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United Airlines Premium Service -
Travel Feature

Living Large while Flying Commercial

by Alain Gayot

Friendly crew and happy passenger, Alain Gayot, on United Airlines' Premium Service
Friendly crew and happy passenger

For air travel, nothing has been quite the same since 9/11. However, since its 2002 bankruptcy filing, United Airlines is trying to win back passengers by making the skies even friendlier. With United's Premium Service, transcontinental passengers can enjoy amenities between Los Angeles or San Francisco and New York in modified 757's that rival those in private jet flights. With a friendly, service-oriented crew, first class is truly first class, including such pampering details as lavatories strewn with flower petals.

As first class passengers sip Bellini cocktails, they can peruse the distinctive menu and choose from an assortment of international wines to match their food selections. Instead of the stale pretzels offered by other airlines, they indulge in the likes of goat cheese napoleon in balsamic vinaigrette and chive, and macadamia nut-crusted chicken with raspberry demi-glace accompanied by ham and egg fried rice with julienned green and red peppers. If there's still room after the cheese selection, they can make their own sundae for dessert, then finish off the meal with Gayety's chocolate truffles and an after dinner drink.

Flower power in the lavatories in United Airlines' Premium Service
Flower power in the lavatories

After all that, if a nap is necessary, the seat can be laid out perfectly flat. Passengers who prefer to be entertained by more than sweet dreams can watch their choice of films on a personal DVD player with a noise-canceling headset.

Just like in the good old days of air travel, there is a true three-class cabin. Business and Economy Plus passengers enjoy more space and more amenities than they would on a typical transcontinental flight as well. Every seat on the plane is equipped with laptop power and phone access. Because you almost feel as if you're on a private plane, this is the only commercial transcontinental flight we look forward to boarding.

The United First Class Lie-flat seat
The United First Class Lie-flat seat


Rates vary, depending on schedule. For more information, go to www.unitedps.com

 

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(Updated: 11/03/11 CT)

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