Personal video at every seat on new flights to LA

United Airlines will introduce Boeing 777 aircraft on its daily non-stop service between Auckland and Los Angeles, effective June 9.

The newly-delivered B777s feature a personal video screen at every seat in each cabin. Passengers will enjoy nine channels of video programming and 19 channels of CD-quality audio entertainment.

Each aircraft will also have the United First Suite with a 2m lie-flat bed, and the awarding-winning United Business seat.

"The introduction of B777s on this route will represent an enhanced total onboard experience for our customers," said Jim Brennan, United's Vice President for Pacific South.

It also means United will become the first and only airline to offer a personal video screen in all three cabins flying between New Zealand and the United States every day.

With the switch to the B777 aircraft, United flight UA842 from Auckland to Los Angeles will be rescheduled to depart Auckland at 6.30 pm from June 9, arriving in Los Angeles at 11.20 am the same day.

This departure time allows customers a full day in Auckland before flying and offers convenient connecting option for customers from other New Zealand cities to catch the United flight to the US. The arrival time in Los Angeles allows for same day connections to most US cities.

As a result of the service rearrangement in New Zealand, United Airlines will discontinue flying its own aircraft on the service between Auckland and Melbourne from April 7, 2002. This route will continue to be offered on the United route network by Star Alliance partner Air New Zealand.

The new schedules will be available for sale on Monday, February 4, 2002.