United Airlines today launched the first scheduled flight of a U.S. airline
to Vietnam in almost 30 years, the culmination of years of hard work and
close cooperation between the governments of both countries. A celebration will be held in San Francisco, bringing together government
officials, dignitaries and news media from the United States and Vietnam.
United will hold additional events upon the flight’s arrival in Hong Kong
and continuation to Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon.

“Today’s launch of direct service to Vietnam marks an historic step in the
relationship between the United States and Vietnam,” said Glenn Tilton,
United’s chairman, president and chief executive officer. “The flight
illustrates United’s unsurpassed leadership in the Asia-Pacific market and
comes at a time when Vietnam is experiencing robust economic growth and
increased travel demand.”

No other airline provides the connectivity United does, with more flights
between the Asia-Pacific region and the 50 United States than any other
carrier. United’s extensive route network, including Ted and United
Express, connects our Asia-Pacific locations with more than 200 U.S.
domestic and international destinations. Thanks to United’s growing
code-share relationship with other Star Alliance carriers, United
customers have access to virtually all points in the region.

“Decades of economic renovation have transformed Vietnam into a lively
market of 80 million hard-working and talented people,” said Ambassador
Chien Tam Nguyen, the Vietnamese ambassador to the United States. “Being
one of the safest tourist destinations and fastest-growing economies in
the world, Vietnam is an ideal place to visit and do business. On behalf
of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, I welcome direct air service and the
closer economic and cultural ties between our two countries that will
surely result, thus furthering the understanding, friendship and mutually
beneficial cooperation between them.”

“Today’s direct service marks a new beginning for a relationship that
holds tremendous potential,” said the U.S. ambassador to Vietnam Michael
Marine. “Vietnam is a dynamic emerging market for the United States, and
United’s service will enable us to enhance trade and tourism to the
benefit of both nations.”

“Today’s historic flight resulting from the aviation agreement we
concluded a year ago represents the beginning of a renewed relationship
that will bring families closer together and open new doors for businesses
both in the United States and Vietnam,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary
Norman Y. Mineta.

Customers traveling on United between the United States and the
Asia-Pacific region can relax and enjoy top-notch service. In 2004, United
was voted “Best North American Airline” for the fourth year in a row by
travelers participating in the Business Traveller Asia-Pacific magazine’s
Annual Awards survey. United now serves 12 Asia-Pacific destinations, with
more on the way. Nonstop service from San Francisco to Nagoya, Japan, is
scheduled to begin in March 2005, and United is seeking the right to
provide daily service between Guangzhou, China, and San Francisco in
spring 2005.
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