Your Support Helps United Secure New Route to China from SFO



Employee support helped convince the U.S. Department of Transportation to award United a new direct route to China, making us the first U.S. carrier to offer daily, nonstop service to Guangzhou (CAN). The San Francisco-Guangzhou service will begin in spring of 2008.

* After reviewing United's proposal that demonstrated passenger demand and nationwide economic benefit, DOT selected United's proposed route after several weeks of deliberation.

"United is honored to be selected as the first U.S. carrier to provide nonstop service between San Francisco and Guangzhou, important cities in the world economy," says Glenn Tilton. "Our success would not have been possible without the broad base of support from our employees, customers and public officials in California who understand the importance of this route for the economy of the entire nation."

* Employees sent in more than 16,000 messages of support to 369 members of Congress and U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters.

* "Our thanks go out to all our employees who took a few moments to make their voices heard in support of the new route -- their efforts played a key role in the DOT's decision to award United the route," says Mark Anderson, United's vice president-Government Affairs.

* A diverse group of government, business and community leaders advocated for the route. There was significant support from four governors, bipartisan state legislators, members of the U.S. Congress and many prominent California-based businesses.

* This brings to six the number of daily nonstop flights United provides to China, including daily nonstop flights to Beijing from San Francisco, Chicago and Washington, D.C.; and daily nonstop flights to Shanghai from Chicago and San Francisco.

* United will use a B777 aircraft for the San Francisco service, with a three-class configuration, including United First, United Business, Economy Plus and United Economy, providing more seating options and comfort for long-haul flights.

* In China, passengers will benefit from United's codeshare alliances with Air China and Shanghai Airlines, allowing convenient connections to other cities in China.