United Airlines Strengthens Commitment to New York/New Jersey with Creation of Regional President Role

New position demonstrates airline's continued investment in key hub

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Oct 30, 2017, 12:30 ET

CHICAGO, Oct. 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- United Airlines (UAL) today announced the hiring of Jill Kaplan to serve as President, New York/New Jersey. She joins the airline in mid-November, reporting to Scott Kirby, president of United.

This newly established role, the top market leadership position for United in the region, will lead the promotion of United's brand within the New York metropolitan area, home to the carrier's New York/New Jersey hub at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). Kaplan will work closely with all integral departments including government affairs, marketing, sales and more, as well as with the local airport authority, to ensure United continues on its path to becoming the best airline for its customers, employees and everyone it serves.

"As we gain momentum in building a more customer-centric airline, placing a key executive in New York will only increase our ability to deliver on this commitment," said Scott Kirby, president of United. "Jill will have a singular focus on making United the number one airline in New York and New Jersey, one of the most competitive regions in the world, and I am confident that her leadership will propel United to new heights."

Kaplan joins United from Crain's New York Business where she most recently served as Vice President and Publisher. In this role, she set strategy, defined the vision and branding mission, oversaw product development and managed all aspects of the business, including sales, marketing, online, events, audience development, custom solutions and editorial. During her time as Publisher, she built a thriving events business, launched a custom content division and hosted the Crain's New York Stories television series. Kaplan serves on the boards of the Partnership for New York City, Manhattan Chamber of Commerce, Lincoln Center Corporate Fund, the Business Council of New York State and the American Skin Association. She is also the founding Chair of the Lincoln Center Women's Leadership Council.

"Having called New York home for the past 25 years, I can't think of a more exciting position to hold at United as the airline continues to achieve new milestones with its operations, destinations and customer experiences in the metropolitan area," said Jill Kaplan. "I look forward to strengthening our commitment to the local communities we serve to help support continued economic vitality, employing tens of thousands in the region."

United in New York/Newark

United operates the largest hub in the New York City metropolitan area at Newark Liberty International Airport, serving more destinations from the area than any other carrier. Located just 14 miles from downtown Manhattan, the airport offers the fastest surface transfer journeys to many parts of the city, including the AirTrain service to New York Penn Station in midtown Manhattan, with a journey time of less than 30 minutes.

The airline operates approximately 400 daily flights out of its Newark hub to 94 airports across the U.S. and 68 international destinations.

United's Terminal C at EWR, described as a "culinary oasis" by The New York Times, continues its $120 million upgrade with a range of new dining creations. Key concepts include DAILY, the only airport restaurant in the world where the entire menu changes daily, emphasizing local ingredients at peak freshness, Thyme, an all-vegetarian restaurant featuring an inventive veggie-forward offering and Little Purse, a modern take on the traditional dumpling house.

About United

United Airlines and United Express operate approximately 4,500 flights a day to 337 airports across five continents. In 2016, United and United Express operated more than 1.6 million flights carrying more than 143 million customers. United is proud to have the world's most comprehensive route network, including U.S. mainland hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Newark/New York, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. United operates 751 mainline aircraft and the airline's United Express carriers operate 489 regional aircraft. The airline is a founding member of Star Alliance, which provides service to more than 190 countries via 28 member airlines. 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".

SOURCE United Airlines