United Airlines Equips 200th Aircraft for Live Television

United Airlines has equipped a 200th aircraft with live television, offering its passengers more than 100 channels of live programming while in-flight.

According to United Airlines, it operates more live television-equipped aircraft than any other airline in the world.

In its merger with Continental Airlines, United Airlines inherited a large number of Boeing 737NGs operated by Continental and adopted the other carrier’s logo and livery, though the merged carriers have retained the name United

United now offers live television on most of its Boeing 737NG aircraft and on many of its Boeing 757-300 jets.

In addition to live news, sports and family entertainment, passengers may view up to eight newly released movies a month. The service is complimentary for customers in United First and available for purchase in United Economy starting at $5.99 and varying depending on the length of flight.

“The launch of live television on our 200th aircraft, our introduction this year of flat-bed seating on the transcontinental ‘p.s.’ service and satellite Wi-Fi now being implemented on our entire mainline fleet reflect our commitment to advancing the inflight experience for our customers,” says Tom O’Toole, senior vice president of marketing and loyalty for United and president of the airline’s MileagePlus frequent-flyer program.

Live television-equipped aircraft also feature power outlets in their United First and United Economy Plus cabins, enabling passengers to charge their cell phones, laptops, e-readers and other mobile devices.

This is how United Airlines’ new livery looks on one of its Boeing 747-400s following United’s merger with Continental Airlines to form the world’s largest airline. United is now under the ownership of United Continental Holdings, Inc.

United’s expansion of live television to additional aircraft is part of a continuing investment program in the airline’s in-flight service products.

The carrier offers personal on-demand entertainment for premium-cabin and economy-cabin customers on the majority of its long-haul international aircraft, providing hundreds of hours of movies, television programs, music and games.

Additionally, United is:

● Installing satellite Wi-Fi in its aircraft. The airline expects to have more than 200 aircraft equipped with the service by the end of 2013;

● Adding flat-bed seats in all of the airline’s long-haul international aircraft. United claims now to offer more flat-bed seating than any other U.S. carrier;

United Airlines painted this Airbus A320 in the carrier’s 1970’s ‘Friend Ship’ livery to commemorate the carrier’s 85th anniversary on April 6, 2011

● Introducing flat-bed seats on its transcontinental ‘p.s.’ premium service, as well as offering a revamped premium cabin, all-new interiors, personal on-demand entertainment, Wi-Fi connectivity, in-seat power and USB ports. The airline expects to complete the reconfiguration of its p.s. aircraft by the end of the year;

● Installing extra-legroom Economy Plus premium-economy class seating in more aircraft. The airline currently offers Economy Plus seating on nearly 650 mainline aircraft and approximately 150 regional jets;

● Nearly doubling the overhead storage space on more than 150 Airbus aircraft, with more than half of those retrofits completed; and

● Implementing streaming wireless video in its Boeing 747-400 widebodies, from later this year.