United Continental Holdings has announced plans to retain 'Economy Plus' seating on United flights and expand the option to Continental aircraft, under a massive retrofit project that will begin in 2012.
Economy Plus offers up to five inches of additional legroom to customers seated in the forward section of United's economy-class cabins. United currently offers Economy Plus on all 359 mainline aircraft and more than 150 larger regional jets operated by United Express carriers.
When the multi-year conversion process is complete, the company plans to offer Economy Plus on more than 700 mainline aircraft, including all Continental mainline aircraft, as well as larger regional aircraft.
The decision to maintain and expand Economy Plus across the combined fleet "marks a significant milestone in the product integration of United and Continental", says United Continental, which has not disclosed the expected cost of the project.
"Customers who sit in Economy Plus are significantly more satisfied with their travel experience, as are travellers who choose other options that enable them to tailor their travel to their liking," says United Continental chief executive Jim Compton.
Continental currently offers extra legroom seats and will continue to offer that option to travellers until those aircraft are reconfigured with Economy Plus seating.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
