United Airlines announces plans to launch nonstop service to Kuwait

Pending foreign government approval, United plans to begin service in late October 2006, and will be the only U.S. airline to offer nonstop service between the United States and Kuwait. Customers will be able to make reservations beginning Saturday, May 27.

'Launching service to Kuwait further demonstrates our commitment to expanding our global network, bringing our passenger and cargo customers closer to the world's key economic centers,' says John Tague, United's executive vice president and chief revenue officer. 'Our business and cargo customers will soon have direct access into the Middle East where there is strong demand from the petroleum, energy and shipping industries.'

The proposed flight schedule between Washington, D.C. and Kuwait City will be as follows:

Schedule

Depart - Washington-Dulles - 9:56 p.m.
Tue., Thu., Sat.
Arrive - Kuwait City - 5:55 p.m. (the following day)

Depart - Kuwait City - 12:35 a.m.
Mon., Thu., Sat.
Arrive - Washing-Dulles - 6:27 a.m.

All routes and frequencies are subject to change.

United plans to operate combined passenger and cargo service between the United States and Kuwait using a Boeing-777 aircraft configured with 10 United First Suite(R) seats, 45 United Business(R) seats and 198 United Economy(R) class seats, including 84 Economy Plus(R) seats.

The new route is expected to serve as an important cargo access point into the Middle East, due to the region's high demand for oil and gas equipment, and perishables. Mail also is expected to represent a significant amount of volume on these flights.

United has had a long-standing presence in Kuwait through its partnership with STAR Alliance partner Lufthansa. United's global network will now be enhanced through its proposed nonstop service, which will provide travelers and shippers with convenient connections to more than 90 destinations via its Washington-Dulles hub.