United to launch Chicago-Shannon service, boost Houston-London options

CHICAGO, Ill. – United Airlines today announced it will inaugurate five-times-weekly non-stop service between its Chicago hub and Shannon, Ireland, from Jun. 6 to Aug. 26, 2013, subject to government approval.

The airline will also launch a third daily service between its Houston hub and London Heathrow, effective Mar. 30, 2013.
“Our global network, which includes unmatched hub locations in the U.S. and the Pacific, sets United apart from our competitors,” said Jeff Smisek, United’s president and CEO. “These new flights offer travelers more choice and convenience, while our continuing investment in new aircraft, onboard products and services and technology results in a better travel experience for customers.”

Chicago-Shannon

The Chicago-Shannon flight will depart Chicago O’Hare five times each week at 6 p.m., arriving in Shannon at 7:30 a.m. the following day. The return flight will depart Shannon at 11 a.m., arriving in Chicago at 1:05 p.m. the same day. United will operate the flight using Boeing 757-200 aircraft with a total of 169 seats – 16 in United BusinessFirst, 45 in United Economy Plus and 108 in United Economy. Eastbound service to Shannon will not operate on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Westbound service to Chicago will not operate on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Nonstop flights from Shannon to Chicago offer customers the added convenience of clearing customs and immigration pre-departure, enabling more efficient connections and a streamlined arrival process at Chicago O’Hare.

Houston-London

The additional Houston-London flight will depart Houston daily at 8:30 p.m., arriving at London Heathrow at 12:05 p.m. the following day. The return flight will depart London Heathrow daily at 1:05 p.m., arriving in Houston at 5:45 p.m. the same day. United will operate the service between Houston and London using Boeing 767-300 aircraft, with flat-bed seats, premium menu options and Economy Plus seats with additional legroom. Tickets for the additional Houston-London service will be available for sale on Oct. 6.

With the new flight, United will offer more nonstop flights between Houston and London than any other carrier.

New Domestic Service

United will also launch three-times-daily service from the Washington Dulles hub to Fayetteville, N.C. on Feb. 14, 2013, and once-daily nonstop service from the Chicago hub to Mobile, Ala. on April 9, 2013. United Express carrier ExpressJet will operate the Chicago-Mobile services. United Express carrier CommutAir will operate the Washington-Fayetteville services.

In addition to linking Mobile and Fayetteville with United’s hub cities, the new domestic flights are timed to offer convenient connections at the hubs to United’s global route network.

The Mobile and Fayetteville services will be available for sale on Oct. 6.