New First and Business Class Seats

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United Airlines Announces Investment in Premium Cabin International Travel Experience
Tuesday March 14, 9:07 am ET
Selects B/E Aerospace for Premium Class Seating Program Initially Valued at up to $165 Million Over Two to Three Year Period


CHICAGO, March 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- As part of its ongoing strategy to provide differentiated products and services to its customers, United Airlines today announced its initial investment in upgrading the international first and business class travel experience for United's customers.


United has selected B/E Aerospace, Inc., the world's leading manufacturer of aircraft cabin interior products (Nasdaq: BEAV - News), to design and manufacture premium seats for a program initially valued at up to $165 million.

"We are leveraging the strength of our unmatched global network and are investing in upgrading our international premium customer offering to meet the needs of our global travelers in a way that is distinctly United," said John Tague, executive vice president-Marketing, Sales and Revenue, United Airlines.

The carrier's international premium customer offering will be introduced in phases, with enhancements slated to begin in 2007. Reconfiguration of United's entire international wide-body fleet will span roughly two to three years.

"We are focused on delivering the service and experience our customers expect, and we will continue to identify opportunities to enhance every aspect of our customers' premium travel experience," said Dennis Cary, senior vice president-Marketing, United Airlines.

"This program supports United's strategic business emphasis on international and premium services," said Amin J. Khoury, chairman and chief executive officer, B/E Aerospace, Inc. "United flies one of the largest international fleets in the world, and we look forward to playing a key role in bringing new levels of comfort to their premium customers."

About United

United Airlines (Nasdaq: UAUA - News) operates more than 3,400 flights a day on United, United Express and Ted to more than 200 U.S. domestic and international destinations from its hubs in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, Chicago and Washington, D.C. With key global air rights in the Asia- Pacific region, Europe and Latin America, United is one of the largest international carriers based in the United States. United is also a founding member of Star Alliance, which provides connections for our customers to 790 destinations in 138 countries worldwide. United's 57,000 employees reside in every U.S. state and in many countries around the world. News releases and other information about United can be found at the company's Web site at united.com.

 

[The Gopher]

From Their Website, http://www.beaerospace.com

First Class:

B/E Aerospace's First Class Seating Products are the Premium choice for travel; with a multitude of luxury amenities passengers can relax or work with all the comforts of home or office. Airlines, now more than ever, have the unique opportunity to differentiate themselves with B/E premium lie-flat or side sleep seating. Comfort features such as infinitely adjustable reading lights, large work surface tables, privacy shrouds, electric lumbar supports and headrests, and pre-programmed seat positions enhance the passengers in-flight experience. Styling options and branding possibilities are limitless with our in-house Industrial Design Studio. With the most advanced design systems in the industry, B/E Premium Seats are a true work of art.

Business Class:

For the business executive, comfort and functionality are tantamount to a successful sales call, so B/E incorporated award winning features from our Premium products into an environment suited for the business traveler. Sturdy work surfaces, ample power and communications ports are nested into our Business Class Seating Products with a focus on passenger comfort. The Business traveler has an efficient office environment at his disposal, coupled with an ergonomically advanced seating system to enhance the flight and arrive relaxed and ready.

Here's more:

JAL's new Biz-class with B/E Aerospace: http://www.flatseats.com/Reviews/jal-c.htm

 

[JetClipper]

I wonder what, if any, items from United's P.S. service will make it into the new international products? If taken as-is, I think most of those items (e.g. First and Business seats, meal service, etc.) would be on par with or better than what most of United's competitors are offering on international services.