United Airlines' Expanded Service to Central America, Through TACA GROUP Code-share and Frequent Flyer Agreement, Starts Today
Partnership opens 18 new Central and South America destinations to United
customers and gives TACA customers unprecedented access to 192 cities
worldwide
CHICAGO, June 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- United Airlines and TACA
GROUP today begin their code-share agreement, significantly expanding
international destination options and frequent-flyer opportunities for
customers of both carriers.
"Partnering with such a prominent, high-quality Latin American airline
group as TACA both strengthens the value of our service and supports our
ability to grow internationally," says Mike Whitaker, United's vice
president- Alliances, International & Regulatory Affairs. "Our agreement
with TACA enables us to significantly and strategically increase the depth
and breadth of our service into Central America for our customers."
"Complementary route networks, shared commitment to superior customer
service, and an experience in the industry that dates back to the beginning
of the century make TACA and United natural partners in their continuous
efforts to improve the customer travel experience," says Roberto Kriete,
TACA's president of the Board and CEO. "This agreement's forward-looking
approach yields strategic implications that will enable our users to enjoy
a worldwide connection and combined frequent flyer benefits."
TACA GROUP serves 35 cities in 19 countries in the Americas, with hub
operations in San Salvador, El Salvador; San Jose, Costa Rica; and Lima,
Peru.
The combination of the carriers' complementary networks opens doors for
customers of each airline, giving United's customers the opportunity to fly
and earn Mileage Plus(R) miles to places never before served in Central and
South America and redeem miles for award travel to destinations such as
Costa Rica, Belize and Peru (e.g., Lima and Cuzco). Additionally, customers
flying with TACA will have the opportunity to connect to destinations
worldwide via United from four of its five U.S. domestic hubs, including
Chicago O'Hare, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington Dulles, while
earning DISTANCIA miles.
Customers of both United and TACA may now purchase one ticket, check in
for the complete journey and receive miles in their frequent flyer program
from the cities United serves to destinations served by TACA, and vice
versa.
About TACA
TACA GROUP is the leading commercial aviation consortium in Latin
America, serving its customers with 30 Airbus aircraft, all from the A320
family. TACA is the result of a strategic alliance that integrates Central
America with the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and South
America. TACA's vision guides more than 6,000 employees that work in unison
to operate 135 daily flights -- with an average 12 hours of flight a day
per aircraft and a 93 percent on-time performance, offering world-class
service with Latin taste. During 2006, the airline will serve 3.5 million
passengers and expects a sales volume of $750 million. More information on
TACA and its services can be found at
http://www.taca.com and news releases
can be accessed through
http://news.taca.com .
About United
United Airlines (Nasdaq: UAUA) operates more than 3,700* flights a day
on United, United Express and Ted to more than 210 U.S. domestic and
international destinations from its hubs in Los Angeles, San Francisco,
Denver, Chicago and Washington, D.C. With key global air rights in the
Asia- Pacific region, Europe and Latin America, United is one of the
largest international carriers based in the United States. United is also a
founding member of Star Alliance, which provides connections for our
customers to 842 destinations in 152 countries worldwide. United's 57,000
employees reside in every U.S. state and in many countries around the
world. News releases and other information about United can be found at the
company's Web site at united.com.
* Based on the flight schedule between May 1, 2006 and Dec. 31, 2006.
Worldwide Press Office:
Days: 847.700.5538
Evenings/Weekends: 847.700.4088
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