United Continental Holdings and ANA Launch Trans-Pacific Joint Venture

CHICAGO and LOS ANGELES, April 1, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ —

United Continental Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: UAL) and ANA today announced the launch of their trans-Pacific joint venture, through which United Airlines and Continental Airlines may coordinate sales and marketing with ANA and improve benefits offered to each airline’s frequent flyers.

Through the joint venture, enabled by the U.S.-Japan Open Skies agreement and antitrust immunity granted by U.S. and Japanese regulators, the airlines can align schedules, fares, and terms and conditions for itineraries beginning April 1.

“We are pleased to launch our joint venture with ANA, as it will offer travelers greater choices, convenience and flexibility for their trans-Pacific travels,” said Jeff Smisek, president and chief executive officer of United Continental Holdings.

“By forging this closer cooperation with our partner airlines in the Star Alliance, we will significantly enhance our ability to serve trans-Pacific customers and offer new choice and convenience for passengers,” said Shinichiro Ito, president and CEO of ANA.

Combining United Continental and ANA Flights for Trans-Pacific Travel

The additional fare and schedule options will offer customers more choices and seamless booking on itineraries that combine U.S. flight segments on United or Continental; trans-Pacific segments on ANA, United or Continental flights; and flights within Japan on ANA.

The trans-Pacific joint venture connects 295 U.S. cities, 43 Japanese cities, and 11 routes between the two countries with nearly 120 flights per week. The carriers also are coordinating fares and schedules for travel to and from certain other points in Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean.

Improved Frequent-Flyer Program Benefits

United Mileage Plus and Continental OnePass frequent-flyer members will now receive the same mileage accrual benefits on ANA that they receive on United and Continental flights. Similarly, ANA Mileage Club members now receive the same mileage accrual benefits on United and Continental as they receive on ANA. Additionally, elite-level members of the United, Continental and ANA frequent-flyer programs can accumulate bonus miles on any United, Continental or ANA flight.