United Purchases 150 New Aircraft from Boeing

United Continental Holdings, Inc. seem to be setting the precedent for an environmentally friendly and technologically savvy revamp of their entire United Airlines fleet.

We posted earlier in this blog about the highly anticipated 787 Boeing Dreamliner, which will provide a new standard in the travel experience while reducing fuel costs by nearly 20%. Boeing plans to add 50 new Dreamliners to their fleet, being the first American carrier to fly the aircraft. The first Dreamliner will arrive in September of this year.

In addition to the 50 Dreamliners, United Airlines ordered 150 smaller, one-aisle 737s from Boeing, continuing the overhaul of the company’s flying equipment and boasting greater travel efficiency with lower fuel costs per seat.  Compared to the current 737s in use, United claims that the new models will reduce emissions by 13%. Coupled with modern travel technologies and flight efficiency, United Airlines’ reduction of the carbon footprint makes them one of the world’s most enticing air travel options.

Unfortunately, the planes take quite a while to build.

In 2013, deliveries will begin for the 737-900ER. These models will replace old and outdated domestic United aircraft and plan to burn 15% less fuel per seat. 50 of these planes are expected to be delivered between 2013 and 2022.

We’ll have to wait until 2018 for the next model 737, the MAX 9.

The future is bright for United frequent fliers, as we have a large amount of fancy new aircraft to look forward to. CEO of POTHOS, Michael Patton, is a United 1k Million Mile Frequent Flier and encourages travelers to book with United and experience their efficient service and, soon, their cutting edge aircraft.

On a recent trip to Seattle, we had the pleasure of grabbing a sneak peak of the 787 Dreamliner at the Boeing Factory. We can’t wait to see the new 737s! 

United to Fly Boeing’s New 787 Dreamliner on Denver-Tokyo Route

For the first time in the US, Tickets have gone on sale for what United Airlines CEO Jeff Smisek calls “the coolest airplane in the sky”.

For only around $1,300, you can secure your seat on this 9-hour, intercontinental sky shuttle. Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock believes that the small and fuel efficient airliner, providing just over 200 seats, will offer new job opportunities and will “generate more than $130 million in annual economic benefit to Colorado”.

Prior to the introduction of this new route, the JAL and ANA fleets are the only Dreamliners currently in service flying out of Japan.

Mayor Hancock also believes that the Dreamliner will help “elevate Denver as a world-class city on the global stage”.  

United to Install Internet Satellites on Interntational Flights

United Airlines is set to install satellite-powered internet on long-haul international aircraft. The satellite internet is different from typical aircraft internet because it does not rely on the ground-based towers that typically provide in-flight internet access. The satellite installation is also pricier, heavier, and a longer undertaking than the standard aircraft internet installation, but United is hoping the overseas service will be alluring to international passengers.

Southwest has already made the move to satellite, but does not get a high percentage of passenger usage. United is hoping to utilize the technology to appeal to travelers facing lengthy trips.

The pricing is not yet set, but Lufthansa, one of United's partner airlines, offers internet at a rate of about $15 for one hour and $27 for 24 hours of internet access. It will be interesting to see if the move by United prompts other airlines to adopt this technology (and perhaps make it more affordable).

United Airline Flies First Commercial Biofueled Flight

The information below is being quoted from an article that originally appeared in Travel Daily News

"United Continental Holdings announced that its subsidiary Continental Airlines is operating the first U.S. commercial flight powered by advanced biofuels. Flight 1403, a Boeing 737-800, departs Houston's Bush Intercontinental Airport at 10:30 a.m. for Chicago O'Hare International Airport, making United the first U.S. airline to fly passengers using a blend of sustainable, advanced biofuel and traditional petroleum-derived jet fuel."

"Also today, United is announcing it has signed a letter of intent with Solazyme to negotiate the purchase of 20 million gallons of jet fuel per year, derived exclusively from algae oil, for delivery as early as 2014. Solazyme, headquartered in south San Francisco, manufactured the algae oil used on today's flight through its proprietary fermentation process. The end product was then refined outside Houston using renewable jet fuel processing technology from Honeywell's UOP."

