United and Continental Progress Towards Operating as Single Carrier

May 19, 2011
Single operating certificate from FAA for combined operations planned for fourth quarter of 2011.

UAL is reportedly on target to achieve a single operating certificate for combined operations from the US Federal Aviation Administration in the fourth quarter of 2011, to be followed by migration to a single reservation system in the first quarter of 2012.

United and Continental have introduced new tools and functionality at their websites, http://www.united.com and http://www.continental.com, which enable customers to shop for flights, obtain seat assignments and check flight status on either website whether traveling on United or Continental.

Customers can now check in and print boarding passes for flights on either airline using operated self-service check-in kiosks at United's and Continental's largest airports, including Chicago, New York/Newark, Houston and San Francisco.

A new package of priority airport services, called Premier Access, which includes designated check-in counters, priority security screening, "front of the line" boarding through special Premier Access lanes and priority baggage handling, for elite-level frequent flyers and premium-cabin customers. The package will be rolled out through the system in the coming months.

Other enhancements include a link between Mileage Plus and OnePass; aligned check-in and boarding processes across the two carriers; free Wi-Fi at bother carrier's airports and the same beverage choices; a new "Choice Menu" onboard - On flights offering meals and snacks for sale, United and Continental introduced a new "Choice Menu" inflight meal and snack service; aligned policies and procedures; and new airport signage and re-branding.

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