experience for customers, United and Apple have teamed up to add iPod connectivity to United's inflight entertainment service. This connectivity will enable customers to plug-in and charge their iPod, watch movies and TV shows on their iPod using United’s big-screen monitors, as well as listen to their entire music library on United’s noise-cancellation headsets.
“There is significant value in offering a superior inflight entertainment experience to our first and business class customers during their international flights,” said Graham Atkinson, executive vice president and chief customer officer. “We are identifying what matters most to our premium customers and then delivering the right products and services – like the iPod connectivity – to meet those needs.”
United announced earlier this year that it will upgrade its first and business class products and services beginning next year and reconfigure the entire international wide-body fleet throughout the next two to three years. Current plans include overhauling ground and onboard products and services to enhance the entire premium travel experience – from when customers check-in to when they arrive at their destination.
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