United's New Low Cost Operation Launches From DEN in
February
United Airlines has
announced that Denver will be the launch hub for its new low-cost
operation (LCO), an essential element within United's portfolio of
products. The LCO will serve predominantly 'leisure' markets, and
will feature a simplified fare structure with low-cost business and
leisure fare options. The LCO will launch from Denver International
Airport in February 2004. [The HCO will continue nearly all its
routes --ed.]
"The United low cost operation and its attractiveness to leisure
and business travelers perfectly complement our mainline and United
Express operations, and those of our Star Alliance partners," said
Sean Donohue, vice president for the LCO. "We've made significant
reductions in our cost structure this year, allowing our low cost
operation to be competitive, profitable and sustainable. The LCO is
operated entirely by United employees and part of the strong brand
and portfolio of products that our customers expect us to
provide."
Tickets will go on sale in November through all existing sales
channels -- united.com, United Reservations, travel agents, and
on-line reservation systems -- and, later, via sales channels
unique to the LCO.
The LCO fleet will launch with 4, A320 aircraft in Denver, and
expand to 40 A320s by the end of 2004, 19 of which will be based in
Denver. Each plane will have 156 seats, including a section of
Economy Plus seats with extra legroom. From Denver, the LCO will
fly to Reno, Las Vegas, Phoenix, New Orleans, Tampa, Ontario (CA),
and Orlando. Additional destinations will be announced at a later
date.
All seats will be pre-assigned, and food and beverage service
will be available on board. United customers will earn Mileage Plus
miles on the LCO, and United's suite of Easy products, including
EasyCheck-in and EasyUpdate, will be available to LCO
customers.
The LCO will complement United's mainline and United Express
service from Denver, the company's second-largest hub, and will be
fully integrated into the United and United Express network. LCO
customers will enjoy seamless connections to United, United Express
and Star Alliance flights, including baggage check-through.
"This really underscores our long-term commitment to Denver, to
Denver International Airport, and to our United and United Express
employees in this community," said Pete McDonald, executive vice
president - operations. "It also signals our intent to offer
consumers more choice, more flights, more destinations, and
simplified, lower fares on the LCO routes."
* "Avolar" is the name of UAL's stillborn fractional airline.
The LCO, name not yet determined, will be a United-branded product.
The LCO name will be announced later this year.
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