United Airlines is a major U.S. airline headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. It is the world's largest airline in terms of number of destinations. The airline was founded in 1926 as Varney Air Lines; it was renamed Boeing Air Transport in 1927 after it was acquired by aircraft manufacturer Boeing. United became an independent company in 1934, merging with Capital Airlines in 1961, and again with Continental Airlines in 2011. United is a founding member of the Star Alliance, the largest airline alliance in the world, and offers connections to over 1,000 destinations in over 170 countries on six continents. United operates 700 aircraft out of ten international hubs, the largest of which is George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston.

Frequent flyer program: MileagePlus

Alliance: STAR ALLIANCE

  

United Global First is offered on all Boeing 747-400, all three class Boeing 767-300ER, and most three class Boeing 777-200 aircraft. The United Global First Suite is 6.5 ft (2.0 m) long and when reclined it creates a fully flat bed. All seats are equipped with a personal LCD television with Audio-Video-on-Demand (AVOD), an adjustable headrest, an iPod adapter, a US-style 120-volt power outlet, a large tray table, and other things. United launched a new turn-down service which is available on all long-haul international flights.

United BusinessFirst is offered on all Boeing 747, Boeing 767, Boeing 777 and Boeing 787 aircraft, as well as select Boeing 757-200 (transatlantic configuration) aircraft. BusinessFirst passengers check in at separate counters and can use priority security screening where available. In-flight service includes pre-departure beverages, table linens and multi course meals designed by United's Congress of Chefs on international flights. Passengers are also given priority with boarding and baggage handling and access to the United Club and other airline lounges. The longest domestic routes (such as flights between East Coast and Hawaii) also feature a slightly scaled down version of United BusinessFirst.

Economy Plus is available on all aircraft in the domestic and international fleet. Economy Plus seats are located in the front of the economy cabin and have up to 6 inches of additional legroom. Economy Plus is available for free to all MileagePlus Elite members. 1K, Platinum and Gold members may select an Economy Plus seat when booking. Silver members can select an Economy Plus seat at check-in.[citation needed] It can also be purchased depending upon availability by other passengers. United kept the "Economy Plus" seating for the combined carrier after the merger.

United Economy is available on all aircraft in United's fleet. All United Economy seats on Boeing 767 and Boeing 777 aircraft feature an adjustable headrest and a personal television at the back of each seat. United Economy's in-flight entertainment system on these aircraft features either nine channels of entertainment on loop on a 5 inches (13 cm) screen, or AVOD with a 7 inches (18 cm) touch screen. On Boeing 747 aircraft, entertainment is provided by mainline TVs above the aisles and on flip down screens above the seats. United serves complimentary meals on international flights between the US, South America, Europe, the South Pacific and Asia. Shortly after takeoff, passengers are served cocktail snacks and free non-alcoholic drinks. Alcoholic drinks are not complimentary for economy passengers on international flights except to/from and within Asia where Beer and Wine are complimentary. On flights with meals, the main meal consists of a salad/appetizer, a choice of hot entries and dessert. On longer flights, United also offers a light pre-arrival meal.