United Enhances, Expands “Premium Transcontinental” Service
Joe Cortez June 01, 2017
New service includes lay-flat seats and seasonal menus aboard key flights.
In the competition to attract flyers, United Airlines is rolling out a refreshed transcontinental service complete with lay-flat seats and seasonal menus. In a press release, the Chicago-based carrier announced the addition of new seats and amenities aboard direct flights crossing the United States.
The flights will be featured on United’s flights from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to their west coast centers at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO). Additional flights featuring the new configurations will also be offered on flights between Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) to SFO.
In business class, flyers will soon be greeted by 180 degree flat-bed seats in the cabin, with bedding provided by Saks Fifth Avenue. Each seat will also be equipped with amenity kits with premium items from Soho House and Company’s Cowshed Spa. Hot towel service will be offered immediately after take-off and prior to landing.
During the flight, premium flyers will be treated to rotating menus created by world-class chefs from restaurants across the country. Partners include Della Gossett of Spago Beverly Hills, Mitchell Nordby of San Francisco’s Parallel 37 at the Ritz Carlton Hotel and Michael Armstrong of New York’s Dream Downtown and Bodega Negra, creating food items including a pumpernickel and goat cheese crostini, pan-roasted chicken with kale pesto and orzo and grilled artichokes. Desert items from the United Polaris experience will be available after dinner service. Food items will be paired with craft cocktails, including the Moscow Mule by Crafthouse Cocktails.
Improvements will be coming to the Economy Plus experience as well. Mirroring offerings from Delta Air Lines, premium transcontinental flights will offer complimentary snacks and alcoholic beverages to Economy Plus flyers. Passengers will also receive fruit, a meal and dessert during their flight.
The new amenities will be featured on all premium transcontinental flights beginning on July 1, 2017. The new United offering compliments the launch of Polaris earlier this year and compete directly with offerings from both American Airlines and Delta.
[Photo: Shutterstock]
"Premium service" ......are cabin crew now using silk boxing gloves ;)?
With the exception of the Boston routes, flyers are already being greeted by lay-flat seats on transcon routes branded as "p.s." routes on United.