| Today's Travel News |
|
|
| · July 1, 2003 · |
|
For More About
Where To Go Next |
· Ticketless Travel With United Airlines And Lufthansa Enhanced Cooperation Dramatically Increases the Number of Available Electronic Ticketing RoutesCHICAGO, Ill. and EAST MEADOW, N.Y. - United Airlines (OTCBB: UALAQ) and Lufthansa today announced the expansion of their interline electronic ticketing network, which will now allow passengers of both airlines to enjoy the benefits of electronic ticketing on almost three times as many routes. Beginning today, interline electronic ticketing will be available for more than 100 destinations in 40 countries served by Lufthansa and its partners as well as for all of United and United Express' 186 destinations in the U.S. The newly expanded network now includes over 270 worldwide destinations served by both airlines. Passengers will receive their boarding pass either at the check-in counter or at a self check-in kiosk. United passengers traveling on domestic German or European routes will be able to use any of the more than 300 Lufthansa Quick Check-in terminals with their Mileage Plus card, while Lufthansa passengers traveling within the U.S. will be able to check in at the more than 500 United Easy Check-in units. United and Lufthansa have also harmonized their flight reservation systems to allow joint access to passengers' flight information, further enhancing customer service at all customer contact points. Interline electronic tickets can be issued by United and Lufthansa through their respective reservation centers and airports and soon through travel agents as well. United also provides interline electronic ticketing in any combination of travel on United, American, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, Continental, Delta, Hawaiian Airlines, Northwest and US Airways. Electronic Lufthansa tickets, which are also valid on flights operated by the existing Lufthansa partners Eurowings and the Austrian Airlines Group, will be combined with United Airlines flights by the end of 2003. Since United first introduced electronic ticketing in November 1994, customer usage of electronic ticketing has surged. Today, over 90% of United's customers traveling domestically and 54% internationally check-in with electronic tickets. United implemented its first interline product with Air Canada in June 1999. United will continue efforts towards full electronic ticketing by the end of next year and issue only electronic tickets for all eligible domestic and international itineraries by 2004. The enhanced cooperation between United and Lufthansa was introduced last November. The goal of this enhanced cooperation is to integrate both partners' core processes more closely in order to secure and expand their current market position on North Atlantic routes. As always, the key factor in all considerations is the benefit to the customer. About United: In 2002, United's employees broke 35 company records and achieved the best overall operational performance in the company's 77-year history. United Airlines finished 2002 ranked No. 1 in the industry in domestic on-time performance, according to the official U.S. Department of Transportation's Air Travel Consumer report. United and United Express operate more than 3,300 flights a day on a route network that spans the globe. News releases and other information about United can be found at the company's website at www.united.com. About Lufthansa: From its Frankfurt and Munich hubs, Lufthansa provides one of the most extensive global networks of any major airline, serving 340 destinations in nearly 90 countries worldwide, including 19 cities throughout North America. For reservations call 800-645-3880 or visit www.lufthansa-usa.com. Media Contact: United Airlines www.united.com |
| Produced by Judi Janofsky, Rich Steck and the Golf Press Association |