CHICAGO, Oct. 29 (UPI) -- United Airlines launched an upscale, coast-to-coast service Friday in a potentially risky gamble to bolster its hold on business travelers.
The No. 2 carrier, which has been bankrupt since December 2002, introduced the first of 13 revamped Boeing 757s on flights connecting New York John F. Kennedy and Los Angeles International, USA Today reported.
The airlines' premium service will eventually include seven daily round trips linking Los Angeles and New York and six linking San Francisco and New York.
First-class passengers will get lie-flat sleeper seats in regular U.S. service. Business-class seats will recline more than usual, and coach passengers will have 3 extra inches of legroom over comparable domestic flights.
Meals and amenities, like power outlets at every seat, are also improved, United said.
The service will shrink the number of seats United offers on the two routes nearly 35 percent.
United recently said the move would cut domestic capacity by 12 percent and boost international capacity by 14 percent.
Low-end fares will remain the same as coach fares on regular United flights, but last-minute, first class round trip ticket on the premium service will be higher, $4,400 for a New York-Los Angeles round trip ticket.