"Operating the first U.S. revenue advanced biofuel flight represents a major milestone in Eco-Skies, United's commitment to leading commercial aviation as an environmentally responsible company by taking actions today that shape an environmentally sustainable future. Eco-Skies builds upon United and Continental's solid track record for improving aircraft fuel efficiency and introducing sustainability programs."

"Continental in 2009 made history as the first North American carrier to perform a two-engine aircraft flight demonstration using sustainable biofuels derived from algae and jatropha. The Boeing 737-800 aircraft used in that demonstration, tail number 516, is the same aircraft operating today's flight. In 2010 United conducted the first flight by a U.S. commercial airline using synthetic fuel made from natural gas."

Accomplishments of United Continental Holdings include:
"- The company improved fuel efficiency by more than 32 percent since 1994 by investing in a modern, fuel-efficient fleet and by streamlining its operating procedures. New fuel-efficient aircraft on order, 132 in total for delivery through 2019, include 50 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and 25 Airbus 350s, which are 20 percent more fuel efficient than the older aircraft they will replace. United continues to modify existing aircraft with winglets, improving fuel efficiency by up to five percent.
- United and Continental operate more than 3,600 alternatively fueled or zero-emission ground service equipment vehicles.
- Whenever possible, pilots use innovative flight processes such as continuous descent or tailored arrivals, use only one engine while taxiing and ground power instead of aircraft engines when at the gate, and the airline often uses ground equipment instead of aircraft engines to move aircraft from gate to gate.
- During the last five years the company recycled more than 20 million pounds of aluminum cans, plastic and paper items from waste generated in-flight and in our facilities.
- Advancements in technology, such as paperless flight decks with iPads for pilots and paperless boarding with mobile devices for customers, further reduce environmental impact."

Find the original article here with more information: http://www.traveldailynews.com/pages/show_page/46197?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=show_page/46197&utm_campaign=TravelDailyMainTitle

Delta's Economy Comfort Being Added to Entire Fleet

Delta recently introduced a premium-economy cabin, called Economy Comfort (which is much like United's Economy Plus), on lenghty international flights. The passengers traveling in Economy Comfort are treated to extra legroom and priority boarding. The feedback was so positive the airline has decided to extend the Economy Comfort seats to its entire fleet (more than 550 aircraft and 250 regional jets). This expansion is the latest in Delta's $2 billion (plus) enhancement.

Best Major Airlines for Business Travel

Business Travel News publishes annual rankings of the major airlines for business travel, which can be telling signs of on airline's overall quality for travelers. This year's results are based on a poll of 406 travel managers and buyers who spend at least $500,000 a year on flights booked in the United States. The rankings only include the five largest domestic airlines.

Here are the 5 ranked from best to worst according to BTN's airline score, which is comprised of data gathered from 10 different categories:

1. Delta Airlines*
BTN airline score: 3.14

2. United Airlines/ Continental
BTN airline score: 3.12

3. US Airways
BTN airline score: 3.07

4. American Airlines
BTN airline score: 2.94

5. Southwest
BTN airline score: 2.9


*This is Delta's first time at the number one spot.

For a more detailed report of this information, see this: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44876792/ns/business-us_business/

United to Receive 50 Boeing Dreamliner 787 Aircraft

United Airlines is scheduled to begin using 50 Boeing Dreamliner 787 aircraft in 2012. United will be the first North American airline to receive the aircraft. The final assembly has just been completed and all that is left to do is configure the cabins, install the engines, and paint them.

According to Boeing's website, the 787 Dreamliner aircraft are "super-efficient airplanes with new passenger-pleasing features. They will bring the economics of large jet transports to the middle of the market, using 20 percent less fuel than any other airplanes of their size."

For more on the Dreamliner fleet and detailed specs: http://www.boeing.com/commercial/787family/background.html

80th anniversary of stewardesses

United Airlines has marked the 80th anniversary of its first stewardesses taking to the air. On 15 May 1930 United's first stewardesses, led by student pilot and registered nurse Ellen Church, make their inaugural flight on a Boeing 80A aircraft from Oakland/San Francisco to Chicago. The 20-hour journey at a cruising speed of 125mph carried 14 passengers and made 13 stops.