United Airlines Opens New Seattle United Club, Consolidates Operations

Lounge opening coincides with relocation of gates and ticketing

News provided by

May 23, 2013, 02:30 ET

SEATTLE, May 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- United Airlines has opened its new United Club lounge in Concourse A at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, the second club to feature the airline's new design concept. The opening coincides with the consolidation of United's terminal facilities to Concourse A, offering customers improved accessibility to gates and a wider variety of concessions.

The 6,096-square-foot United Club in Seattle features a new interior, offering views of the Cascade Mountains, a refreshed bar and lounge overlooking the United terminal and additional workstations and power outlets. The new and improved furnishings enable customers to relax or work with greater ease and comfort.

"The new United Club in Seattle offers customers a warm, relaxing and improved airport lounge experience," said Martin Hand, senior vice president of customer experience at United. "We are investing in our products and facilities, in the air and on the ground, and offering customers more ways to relax, be productive and enjoy their overall travel experience."

United unveiled the new design prototype with the opening of the United Club in Terminal 2 at Chicago O'Hare International Airport last year. United is investing more than $50 million this year to renovate several of the airline's 49 United Club locations. The airline expects to open a new United Club in Terminal 2 at San Diego International Airport later this summer.

Additionally, select United Clubs in several of the airline's hub cities, including Chicago, Los Angeles, Houston and New York/Newark, will offer members a complimentary guided tasting of Glenfiddich, the world's most awarded single malt Scotch whisky. A custom-made bar will offer customers a dedicated area to enjoy a pre-departure dram while learning about whisky. The tasting events will occur throughout 2013.

As with all United Club lounges, members have access to complimentary snacks, beverages and Wi-Fi.

Consolidated Operations and Other Improvements
United is consolidating its operations at Seattle-Tacoma, relocating gates to Concourse A and repositioning its ticket counters to the south end of the main terminal. Customers checking in on United flights no longer need to take the airport train to the gates; they may simply check in, move through security and walk to the nearby concourse. The airline expects to complete the relocation by the end of May.

United is one of the largest airlines at Seattle-Tacoma, offering nearly 40 flights a day, including trans-Pacific service to Tokyo Narita.

This month United will also open its new Terminal B south concourse at Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport, a 225,000-square-foot facility that features modern and expanded gate-lounge areas, additional electric power outlets and more space for carry-on luggage. The airline is similarly retrofitting its gate areas in Terminal 2 at Chicago O'Hare International Airport and expects to launch an innovative new customer service center at its Chicago hub to serve customers more quickly and effectively.

Additionally, United has begun installing new gate layouts and boarding lanes at its U.S. hubs, offering customers an improved and consistent gate experience. The new gate layouts, which the airline expects to roll out to most domestic and international airports by year end, will improve boarding times and reduce crowding by enabling customers to line up in their respective lanes prior to boarding.

About United
United Airlines and United Express operate an average of 5,446 flights a day to more than 370 airports across six continents. In 2012, United and United Express carried more passenger traffic than any other airline in the world and operated nearly two million flights carrying 140 million customers. United is investing in upgrading its onboard products and now offers more flat-bed seats in its premium cabins and more extra-legroom economy-class seating than any airline in North America. In 2013, United became the first U.S.-based international carrier to offer satellite-based Wi-Fi on long-haul overseas routes. The airline also features DIRECTV® on 200 aircraft, offering customers more live television access than any other airline in the world. United operates nearly 700 mainline aircraft and has made large-scale investments in its fleet. In 2013, United will continue to modernize its fleet by taking delivery of more than two dozen new Boeing aircraft. The company expanded its industry-leading global route network in 2012, launching nine new international and 18 new domestic routes. Business Traveler magazine awarded United Best Airline for North American Travel for 2012, and readers of Global Traveler magazine have voted United's MileagePlus program the best frequent flyer program for nine consecutive years. According to the 4^th annual Switchfly Reward Seat Availability Survey published by IdeaWorksCompany in May 2013, United has the most saver-style award-seat availability among the largest U.S. global airlines. United is a founding member of Star Alliance, which provides service to 194 countries via 27 member airlines. More than 85,000 United employees reside in every U.S. state and in countries around the world. For more information, visit united.com or follow United on Twitter and Facebook. The common stock of United's parent, United Continental Holdings, Inc., is traded on the NYSE under the symbol UAL.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130404/MM89155LOGO)

SOURCE United Airlines