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| Founded | 2004 | |||
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| Frequent-flyer program | MileagePlus | |||
| Airport lounge | United Club | |||
| Alliance | Star Alliance | |||
| Fleet size | 13 | |||
| Destinations | ||||
| Parent company | United Continental Holdings | |||
| Headquarters | Chicago, Illinois | |||
| Key people | Jeffery A. Smisek (CEO) Glenn Tilton (Chairman) |
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| Website | http://www.unitedps.com/ | |||
United p.s. is a premium service offered by United Airlines on flights between John F. Kennedy International Airport and San Francisco International Airport or Los Angeles International Airport. The fleet consists of specially configured Boeing 757-200 aircraft with three classes of service: United First, United Business, and United Economy Plus. Each class of service includes certain amenities not offered on regular flights.
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After the September 11, 2001 Attacks, the airline industry generally suffered severe losses in passenger traffic. Coupled with often high legacy labor and fixed operating costs, such as the operation of relatively inefficient aircraft models (such as the Boeing 727, and Boeing 767-200) and unprofitable routes, the UAL Corporation (parent company of United) filed for bankruptcy in December 2002. Once the airline began to bounce back, United launched TED, a low cost airline, in 2003 and United p.s., a luxury service between JFK and SFO and LAX, in October 2004. The transcontinental service offers extra amenities not found on other domestic flights, as well as high frequency of departures as a flagship/signature service.
United's premium product competes with the American Flagship Service introduced by American Airlines for the U.S. domestic market in 1992.[1]
On March 22, 2010, the Chicago Tribune reported that United Airlines would be retaining its p.s. service after the merger with Continental Airlines. A number of interior improvements such as upgrading the lie-flat beds and the cabin service are planned for the p.s. 757 fleet.[2]
On August, 22, 2011, United Airlines announced the p.s. fleet would be gutted and "reborn" with: Flat-Bed Seats, New Economy Plus Seats, AVOD and Wi-Fi, however these changes include the elimination of United First, making p.s. a two-class service.
All flights operated between Kennedy and Los Angeles or San Francisco are flown using specially configured Boeing 757-200 aircraft. United's description about its premium service is as follows:
"With routes to only a trio of cities, one might say that p.s. is a service with a selective air about it. It's quite true. There is something about New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco that calls for a sophisticated touch. That means refining our service to better provide a better experience for bicoastal business travelers, whom we hold in the highest regards.[3]
| Aircraft | In fleet | Passengers | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F | J | P |
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| Boeing 757-200 | 13 | 12 | 26 | 72 | 110 |
United First consists of 12 leather trimmed, angled lie-flat seats in a 2x2 configuration from rows 1 through 3. United offers free individual hand held media players with various entertainment choices including a set of noise reduction headphones. In addition, all seats are equipped with 110 V AC power ports (no adapter needed) and satellite phones. With the purchase of a p.s. UnitedFirst ticket, there is an included admission to UnitedFirst International Lounges and Red Carpet Clubs.[3]. Beginning in 2012, United will remove "First Class" service from p.s..
United Business consists of 26 seats in a 2x2 configuration from rows 6 through 11. This class of service includes individual, hand held media players featuring various entertainment choices along with noise canceling headphones. All seats in this class include 110 V AC power ports as well as satellite phone service. Starting in 2012, United plans to merge United First and United Business, creating a two-class cabin. United plans on installing new lie-flat seats for the newly merged and expanded Business class.
United Economy Plus takes up rows 15 through 26 with 72 regular economy seats that feature up to 3 inches more legroom than standard economy seats. The seats are in a 3x3 configuration. For each three-seat segment, there are two 110 V AC power ports and one satellite phone unit.[3]
United Economy will be offered on United p.s. flights starting in 2012, Upon completion of the transition of the p.s. fleet to a two-class service.
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