United Airlines, still integrating its service with merger partner Continental Airlines, said it will upgrading its premium-cabin services to offer customers new food and beverage options, more choices in in-flight entertainment, new amenity kits, pillows and blankets on long-haul international flights
United is also rebranding its international, long-haul premium-cabin services by introducing United Global First, a first-class experience on three-cabin aircraft, and United BusinessFirst, the airline’s new business-class experience on two-cabin and three-cabin aircraft. Beginning March 3 on long-haul international flights and many flights within Asia and the Pacific, first-class customers on three-cabin aircraft can experience United Global First, including a flat-bed seat, priority airport services and more-personal attention. On most of United’s three-cabin aircraft, United Global First suites offer flat-bed seats, laptop power, USB ports, individual audio and video on demand with noise-reduction headsets, additional storage compartments and a multi-course meal with complimentary wines.
Starting in the second quarter 2012, United will upgrade the long-haul first-class experience with new amenities, including more comfortable bedding amenities, additional in-flight food choices, new amenity kits featuring Philosophy-brand skin-care products.
United said it also will extend Continental’s BusinessFirst product to United, offering an elevated business-class service with new amenities, including an additional entree option, for a total of four, designed by United’s Congress of Chefs; a new way to improve business-class meals to improve the quality and taste; an expanded wine selections chosen by Doug Frost, sommelier and master of wine; a new ice cream sundae dessert with a choice of six toppings; improved in-flight entertainment, including noise-reduction headsets; new amenity kits featuring Philosophy-brand skin-care products; duvet-style blankets and higher-quality pillows and hot towels.
For customers flying United in North America, between North America and Central America, between North America and northern South America, and on some flights within Asia and the Pacific islands, the airline will continue to offer United First and United Business premium-cabin services. On most flights, United has revamped its premium-cabin meal and snack choices to offer customers their favorites among options previously available only on United flights or Continental flights.
The rebranding and expanded menu options come as United continues with plans to invest more than $550 million to upgrade aircraft interiors. The airline has installed Economy Plus seating on dozens of Continental aircraft. When fully deployed, United will offer customers more extra-legroom economy-class seats than any other airline in the world. United continues to upgrade its widebody fleet with new premium cabins, with more than 130 aircraft outfitted with flat-bed seats. Once completed in early 2013, United will offer more premium-cabin flat-bed seats than any other airline.
Beginning later in 2012, customers will see additional improvements, including larger overhead bins on Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft — increasing the available carry-on storage space by approximately two-thirds — and satellite-enabled inflight Internet service. United also is introducing on-demand entertainment on its transcontinental p.s. service, along with an expanded premium-cabin service with flat-bed seats.