The airline will open a new reception lobby for members of its invitation-only Global Services program and a new check-in area for Premier members of its MileagePlus loyalty program.
CHICAGO – United Airlines will unveil new check-in options tomorrow for its most frequent travelers at San Francisco International Airport, enabling faster movement from the curb to the gate. The airline will open a new reception lobby for members of its invitation-only Global Services program and a new check-in area for Premier members of its MileagePlus loyalty program.
Located across from doors five and six, on the departures level of Terminal 3, the new Global Services reception lobby will also offer personalized check-in services to customers traveling in United Global First on long-haul international flights. At approximately 1,100 square feet, the glass-enclosed facility will offer five full-service check-in podiums, a seating area and front-of-line security lane access, featuring TSA PreCheck.
San Francisco’s Global Services reception lobby is United’s third, coming after similar facilities at Chicago O’Hare International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport.
San Francisco International Airport, United’s International First Lounge.
Premier Check-In
The airline’s new Premier check-in area, near Terminal 3’s Boarding Area E, will offer expedited check-in for MileagePlus Premier members, including kiosks that enable customers to tag their own checked bags if they choose to, further speeding their path to the gate.
This new check-in area replaces the previous Terminal 3 Premier check in, which in the future will serve United Economy customers and travel groups.
“With these additions at our San Francisco hub, we are pleased to further upgrade the premium experience that we offer our customers,” said Jimmy Samartzis, United’s vice president of customer experience. “These new amenities will provide a higher level of comfort, convenience and personalized service, enhancing our most frequent travelers’ experience when they fly with us.”
San Francisco Enhancements
The new Global Services reception lobby and Premier check-in area are among United’s many customer-service enhancements this year in San Francisco. Others include:
- The ultra-modern Boarding Area E, which offers a modern design, dining options featuring Bay Area businesses, more comfortable seating and power outlets throughout, enabling customers to stay connected and productive;
- A new United Club, located near Boarding Area E; and
- Mercedes-Benz tarmac-transportation service, offering Global Services and United Global First customers chauffeured rides across the tarmac between flights.
United in San Francisco
United is the largest carrier at San Francisco International Airport, offering nearly 300 daily flights to more than 90 destinations in the U.S. and around the world, more service than any other airline from the Bay Area. United currently operates nearly 30 daily nonstop flights from San Francisco to more than 20 international destinations and will add nonstop service from San Francisco to Tokyo’s Haneda Airport later this month.
United Airlines to Add Wi-Fi, Personal Device Entertainment to Regional Jets
Also, the airline announced plans to outfit more than 200 two-cabin United Express regional jets with Wi-Fi and personal device entertainment, with the first Wi-Fi-enabled flights expected later this year.
The airline intends to install Gogo’s ATG-4 advanced air-to-ground Wi-Fi product on E170, E175 and CRJ700 aircraft and to complete planned installations by next summer.
Early next year, United expects to expand personal device entertainment to these aircraft, enabling customers to select from a wide range of movies and television shows to view on their Wi-Fi-enabled iOS and Android devices using United’s mobile app, as well as on laptop computers.
“United is pleased to extend our growing Wi-Fi and personal device entertainment platform to our fleet of larger regional jets,” said Jeff Foland, United’s executive vice president of marketing, technology and strategy. “These new elements will enhance the entire in-flight experience for our customers.”
Regional Jet Investments
United has announced significant investments in its United Express service, including:
- A fleet of 120 brand new E175 regional jets, which offer 12 seats in United First with in-seat power, 16 United Economy Plus seats, and larger overhead bins throughout the aircraft;
- New, modern seats with a signature seat design on more than 100 CRJ700 aircraft and on the E175 fleet; and
- Freshly prepared food for premium-cabin customers on United Express flights beginning in 2015.
Wi-Fi and Entertainment Investments
- The launch of regional jet Wi-Fi and personal device entertainment is United’s latest investment in its customers’ in-flight connectivity. The airline also offers:
- More than 340 aircraft with Wi-Fi, including nearly two-thirds of its mainline domestic fleet, with plans to install Wi-Fi on the entire mainline fleet by mid-2015; and
- More than 180 mainline aircraft with personal device entertainment, including all Boeing 747s and Airbus aircraft and nine Boeing 777s that primarily fly between the continental U.S. and Hawaii. United plans to offer personal device entertainment on more than 200 mainline aircraft by the end of this year.
Photo caption: San Francisco International Airport, Boarding Area E.
Tatiana is the news coordinator for TravelDailyNews Media Network (traveldailynews.gr, traveldailynews.com and traveldailynews.asia). Her role includes monitoring the hundreds of news sources of TravelDailyNews Media Network and skimming the most important according to our strategy.
She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication & Mass Media from Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens and she has been editor and editor-in-chief in various economic magazines and newspapers.
