Improving the passenger experience is firmly on United Airlines' radar as the US major announced it is injecting $550 million into upgrading its fleet, including introducing new wireless in-flight entertainment (IFE) on its Boeing 747s and extending its popular Channel 9 audio channel to Continental mainline aircraft.
The Star Alliance member said next month it will begin installing flat-bed seats and embedded audio/video on demand (AVOD) IFE systems with iPod connectivity in the premium cabins of 26 Boeing 767s - 12 Continental 767-400s and 14 United 767-300s - which primarily serve transatlantic, Latin and Hawaiian markets. United and Continental are long-time customers of IFE provider Panasonic Avionics.
The 12 Continental 747-400s will also be upgraded with extra-legroom 'economy plus' seating and United's Channel 9 audio. Ongoing upgrades to first, business and economy class on the airline's three-cabin Boeing 777 aircraft will continue, said United. Some 124 United aircraft are already equipped with flat-bed seats, but that number will grow to 185 once the 767 and 777 fleets are completed, it added.
The carrier will also begin installing economy plus seating on all Continental mainline aircraft this fall, offering the extra-legroom seating on 38 Continental aircraft by year's end and nearly 100 more by the end of the first quarter of 2012.
For customers flying in shorter-haul markets, United noted that it is adding first and economy plus seating beginning this fall to 29 Bombardier Q400 regional aircraft operated under the United Express banner. The Q400s fly principally out of United's hubs in Houston, Chicago, New York/Newark and Washington.
Beginning in March 2012, the airline will nearly double the size of the overhead bins on all 152 of its Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft. The larger bins will increase storage space for standard 22in rolling bags by 66%, said United. United will also refresh the interiors of its Airbus fleet.
Meanwhile, United said it is selecting a vendor for a streaming video in-flight entertainment option on its Boeing 747-400 aircraft, "enabling customers to access video options via their Wi-Fi-enabled handheld devices, tablets and laptop computers". United's 747 aircraft currently feature AVOD options in first and business.
The carrier has not divulged its vendor for the wireless IFE. United's partner, Chicago-headquartered Gogo's streaming video service is among a number of solutions being offered to the market at this time.
Meanwhile, as previously reported, United said it is continuing with plans to install ViaSat/LiveTV's Ka-band satellite-supported in-flight Internet system on over 200 Continental Boeing 737 and 757 aircraft. Installations are expected to begin next year.
The carrier is doing a complete "nose-to-tail" renovation of its p.s. Boeing 757 fleet, which serves the New York JFK to San Francisco and Los Angeles markets. The aircraft already offer Gogo's in-flight Internet service. When renovations are completed in 2013, the p.s. aircraft will offer flat-bed seats, economy plus, power ports at every row, and AVOD.
"These product enhancements announced today, coupled with our unbeatable route network and loyalty program, will provide an unsurpassed travel experience for our customers. We are planning many other product enhancements, both on the ground and in the air, which we will announce in the future," said United-Continental president and CEO Jeff Smisek.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
