Travelport Launches the Capability to Sell United Economy Plus Seating in the U.S.

First GDS to Reconnect Ability to Sell

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Feb 07, 2014, 10:30 ET

CHICAGO and ATLANTA, Feb. 7, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Travelport and United Airlines today announce that Travelport-connected agents in the U.S. can now sell United Economy Plus extra-legroom seating. With this announcement, Travelport becomes the first global distribution system (GDS) to re-launch the capability for travel agents to sell the additional space and comfort of Economy Plus while maintaining the processing efficiency of GDS bookings. In addition, Travelport-connected agents in the U.S. now have the ability to access Economy Plus seat availability and prices within the agent workflow, as well as book complimentary Economy Plus seats for qualified MileagePlus customers and their companions.

"We're delighted to provide Travelport-connected travel agents in the U.S. with the ability to offer and fulfill their customers' wishes to purchase United Economy Plus seating and to become the first GDS to do so," said Chris Engle, vice president, Air Services, Travelport. "This is a prime example of Travelport executing one piece of its merchandising strategy: to partner with airlines to enable them to distribute their fares and ancillary content exactly how they choose to, to do so through the travel agency channel, and to do it in a way that supports the integrity and efficiency of the GDS booking and management process for travel agents."

"We're extremely pleased to join with Travelport to sell United Economy Plus seating to our mutual customers through this channel," said John Slater, United's vice president of sales for the Americas. "This next-generation travel technology enables our travel management company partners to utilize the same dynamic pricing and to provide the same Economy Plus shopping experience as we do on united.com."

United offers more extra-legroom, economy-class seating than any other airline in North America.

The airline is working closely with Travelport to improve its ability to sell ancillary products like Economy Plus.

About Travelport

Travelport is a leading distribution services and e-commerce provider for the global travel industry.

With a presence in over 170 countries, approximately 3,500 employees and 2012 net revenue of more than $2.0 billion, Travelport is comprised of the global distribution system ("GDS") business, which includes the Galileo and Worldspan brands, its Airline IT Solutions business and a joint venture ownership of eNett.

Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, Travelport is a privately owned company.

Follow Travelport on Twitter at http://twitter.com/Travelport

About United

United Airlines and United Express operate an average of more than 5,300 flights a day to more than 360 airports across six continents. In 2013, United and United Express carried more passenger traffic than any other airline in the world and operated nearly two million flights carrying 139 million customers. United is delivering a more flyer-friendly experience, offering more premium-cabin flat-bed seats and extra-legroom, economy-class seating than any airline in North America. In 2013, United became the first U.S. global carrier to offer satellite-based Wi-Fi, including on long-haul overseas routes. The airline also features DIRECTV® on more than 200 aircraft, with more live television access than any airline in the world. United operates nearly 700 mainline aircraft and, in 2014, will take delivery of 36 new Boeing aircraft and welcome the E175 aircraft to United Express. Business Traveler magazine awarded United Best Airline for North American Travel for 2013, and readers of Global Traveler magazine have voted United's MileagePlus program the Best Frequent-Flyer program for 10 consecutive years. Air Transport World named United the Eco-Aviation Airline of the Year Gold Winner in 2013. United is a founding member of Star Alliance, which provides service to 195 countries via 28 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.

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SOURCE United Airlines