United to Introduce Three New Countries to Global Network

Thu Nov 5, 2009 4:01pm EST
 
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New service to Ghana, Nigeria and Kingdom of Bahrain to begin in spring 2010





CHICAGO, Nov. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- United Airlines announced today the
airline will inaugurate its first-ever service to Africa in 2010, with one
daily, same-plane service from Washington to Accra, Ghana, and Lagos, Nigeria.
The airline also will extend its existing daily Washington-Kuwait flight to
include Bahrain, and will offer a new non-stop flight between Chicago and
Brussels, Belgium. Introduction of all of the new services is subject to
government approval.

"Our first-ever non-stop service to Africa will offer customers convenient and
comfortable travel opportunities to visit two of the fastest-growing cities in
the continent," says Kevin Knight, senior vice president of planning. "In
addition, our new services to Bahrain and Brussels will open more
international routes to our customers throughout Europe and the Middle East."

The new routes are consistent with the 2010 capacity outlook United provided
on its third quarter earnings conference call, and reflect the continuing
optimization of United's international network.

Africa
Daily non-stop service from Washington Dulles to Accra, the capital of the
west African nation of Ghana, begins on May 2. The flight will continue from
Accra to Lagos, Nigeria. The return flight will operate from Lagos to Accra
and Washington. The flights, which will be available for sale this fall, will
be operated by Boeing 767 aircraft on the following schedule: 

     Schedule                        Depart        Arrive        Start Date
     --------                        ------        ------        ----------
    United 990 Washington to Accra   10:10 p.m.    12:40 p.m.*   May 2, 2010
    United 990 Accra to Lagos        2:20 p.m.     4:25 p.m.     May 3, 2010
    -------------------------        ---------     ---------     -----------
    United 991 Lagos to Accra        9:15 p.m.     9:20 p.m.     May 3, 2010
    United 991 Accra to Washington   11:00 p.m.    6.25 a.m.*    May 3, 2010
    * indicates next day arrival
    ----------------------------     ----------    ---------     -----------




"I am delighted that United Airlines, a global leader in the airline industry,
has demonstrated the economic wisdom to expand its routes to include
destinations in Africa," said U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush of Illinois. "African
economies are among the fastest growing in the world, registering nearly six
percent overall economic growth in 2007, the highest in 20 years. United's new
routes are an important element in advancing the mutual trade interests of the
United States and Africa and I am encouraged by the prospects for enhanced
economic prosperity for the three nations."

Middle East
On April 18, United will launch the only same-plane service operated from the
Western Hemisphere to the Kingdom of Bahrain. United's existing non-stop
service from Washington Dulles to Kuwait will continue to Bahrain, with the
return flight also stopping in Kuwait before continuing to Washington.

Flights will be operated by Boeing 777 aircraft on the following schedule:

    Schedule                        Depart     Arrive     Start Date
    --------                        ------     ------     ----------
    United 982 Washington to Kuwait 6:12 p.m.  1:35 p.m.* Existing Service
    United 982 Kuwait to Bahrain    2:50 p.m.  3:55 p.m.  April 18, 2010
    United 981 Bahrain to Kuwait    9:25 p.m.  10:30 p.m. April 18, 2010
    United 981 Kuwait to Washington 11:45 p.m. 6:47 a.m.* Existing Service
    * indicates next day arrival
    ------------------------------- ---------- ---------  ----------------




The Accra/Lagos and Kuwait/Bahrain flights are conveniently timed for
connections at Washington Dulles, United's principal transatlantic gateway, to
and from dozens of cities throughout the Americas. United offers more than 275
daily departures from Washington Dulles to more than 90 cities.

"We are delighted with United's announcement," said Leo Schefer, president of
the Washington Airports Task Force. "Service to a new international market
expands a region's trading horizon and increases its competitiveness as a
business location and tourist destination."

Brussels
Additionally, United will inaugurate non-stop service between Chicago and
Brussels on March 28, offering convenient connections on Brussels Airlines -
which joins the Star Alliance on Dec. 9 - to points in Europe and Africa. The
Chicago-Brussels services also are timed to offer convenient connections at
Chicago O'Hare to and from dozens of cities in the United States, Canada and
Mexico. As the largest airline in Chicago, United offers more than 570 daily
departures to more than 130 cities worldwide. Chicago-Brussels flights will be
operated by Boeing 767 aircraft on the following schedule:

    Schedule                        Depart        Arrive        Start Date
    --------                        ------        ------        ----------
    United 972 Chicago to Brussels  6 p.m.        9:20 a.m.     March 28, 2010
    United 973 Brussels to Chicago  11 a.m.       1:15 p.m.     March 29, 2010
    ------------------------------  -------       ---------     --------------




United will continue to offer non-stop service between Washington and
Brussels.

Customers seated in United First and United Business cabins aboard all
transoceanic B767 flights enjoy United's International Premier Travel
Experience, which includes lie-flat seats, iPod connectivity, more than 150
hours of movies and television shows on-demand, and a selection of appetizers
and entrees designed by world-renowned chef Charlie Trotter. United's B777
aircraft will be outfitted with new United First and United Business cabins in
2010 and 2011.

About United
United Airlines (Nasdaq: UAUA) operates approximately 3,300* flights a day on
United and United Express 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 1,071 destinations in 171 countries
worldwide. United's 47,000 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 United's forward-looking flight schedule for October 2009 to October
2010.


SOURCE  United Airlines

Worldwide Press Office of United Airlines, +1-312-997-8640

 

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