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United Air to resume round-the-world service

Our Bureau

NEW DELHI, April 1

UNITED Airlines is poised to resume its round-the-world service via New Delhi starting from April 1. This service will link Washington DC, Los Angeles, Hong Kong and London to New Delhi.

The airlines also expects to carry approximately 19 tonnes of cargo out of here, according to Mr James Brennan, Vice-President, Pacific South, United Airlines.

Speaking about the initiatives of the airlines at a press conference here today, Mr Brennan said that ``we are in the unique position of being the only carrier that links India to Europe, Asia and the US both from East and West, via London and Hong Kong' '.

Asked whether the airlines was geared to face competition in the sector, Mr Brennan said, ``the market is more vibrant now and we are not averse to competition.''

United Airlines is going to be competitive in the market as far as pricing is concerned, he said. So far, the bookings on the flights are looking good, Mr Brennan added.

For the round-the-world route, United will offer Boeing 747-400 three-class service on all flight segments, featuring a configuration of 14 modern United First suites, 84 seats in United Business, and 270 seats in United Economy.

Other on-board features included special in-flight entertainment and Indian cuisine on these flights. For in-flight entertainment content, United has tied up with BBC to provide their popular programmes such as Simpson's World, India Travel Show and Whee ls on the Delhi-London sector.

Further, customers travelling from Delhi to New York City and other points in the eastern US will have convenient connecting service via London, Heathrow. Likewise, these customers will be able to connect to cities in the western US through non-stop serv ice via Hong Kong.

The airline first launched its round-the-world service in December 1995, but in the fall of 1999, it had temporarily suspended its Delhi service due to the Asian economic recession, he said.

Further, the airline also announced the launch of a India-specific Web site. The site can be accessed at www.unitedairlines.co.in.

``Through this Web site, United's customers in India will be able to take advantage of the choice, convenience and control that comes only with shopping over the Internet,'' Mr Michael Purchon, General Manager-India, United Airlines, said.

The customers visiting the site will be able to book and purchase tickets. Fares and tickets purchased via the site will be priced in Indian currency.

Further, the customers can also earn bonus frequent flyer miles, Mr Purchon said. The users of the site will receive a 1,000-mile bonus in their United Mileage Plus account for booking on the site. Between March 1 and June 30, users will receive an addit ional 1,000-mile bonus for every booking they make at the site, he said.