United Airlines Launches Service With New Embraer 175 Aircraft

Aircraft offers customers an improved regional flying experience

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May 19, 2014, 10:32 ET

CHICAGO, May 19, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- United Airlines has introduced the Embraer 175 aircraft to the United Express fleet, with service on the modern and spacious regional jet operating between Chicago and top business markets Washington and Boston.

United Express carrier SkyWest Airlines began Boston service today. Service between Chicago and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport began Saturday. The E175 flights complement existing United service in those markets.

The 76-seat E175 regional jet is the newest addition to the United Express fleet, enabling the airline to offer an improved regional jet experience. With 12 seats in United First, 16 seats in United Economy Plus and 48 seats in United Economy, the E175 offers more personal space for customers, with wider seats and aisles than other regional aircraft. Each United First seat features a power outlet. The aircraft's large overhead bins can accommodate standard-sized carry-on bags, resulting in more convenience for customers.

"We are thrilled to welcome the E175 to United Express and celebrate the launch of service from our hometown of Chicago," said Sandra Pineau-Boddison, United's senior vice president of United Express. "This fantastic new aircraft will enable us to better serve our customers, particularly in high-frequency business markets."

Click here for photos of the E175 aircraft in the United livery

United will offer E175 in several additional markets beginning in June, complementing existing United services:

Chicago-Minneapolis /St. Paul, beginning June 5
Chicago-Atlanta, beginning June 15
Houston-Atlanta, beginning June 15
Houston-New Orleans, beginning June 15
Chicago-New York LaGuardia, beginning June 23
San Francisco-St. Louis, beginning Sept. 20
San Francisco-Austin, beginning Oct. 26
San Francisco-Dallas/Fort Worth, beginning Oct. 26
San Francisco-Minneapolis/ St. Paul, beginning Oct. 26

SkyWest Airlines will operate the services to and from Chicago O'Hare International Airport and to and from San Francisco International Airport. Mesa Airlines will operate the flights to and from Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport.

United expects to introduce 70 E175 aircraft into the United Express fleet by the end of 2015. As United inducts new aircraft into the fleet, the airline will remove smaller, less efficient regional aircraft from the fleet. The E175s consume less fuel per seat and have fewer CO₂ emissions per seat than the aircraft they replace.

About United
United Airlines and United Express operate an average of more than 5,200 flights a day to 369 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 operates nearly 700 mainline aircraft and, in 2014, will take delivery of 35 new Boeing aircraft, including the B787-9 as the North American launch customer, and will welcome 27 new E175 aircraft to United Express. The airline is a founding member of Star Alliance, which provides service to 195 countries via 26 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, follow @United on Twitter or connect on 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