The trans-con premium battle heats up, United upgrades 15 Boeing 757-200s with flat-bed seats

United Airlines (Chicago) today announced it is the first and only airline to offer premium-cabin, flat-bed seats on every scheduled trans-continental flight between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and San Francisco and between New York JFK and Los Angeles.

The airline has completed an extensive redesign of 15 Boeing 757-200s that fly these p.s. “Premium Service” routes.

The revamped p.s. aircraft offer 28 180-degree flat-bed United BusinessFirst seats, offering up to 6’4″ of sleeping space and more room for storage; 42 extra-legroom United Economy Plusseats; and 72 United Economy seats.

Designed to give customers an experience comparable to long-haul, international flights, United’s refurbished p.s. aircraft also offer:

Inflight Wi-Fi
Personal, on-demand entertainment at every seat – with 15.4″ monitors in United BusinessFirst and 9″ monitors in United Economy – offering hundreds of movies and television shows, plus other entertainment options
Power outlets and USB ports at every seat
Two additional inches of legroom in United Economy Plus compared to Economy Plus legroom on pre-renovation p.s. service
Multi-course meals in United BusinessFirst on most flights
Wine selections recommended by Doug Frost, United’s Master Sommelier and Master of Wine, including half bottles of premium wines for purchase in United Economy

“Our investment in these aircraft and in the p.s. service will add greatly to our flyer-friendly customer experience on these coast-to-coast flights,” said Jeff Foland, United’s executive vice president of marketing, technology and strategy. “This is just one more example of the many things we are doing to provide greater onboard comfort and convenience on every United flight.”

Customer Service Investments

United’s renovated p.s. aircraft are among the many investments the airline is making to enhance its customers’ experience in the air and on the ground. United also offers:

Premium-cabin, flat-bed seats on every scheduled long-haul international flight from the continental United States
Satellite-fed Wi-Fi on more than 130 aircraft so far, with nearly all of United’s mainline fleet outfitted with Wi-Fi by the end of 2014
An all-new mobile application for the iOS 7 platform, offering customers innovative new features, better functionality and an improved touch-friendly design
Live television on more than 200 aircraft, the world’s largest fleet of aircraft with live television
Significantly upgraded United Club lounges in Chicago O’Hare Terminal 2, Seattle and San Diego, with improved amenities, modern interiors, more power outlets and complimentary snacks and Wi-Fi

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com (all others by United). Boeing 757-224 WL N19141 (msn 30354) departs from Los Angeles International Airport.

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