United Airlines Launches 100th Aircraft with Satellite Wi-Fi

Airline offers more long-haul overseas flights with satellite Wi-Fi than any other U.S. carrier

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Oct 14, 2013, 11:48 ET

CHICAGO, Oct. 14, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- United Airlines has launched its 100^th aircraft equipped with satellite Wi-Fi Internet connectivity, offering more customers the ability to stay connected inflight. United offers satellite Wi-Fi on more long-haul overseas flights than any other U.S.-based carrier, enabling customers throughout the aircraft to connect to the Internet via their personal devices and remain productive.

United is outfitting approximately 30 aircraft each month with satellite Wi-Fi technology and expects to have nearly 200 aircraft equipped with the service by the end of 2013. The airline currently offers satellite Wi-Fi on 13 Boeing 747 aircraft, which fly international routes to and from San Francisco – the country's premier trans-Pacific hub – as well as routes to and from Los Angeles.

United also offers satellite Wi-Fi on more than half of its combined fleet of Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft, which operate in North America markets, and air-to-ground Internet connectivity on its entire fleet of Boeing 757 transcontinental p.s. Premium Service aircraft, which operate between New York Kennedy and Los Angeles and San Francisco.

"United is improving the inflight experience and offering more customers the ability to stay connected, whether traveling throughout the country or abroad," said Jeff Foland, executive vice president of marketing, technology and strategy. "The expansion of satellite Wi-Fi capability underscores our commitment to provide our customers with the user-friendly experience they expect from the world's leading airline."

In-Flight Entertainment Options
United currently offers live television on 200 aircraft and plans to equip those aircraft with satellite Wi-Fi. The airline expects to introduce the first Boeing 737 aircraft equipped with Ka-band satellite technology into service later this fall.

Additionally this fall, United will begin rolling-out Wi-Fi-enabled wireless entertainment, which the airline expects to eventually have on more than 200 aircraft, including Airbus A319s and A320s, Boeing 747s and other fleets by mid-2014. This new option will offer customers on-demand programming from a library of movies and television shows, and equipped aircraft will offer more than 150 movies and nearly 200 television shows through its wireless network. Customers may access these entertainment options with a host of portable electronic devices, including many laptops, smartphones and tablets.

About United
United Airlines and United Express operate an average of 5,341 flights a day to more than 360 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 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