October 27, 2006
United Airlines said on Friday it raised round-trip fares by USD$6 and one-way tickets by USD$3 on some routes where it faces low-cost competition.

A spokeswoman for United said the carrier increased the prices on Thursday night to offset the higher cost of fuel.

US carriers have implemented several fare increases this year to combat high fuel prices. United spokeswoman Robin Urbanski said that despite a recent decline in fuel prices, fares in some markets are still too low.

The price of crude oil -- directly linked to the price of jet fuel -- has fallen more than 20 percent since August, but the price remains historically high and a burden for airlines. On Friday, crude was trading at USD$60.78 a barrel.

American Airlines matched United's increase on Friday morning, an AMR spokesman said. Bankrupt Delta Air Lines said it also has matched the increase. Continental Airlines said it has not matched.

It remains to be seen whether the fare increases will last. Earlier this month, several airlines rescinded increases that went unmatched by a broad base of competitors, according to industry sources.

(Reuters)

October 31, 2006
United Airlines' parent UAL on Tuesday posted a third-quarter profit, but shares fell as some experts considered the ongoing threats to the industry.

United, the number 2 US airline reported earnings of USD$190 million, compared with a year-earlier net loss of USD$1.77 billion.

The profit, UAL's second since emerging from bankruptcy in February, initially sent the airline's stock to a nearly six month high. But shares later fell by around 3.5 percent.

Airline consultant Robert Mann said UAL still faced high fuel prices. "The pressure is not off for sure," he said. "It's never off, but particularly not now."

UAL, which emerged from bankruptcy in February, said that excluding special items, profit was USD$335 million, compared with USD$165 million a year earlier.

Revenue rose to USD$5.18 billion from USD$4.66 billion. UAL said its operating expenses increased by only 8 percent, despite a 23 percent increase in fuel costs.

"Expenses were little lower than I was expecting, so it was not a bad quarter," Becker said.

US airlines have been battered by high fuel costs this year. Intense low-fare competition in the industry has made it hard for the companies to raise fares enough to cover costs.

Carriers, however, have managed to pull capacity -- the number of seats for sale -- from their systems and raise fares accordingly. As a result, airlines are seeing profits.

UAL expects to raise its mainline capacity by 1 percent in 2007, Chief Financial Officer Jake Brace said.

The company used its bankruptcy protection to slash its costs by USD$7 billion a year. The carrier, along with its rivals, continues to seek ways to trim labor costs and costs of operations by improving airline efficiency.

"We reported costs that were competitive with our peers," Chief Executive Glenn Tilton said in a recorded message to employees. "Through our continuous improvement efforts, we are improving our work processes and identifying new cost-savings opportunities."

United and other airlines have enjoyed a decline in energy costs in recent months. Since August, the price of crude oil -- directly linked to the price of jet fuel -- has fallen nearly 25 percent.

Nevertheless, the price remains historically high and is a burden on airlines.

UAL said that as of Monday, it had hedged 34 percent of its expected fuel consumption against sharp price increases in the fourth quarter of 2006 and 25 percent in the first quarter of 2007.

The company said it had ended the quarter with a cash position of USD$4.9 billion, including USD$860 million in restricted cash.

(Reuters)

Nov 7, 3:02 PM EST
www.ap.org

CHICAGO (AP) -- A United Airlines plane's wing clipped the tail of another jetliner Tuesday morning as they taxied toward takeoff at O'Hare International Airport, aviation officials said. No injuries were reported

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/O/OHARE_ACCIDENT?SITE=MNCLO&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

November 14, 2006



CHICAGO, Nov. 14, 2006 - As part of United's plans to upgrade its international first and business class travel experience for customers, United and Apple have teamed up to add iPod connectivity to United's inflight entertainment service. This connectivity will enable customers to plug-in and charge their iPod, watch movies and TV shows on their iPod using United’s big-screen monitors, as well as listen to their entire music library on United’s noise-cancellation headsets.


“There is significant value in offering a superior inflight entertainment experience to our first and business class customers during their international flights,” said Graham Atkinson, executive vice president and chief customer officer. “We are identifying what matters most to our premium customers and then delivering the right products and services – like the iPod connectivity – to meet those needs.”



United announced earlier this year that it will upgrade its first and business class products and services beginning next year and reconfigure the entire international wide-body fleet throughout the next two to three years. Current plans include overhauling ground and onboard products and services to enhance the entire premium travel experience – from when customers check-in to when they arrive at their destination.

