United Continental launches $550 Million fleet-wide onboard improvement plan
United Continental Holdings has announced it will invest more than a half-billion dollars in its onboard product.
Product improvements include adding flat-bed seating on 62 additional long-haul aircraft, bringing total aircraft with flat-bed seats to 185.
United Continental will also add Economy Plus seating and Channel 9 air traffic control audio to more than 300 aircraft, while the carrier will also double the overhead storage space on more than 150 aircraft.
These and other planned product changes come in addition to the 25 new aircraft - including the Boeing 787 Dreamliner - the airline will introduce to its fleet next year.
United and Continental have each made significant product and service improvements over the past several years and since the airlines closed their merger October 1st, 2010.
“When we announced our merger, we committed to building an airline that our co-workers would want to work for, our customers would want to fly, and our investors would want to invest in,” said Jeff Smisek, president and chief executive officer of United Continental Holdings.
“These product enhancements announced today, coupled with our unbeatable route network and loyalty program, will provide an unsurpassed travel experience for our customers.
“We are planning many other product enhancements, both on the ground and in the air, which we will announce in the future.”
Under the plans the carrier will install advanced broadband Wi-Fi on more than 200 aircraft, while simultaneously introducing streaming wireless video onboard its 747-400 aircraft.