NEW YORK, Nov 15 (Reuters) - United Airlines parent UAL Corp. (UAUA.O: Quote, Profile, Research) may not have made the first move in the long-anticipated consolidation in the U.S. airline industry, but it is likely to be a major player in the process.

"The industrial logic of mergers in the airline industry is so compelling," Jake Brace, UAL's chief financial officer, said at a Citigroup investor conference on Wednesday.

"We believe mergers in the airline industry have significant synergies, and we believe the industry needs to consolidate," Brace said.

The comments came after US Airways Group Inc. (LCC.N: Quote, Profile, Research) made an $8 billion offer for larger, bankrupt rival Delta Air Lines Inc. (DALRQ.PK: Quote, Profile, Research). The offer is expected to spur counter offers or new combinations, kicking off a consolidation race.

Analysts see United Airlines as the better partner and likeliest counter bidder for Delta, but the airline was coy about its plans.

"We're going to do what makes sense for our company, and we'll be interested to see what happens with US Air and Delta," UAL CFO Brace said.

United, which analysts say has routes that better complement Delta's than US Airways', is expected to act shortly.

"United is going to have to play its hand pretty quick," said Joe Schwieterman, a transportation expert at DePaul University. "We could even see a bidding war for Delta in the next few weeks."

The US Airways offer prompted a rally in airline stocks, with the Dow Jones U.S. airlines index <.DJUSAR> rising to its highest level in three years, as investors expected US Airways' offer to spark more merger activity in the sector.

"We would not be surprised if other offers emerge for Delta and that an industry trend in M&A starts," said Ray Neidl, an analyst with Calyon Securities.

Shares in Northwest Airlines Corp. (NWACQ.PK: Quote, Profile, Research), which like Delta is bankrupt, nearly doubled to $1.74. Continental Airlines Inc. (CAL.N: Quote, Profile, Research) and American Airlines parent AMR Corp. (AMR.N: Quote, Profile, Research) hit five-year highs on expectations that they may also participate in the potential merger frenzy. (Additional reporting by Paritosh Bansal and Kyle Peterson)

CUPERTINO, Calif. (AP) -- Apple Computer Inc. said Tuesday its iPod media players will be integrated with the in-flight entertainment systems of six airlines.

Passengers on UAL Corp.'s United Airlines, Continental Airlines Inc. and Delta Air Lines Inc., as well as Dubai-based Emirates, Dutch carrier KLM and Air France, will be able to power and charge their iPods during flights and watch video content from their iPods on seat-back displays.

The service will be available on the airlines beginning in mid-2007. It will likely help solidify the iPod's dominance in portable players.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/APPLE_PLANES?SITE=NHPOR&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

Hi Everyone

I am looking to get some information about Untied Airlines. I was wondering if anyone could tell me if they have a Cabin Crew base at JFK, and if they do training at this base.

I was also interested to find out more about the London and other international bases. If they are likely to close or maybe recruit from any of them at all soon. I have been waiting for them to recruit for many years now, still waiting....

Thanks for any info
Cheers

Hi Everyone
I am looking to get some information about Untied Airlines. I was wondering if anyone could tell me if they have a Cabin Crew base at JFK, and if they do training at this base.
I was also interested to find out more about the London and other international bases. If they are likely to close or maybe recruit from any of them at all soon. I have been waiting for them to recruit for many years now, still waiting....
Thanks for any info
Cheers

Have you tried www.ual.com ?

United-Continental talks pick up pace - source
Fri Feb 15, 2008 6:59pm EST
By Jui Chakravorty Das

NEW YORK, Feb 15 (Reuters) - Merger talks between United Airlines (UAUA.O: Quote, Profile, Research) and Continental Airlines Inc (CAL.N: Quote, Profile, Research) have picked up pace, but a deal still hinges on the outcome of discussions between Delta Air Lines (DAL.N: Quote, Profile, Research) and Northwest Airlines Corp (NWA.N: Quote, Profile, Research), people briefed on the situation said on Friday.

Talks between Delta and Northwest are hurtling toward a deal, but a merger announcement is not expected this weekend, the sources told Reuters.

Pilots at both airlines are reviewing a proposal of what the merged company would look like. But a deal could be announced before the pilots' union approves the proposal if the workers take too long, one person said.

Continental Airlines Inc has also had exploratory talks with AMR Corp's (AMR.N: Quote, Profile, Research) American Airlines, The Wall Street Journal said on its Web site late Friday.

http://www.reuters.com/article/companyNews/idUSN1560268920080215

Hi

Does anyone have any info on united recruiting for the london base? I am working for bmi at LHR and heard united might recruit this year! Am very interested in any info!

Thanks in advance
:)